50+ Lifestyles

The Hilltop Campus Village Celebrates its Fifth Anniversary

Five years ago this month, the Hilltop Campus Village became a Main Street Iowa District designated as an Urban Commercial Neighborhood. The Hilltop Business Association had been active in the area for a number of years, working at revitalizing the economic and residential area north of 6th Street and the Harrison / Brady corridor.

Then in 2009, under the tutelage of Scott Tunnicliff, Main Street Iowa accredited the area. The new name became Hilltop Campus Village, and the area expanded from 6th Street north to Lombard Street, and Perry west to Ripley. The boundary goes to Gaines Street to include St. Ambrose University.

The Hilltop Campus Village is a great place to live, worship and get an education. There are single-family dwellings, apartment houses and complexes, and the newly opened Harrison Lofts. The places to worship range from old architecture, traditional churches to modern buildings or expanded spaces with a more contemporary feel. The education includes Madison Elementary, J B Young Intermediate, Central High School, Palmer College of Chiropractic and St. Ambrose University.

But the Hilltop Campus Village is also a Destination Station. Eateries abound, ranging from bakeries and coffee shops, take-outs or drive-ins to sit-downs and a more formal bistro. Shopping includes quaint and mod clothing stores, antique and collectible shops, furniture stores, wigs and hats and hair boutiques. Services include legal, medical, dental, eye-care, insurance, car care, and mortuary.

But, ohhh, the activities that have been put in place over the past five years! The Fifth Annual Fall Music Festival will take place this September. The Second Annual Alter Crawl was this past May with big plans for another one next May. Smaller groups are using the Hilltop Park and other green spaces. Central High Students have planted gardens to enhance the neighborhood.

The Hilltop Campus Village has received recognition from Main Street Iowa. And with the continuing vision towards the future, Central High School has unveiled its plans for a new auditorium, athletic area and swim pool.