I oppose housing at the Historic Poor Farm. I believe all of the land should remain open, be used to grow food for those in need and become a conservation area with lots of public uses. I do not think this land that has been owned by the People of Johnson County for over for over 150 years should be developed and certainly not for private gain.

Please let your thoughts be known at this Open House.

PUBLIC INVITED TO VIEW PLANS FOR HISTORIC COUNTY POOR FARM AT OCT 10 OPEN HOUSE

Johnson County, Iowa — The public is invited to an open house to view proposed plans for the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm on Tuesday, October 10, 5-8 pm, at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, Meeting Room A, 220 South Gilbert Street in Iowa City. Light refreshments will be served.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors hired HBK Engineering and Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development in August 2016 to begin a Master Plan for the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm site. Following a number of focus group meetings and a public input session earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors chose to pursue the proposed “New Century Farm” concept. The planning process is now in Phase Two, and the October 10 open house will provide attendees an opportunity to interact with the consultants and Supervisors and to ask questions about the proposed historic preservation projects, conservation practices, trail locations, public amenities, and farm incubator.

To learn more about the Historic Poor Farm and to see the full report for Phase One of the planning process, please visit www.johnson-county.com/poorfarm.

In 1855, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors procured 160 acres of land on the edge of Iowa City for a “poor farm” to provide systematic care for the poor and mentally ill. The Farm still stands and provides a window on 19th century definitions and policy dealing with perceived social problems. The Johnson County Poor Farm and Asylum Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2014. The designated district includes the farm’s historic barns, a cemetery and adjacent farm ground.

http://www.johnson-county.com/dept_poorfarm_survey.aspx