
Economic Growth Corporation’s $16.5 million Wilson Lofts redevelopment in downtown Clinton, Iowa, received a “Preservation at its Best Award” from Preservation Iowa in recognition of that Adaptive Reuse/Mixed-Use Development.

The award was handed out at the 2024 Preserve Iowa Summit earlier this month in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to representatives of Rock Island-based GROWTH and its architect, RDG Planning & Design.
The firm nominated the project for the Preservation Iowa award and played a pivotal role in transforming Wilson Lofts, GROWTH President and CEO Briam Hollenback said.
According to RDG’s website, the preservation award for the downtown Clinton project “recognizes the successful conversion of a historic structure for a new or compatible use while retaining its architectural integrity.”
RDG said, for example, its design preserved key historical elements in the original building including the original JCPenney sign and antique chifforobe, while integrating modern amenities and sustainable design features.
Lofts a Clinton catalyst
“Beyond its architectural significance, the Wilson Lofts have catalyzed economic and social revitalization in downtown Clinton,” the firm said. “The inclusion of residential spaces and business incubators within the development has spurred local investment and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the project’s role in stimulating community engagement and pride. This underscores the broader impact of such projects in rejuvenating urban centers, creating vibrant spaces where history and innovation converge.
Mr. Hollenback also shared his thanks for the Preservation Iowa award with the project’s team on LinkedIn.
“The Wilson Lofts is a major redevelopment milestone for GROWTH and is the result of a collaborative planning effort spanning nearly 10 years that required hard work, determination, resilience, and coordination by many partners,” he wrote.
“We’ve been extremely fortunate to have built a strong team of partners that believed and trusted in each other and believed and trusted GROWTH to get it done,” he added.
“Working with a strong development team and collaborating closely with our architect, RDG Planning and Design, ensured that we remained true to our mission by preserving the most prized elements of the Wilson Lofts and highlighting them throughout the development. With GROWTH’s strong track record of historic preservation and adapting mixed-use developments to their highest and best use, we are very proud to stand together on this effort with them.”
The project resulted in 33 new residential units and the creation of two business incubators, Clinton Culinary and Makers on 5th.
Team of partners
The Clinton project development team that made all that happen, Mr. Hollenback said, included:
- Economic Growth Corporation
- Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, P.C.
- Bush Construction
- RDG Planning & Design
- Home Base Property Management, LLC
GROWTH’S funding partners on the project were:
- American Bank & Trust
- BankORION
- Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation
- City of Clinton, Iowa
- Clinton County Development Authority
- Clocktower Tax Credits LLC
- Downtown Clinton Alliance
- Enhanced Capital
- Five Points Community Capital
- Grow Clinton
- IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union (IHMVCU)
- Iowa Economic Development Authority
- Urban Action Community Development (Cross Street Partners)
- U.S. Bank
“Thank you to all who believed in our vision,” Mr. Hollenback told those partners in his post. “Together, we continue to shape vibrant, sustainable communities.”