The section of Nutmeg Avenue in question

The public hearing regarding Nutmeg Avenue becoming a private road north of Richmond managed to fill the Kalona Chamber of Commerce building Wednesday night. Board of Supervisors Chair Richard Young clarified at the start of the hearing, they would not be discussing the Bunker Mill Bridge, which connects the north and south sections of Nutmeg Avenue and caught fire the summer of 2013, but they would only discuss the section of Nutmeg Avenue from 133rd Street north to the bridge.

There were many people attending the meeting in favor of keeping the road open to the public. Representatives from the Amish community, the Friends of the Bunker Mill Bridge group, and other concerned citizens gave their opinions and stories for why the road shouldn’t close. Scott Allen was the first to speak against the closure, “I know that this road was surveyed in 1841. It’s been there since before Iowa was a state, and there’s absolutely no reason that it should be closed. It’s an historic road, it should be part of a trail or a historic road system, not shut down for the use of a private landowner.”

John Canady, who is the property owner who originally requested the road be closed also spoke at the hearing, “I think part of the discussion that needs to be said, is my understanding is the end of Nutmeg has already been vacated. So Nutmeg itself doesn’t run to the river or run to the bridge currently. It’s a dead end road.” Canady went on to say his main concerns are the trash and trespassing that occurs on his property along the road. The supervisors will take all they heard at the public hearing under consideration, and they plan on coming to a decision regarding the road soon.


John Canady, the property owner who originally requested the road be vacated; photo by Joe Cerwinske


Concerned citizen Scott Allen; photo by Joe Cerwinske