Our Neighborhood
Welcome to Walnut Neighborhood.
What’s new in the Walnut Neighborhood?
Church Revitalization
415 Collective
415 Walnut St. is an historic church building located in the Walnut Neighborhood and built in 1908 by Architect Clinton P. Shockley. The church, vacant since 2010, was purchased by Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity in 2018 so that the community could begin a visioning process for the renovation and reuse of this iconic landmark. In 2020, interested community members began to dream about this space together. From these conversations, the 415 Collective was birthed. This group is committed to involving the community’s voice throughout the entire process and to work toward a reuse plan that is centered in justice and equity, and is innovative and culturally relevant to Waterloo’s North End.
New Grocery Store
All-In-Grocers
All-In-Grocers Grocery Store will be one of a kind and the only grocery store in Waterloo’s central downtown area. Located in the Walnut Neighborhood next to CVS Pharmacy, All-In-Grocers is making progress on its construction, but due to some subsurface material recently found, the highly anticipated opening has now been set for October 31, 2023. Neighbors and community members, mark your calendars, and in the meantime, continue to cheer on local developer Rodney Anderson as he works diligently to bring a locally owned, quality grocery store to fruition. To read more about the All-in-Grocers story, Visit their website >
History and location
The Walnut Neighborhood is in an historic section of East Waterloo, IA, approximately eight square blocks bordering on the northeast edge of Downtown Waterloo. The boundaries are Franklin Street, E. 4th St., Dane Street and Highway 63. According to the 2020 Census, the neighborhood population is approximately 500 people, ethnically mixed, and there are 274 housing units, with several dating back to the turn of the 20th century. The architectural mixture is large Victorian houses and smaller two story and single story houses intermixed with several new homes constructed by Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Walnut Court Apartments, a grand structure with over ninety senior residents, was built in the 1920’s and remains a pillar in the neighborhood. Along with neighbors who live in Walnut, there are many positive nonprofits, businesses, and churches who add to the charm and promise of the neighborhood.
Walnut Neighborhood Association
Today, the Walnut Neighborhood remains a vital Waterloo neighborhood with an active neighborhood association. The Walnut Neighborhood Association meets monthly on the first Thursday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. at Harvest Vineyard Church, 715 E. 4th St.
The association’s goals include:
Introducing and cultivating positive relationships among Walnut neighbors
Engaging neighbors toward collective action through asset-based community development and mutuality.
Staying connected with the City of Waterloo by sharing news, information, needs, and opportunities that will strengthen both our neighborhood and our community as a whole.
People
People are a neighborhood’s greatest asset! The Walnut Neighborhood is home to long timers and newcomers, homeowners and renters, young and old. Community partners and friends of the neighborhood have also linked arms and lives with neighbors to work for a flourishing community. It has been people and their commitment to join together and to offer their gifts in community that has made the greatest positive difference in the Walnut Neighborhood.
Places
The Walnut Neighborhood is a diverse, mixed-use neighborhood made up of single family dwellings, multi-family rental units, apartment complexes, churches, nonprofits, restaurants, and businesses. The neighborhood sits on the north edge of Waterloo’s Downtown District and has a significant story in the history in Waterloo.
Churches
Ali's Corner, E. 4th St. and Dane St.
Brothers Barbershop, 800 Block E. 4th St.
Chicago Central and Commerce Credit Union, 1005 E. 4th St.
CVS Pharmacy, 205 Franklin St.
Earth’s Beauty Supply, 403 Franklin St. Facebook
2 Scoops Ice Cream, 403 Franklin St. Facebook
Los Reyes Mexican Food, 403 Franklin St. Facebook
Fresh Cutz Barber, 900 block E. 4th St.
IWireless, 325 Franklin St.
EBay Store Antiques-R-Us 123, 619 E. 4th St. Ebay Store
Chuckster's Take-out Restaurant, 801 E. 4th St. Google + Page
Q's Clothing, 518 Dane St.
Speller's True Value Hardware, 1027 E. 4th St. Website
Sayer Law Group, 925 E. 4th St. Website
Cedar Valley Boxing Club Facebook
Walnut Court Apartments Google+ Page
Businesses & Organizations
Non-profit services
House of Hope, Pillars Program, 306 Walnut Street. Website
Boys & Girls Club, 515 Lime Street. Website
Love INC of the Cedar Valley, meets for Begin Now classes at First Presbyterian, 505 Franklin St. Website
Link CCD, 715 E. 4th St. Website
Lily Ferguson Child Development Center, 416 Iowa Street. Website
Housing
Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, The City of Waterloo’s Planning and Zoning and Community Development offices, and JSA Development have become housing champions and collaborative partners in the Walnut Neighborhood. Historic Preservation, critical home repairs alongside homeowners in need, full house renovations, and new home construction have all been happening in the neighborhood over the past 6 years. Local community foundations, businesses, and organizations have all been instrumental in helping to fund these efforts. Community volunteers have been the hands that have raised the walls. Together, we are linking arms and lives for a flourishing community.