Dozens come out to the groundbreaking ceremony for Bondurant's 'Grain District'

The start of a highly anticipated district in the city of Bondurant is coming into fruition following the groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday afternoon.

According to city leaders, the Grain District is expected to serve as a central hub for gatherings, small businesses, and community activities.

“The project transforms a landmark of our history into a centerpiece of our future — proof that innovation and legacy can grow side by side,” said Mayor Doug Elrod.

The plan is to create a walkable, mixed-use destination. The Grain District is set to be 24 acres. According to the city’s website, it will see to the addition of commercial, upper-story residential, and civic spaces.

"We're going to create a community center and an indoor parks and rec facility; an outdoor music amphitheater to host more of these festivals and gatherings," Elrod said.

Elrod told KCCI that there's not a fixed number regarding the estimated cost of the project.

"But we do anticipate more than $100 million worth of private investment opportunities that will come about as part of the entire process," Elrod said.

The groundbreaking was held at 100 Lincoln Street NE. That space and the area surrounding it is the future home of T12 Distillery, Twist, and Farm Boys. All three are locally owned businesses that are the district’s first private investment.

The plan for the T12 Distillery is to transform the city’s concrete grain silos into the only fully wheelchair-accessible distillery in Iowa, according to the T12 Distillery team. The distillery founder, and HRTLND COO, Scott Turczynski is paralyzed from the T12 vertebrae down. Now he’s designing the distillery to be fully inclusive.

“I’ve been to several distilleries and none of them are accessible,” Turczynski said. “There’s always a different way you go to go or you can’t get to the equipment to really see that process, so I’m making sure in our distillery that you don’t see that happen.”

T12 Distillery is expected to open sometime in 2026.

Turczynski said he knows of a couple of hotel flags who are interested in a space in the Grain District that are keeping tabs on development.

KAYLA JAMES, KCCI DES MOINES

PUBLISHED JULY 16, 2025