Imagine More
FAQs
What is Imagine More?
Imagine More is a shared, future-focused initiative between Central College and the City of Pella to deepen collaboration and expand what’s possible, together. Building on more than 173 years of connection, Imagine More focuses on developing more intentional partnerships in areas like learning and internships, entertainment and cultural enrichment, housing, employment and volunteering, and local services, all thoughtfully coordinated and designed to strengthen both our college and our community.
How do residents of Pella benefit from Imagine More?
Thoughtful collaborative efforts like Imagine More support local businesses, attract and retain talent for local businesses and industries, increase housing availability, and create more opportunities for connection and enrichment across the community. The goal is long-term vitality for both Central and Pella. For decades, Central has brought energy, talent and economic impact to our community. Students work, volunteer and engage locally, while residents, visitors and events support local businesses. Imagine More builds on that momentum to strengthen our shared quality of life and our community’s economic vitality.
How does Imagine More enhance the Central College student experience?
Flexible housing options enhance the entire student experience, especially those with more options that offer greater independence. Apartment-style living creates opportunities for students to take that next step toward preparing to live on their own, while still staying closely connected to campus, friends and resources. At the same time, Imagine More expands what it means to learn at Central. By strengthening connections between our campus and our community, students gain greater access to internships, jobs, service opportunities and everyday experiences that happen beyond the classroom. Together, these efforts create a more connected, flexible and real-world college experience — one that supports students both where they live and how they learn.
Why now?
Across our nation, higher education is navigating rapid change — from shifting student demographics and declining enrollments to new workforce expectations. College and university communities of every size are facing similar challenges. Central College and Pella are no exception. To address immediate challenges and position our college and our community for the brightest possible future, this moment calls for new living and learning ideas for college students and for the communities they call home nine months every year. Imagine More builds on our strong college+community partnership and rethinks how Central and Pella can work smarter together, sharing resources and focusing on what matters most so we can all continue to thrive in what promises to be an ever-changing landscape. For the purposes of this FAQ, we’re focusing on Imagine More’s housing dimension. If you’d like to explore the full breadth of the initiative, click here.
What kind of new housing is being suggested for Pella?
Imagine More is open to exploring a wide range of housing possibilities that our community needs — every option imaginable from apartments and row houses to multi-family and standalone houses and everything in between. All are on the table for discussion, and all new construction will focus on enhancing livability, accessibility and nourishing stronger connections among campus and community residents. But projects on the college campus primarily will serve both students and young professionals. The goal is to create thoughtful options that benefit the broader housing ecosystem in our community, not just one group. Like many individuals, students and young professionals are interested in having a variety of living options and choices available to them. While some desire to buy homes, others prefer apartments, condos, modern amenities and a location close to downtown as they start their young adult and professional lives. Local businesses and housing studies have identified this to be a high priority.
Necessarily, any new housing options built to replace existing student residences on campus will house Central students. It’s feasible Central will need to house approximately 500 students. Developers who invest in the housing project may want to create up to 800 additional spaces. These projects would be spread over 35 acres of land. All residential projects will focus on enhancing livability, accessibility and connection between our campus and our community. Some preliminary planning suggests 1,350 units could occupy the property area defined in the approved urban renewal plan but all future development plans are subject to city code and zoning. Both the City of Pella and Central College are committed to ensuring that the total number of units will be appropriately sized for the land available.
What is the urban renewal plan?
The urban renewal plan mentioned above was approved by City of Pella’s Planning and Zoning Department on July 7, 2026, and defined an area of the community (primarily on Central’s campus) to be eligible for redevelopment. Specific building locations will be shared as plans are finalized. All the land that could be developed would be on Central-owned land (and will remain under Central ownership). Two of the three required City Council readings have occurred to pass an ordinance to explore and define funding eligibility for potential urban renewal-qualified projects, including TIF (tax increment financing). The availability of financing like TIF is very important information for potential developers as they consider concept plans and choose whether or not to submit proposals for consideration. More than a dozen additional future steps, most of them open to public input, are required in both City and College planning processes before any building projects will be approved. As such, many answers are unknown at this moment. However, answers will unfold over time throughout the process as specific details come into sharper focus. The City of Pella is planning two educational sessions on TIF Sept. 3 and Oct. 15. The 3rd reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Nov. 3 at the City Council meeting. Future steps include issuing developer RFPs and bringing developer plans back to the City Council for review and discussion. Again, there will be many opportunities for public input throughout the process. As always, members of the City Council and Central College’s administrative team are eager to receive your questions.
What is the timeline for the housing development aspect of Imagine More?
While conceptual drawings of the project may suggest otherwise, the housing development aspect of Imagine More is in the very early planning stages. No decisions have been made. No plans are final. No developers have been selected. City-approved development will happen over time, potentially starting with work as early as the summer of 2027. Updates will be shared broadly with our community via appropriate City Council and City of Pella meetings and announcement, along with Central College announcements, as projects within the larger development plan move from concept toward implementation.
How will approved construction projects be funded?
Above all else, Imagine More emphasizes partnership. That means Central College is open and eager to explore a mix of funding models — including private investment, strategic partnerships and philanthropic support — rather than relying solely on college resources.
Will local businesses, organizations and individuals have opportunities to be part of these construction projects?
Yes. A key goal is to create opportunities for local partnerships — whether through retail and services spaces or participation in new developments. Preserving all that makes Pella distinctive is a priority. Any development will be approached with care, with an emphasis on complementing our community’s charm, heritage, character, scale and values.
What if you couldn’t tell where Central College ends and the City of Pella begins?
Through Imagine More, Central and the City of Pella are working together to strengthen our shared future — aligning campus planning, community priorities and new opportunities for growth.
This shared vision brings new energy and intentionality to how we learn, live and work — rethinking how we use our spaces, resources and partnerships to create opportunities that benefit both Central and Pella, now and for the future.
A World of Possibilities
The Imagine More initiative builds on our comprehensive campaign — World of Good — and is focused on building partnerships that will allow us to serve our students and our community in new ways.
Partnership Areas Learn About the Campaign A World of Good
Partnership Areas
Central launched Maytag Marketplace, which includes an on-campus convenience store with must-have items as well as grab-and-go food and beverages for students and Pella residents alike.
Food is integral to the college’s residential life and overall experience. In addition to the existing meal plans, Central introduced Big Red Bucks. This means students’ dining dollars and dining options extend beyond Central’s campus to participating restaurants in the area, stimulating our local economy.
Pella is growing — and with that growth comes a need for more housing. Through Imagine More, Central College is part of the solution.
By thoughtfully reimagining how portions of college-owned land can be used, Central and the City of Pella are exploring the development of approximately 1,000 new rental units — including apartments, row houses and other options designed to support both students and local residents.
This approach helps create a more walkable, connected community while addressing workforce housing needs and supporting continued economic growth. It also aligns with broader city and county plans, forming the foundation of the Imagine More Community Urban Renewal Plan — a collaborative effort to use land, resources and partnerships in ways that benefit the entire community.
Central is committed to being more intentional in our partnerships for program and activity development. We want to ensure the public knows what’s going on at Central and feels welcome on our campus whether it’s for an event or a walk on a beautiful day! We are also working toward making sure our students know about the amenities, events and resources in our wider community through programming and campus messaging.
Central and Pella are strengthening partnerships across the full educational spectrum, from K-12 through higher education and beyond. Students gain meaningful, real-world experience through our local partners while also contributing to the region.
At the same time, Central is exploring new academic programs and learning enrichment opportunities that build on faculty strengths and respond to emerging needs — including pathways for graduate education, expanded access through transfer partnerships and online course offerings for students and community members.
The arts will also play a central role. By investing in new and reimagined spaces for creative expression, Imagine More envisions a vibrant arts presence that brings together campus and community — supporting performances, programs and experiences that enrich life in Pella for all.
Handshake is a platform designed to provide college students with access to meaningful career opportunities. Now, not only can students use the tool to find internship and career opportunities, they can also secure employment on campus or in the community.
This extends area businesses and retailers the opportunity to fill openings and work with Central students in part-time and other positions. The platform is now a one-stop-shop for students looking to work, find a great internship, volunteer in the community or all three!
Not everyone knows this, but Central is a nonprofit. The programming, scholarships and opportunities we provide our students are deeply rooted in donor support. As we move into our comprehensive campaign — World of Good — we look to do good through our partnerships and look to our partners to do good so that more students can receive a Central education, open doors of opportunity and do great things in our world.
It’s Central to Pella
More than 10% of Pella residents are Central alumni. That percentage grows even more substantially when you factor in current and past parents of students and employees of the college. Central has had a large impact on Pella and vice versa. Let’s work together to do good in our community and our world.
Learn More About Pella
Ready to Imagine?
To be part of MORE here in Pella, contact Carol Williamson, Central’s director of Imagine More, at 641-628-7667 or williamsonc@central.edu.
You can also contact the Advancement office at 641-628-5154 or development@central.edu.