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Newly elected officials in Iowa's newest city, Maharishi VedicCity, are making plans to promote tourism, attract businesses, andexpand housing for all income levels.
Formed July 25, 2001, the 950th city in Iowa immediately gainedrecognition for its unique architectural design in the New YorkTimes, CNN, Architectural Record, and scores of other publications.Explains Mayor Bob Wynne, "The entire city is designed according tothe principals of Vedic architecture in order to produce maximumhealth, happiness, and good fortune for those working and living inMaharishi Vedic City."
"We have always planned for at least 5,000 hotel guests andpermanent residents," says Chris Johnson, developer and city councilmember. "We wanted to make it possible for people to come from allover the country. Our goal is to create an environment that the wholefamily can enjoy."
The centerpiece of the planned tourist attractions is MaharishiVeda Land, an indoor family theme park designed by the late DougHenning, the pioneer of magic on television. "Doug spent a lot oftime in Fairfield," says Dee Johnson. "He spent the last 12 years ofhis life planning Veda Land, and he always thought the first themepark built might be right here."
Now the city has raised donations and applied for a state grantthrough the Vision Iowa program to build Veda Land and three otherattractions: completion of the Maharishi Vedic Observatory; a 16-acrebotanical garden and trails featuring native medicinal herbs, organicorchards, and native prairie grasses; and a nine-hole organic golfcourse and learning center.
The city is also working with Jefferson County Supervisors on acountywide initiative to promote tourism. "When guests come to TheRaj from all over the county," says owner Rogers Badgett, "they arereally interested in everything in the area. We take them to see thetown square in Fairfield, the shops, and some of the historicbuildings, but there is so much more to see and do. We are reallyexcited to work with the six other cities in Jefferson County to makeeverything this county has to offer readily available."
Already Maharishi Vedic City has three luxury hotels: The Raj, TheMansion, and The Rukmapura Park Hotel. "We offer housing for alltastes and income levels, with rental houses, suites, villas, andchalets as well as homes and home sites for purchase andconstruction," says Tim Fitz-Randolph, developer of Mandala OneVillage.
"We also encourage businesses to locate here," says Chris Johnson."A favorable economic and tax environment, and high technologycommunications combined with the exceptional life-supporting andsecure environment is a winning combination for employers andemployees. We are willing to help businesses relocate."
