Campustown Action Association, a neighborhood advocacy group recently restarted by students, held elections at its April 1 meeting and transferred leadership of the organization to local business people.

“I think it’s a big step for CAA, and the fact that we now have business leadership,” said Chandra Peterson, president of the Campustown Student Association, who helped refound the group. “I think that it sends a strong message to the city and the university saying, ‘Hey, we’re in it for the long haul. We’re ready to make a difference in Campustown.’”

Peterson said that transition to business leadership will inspire confidence, since those businesspeople will be in Campustown longer than students will.

“I think that it gives it a lot more longevity and sustainability and it’s easier for the city to support it,” Peterson said.

John Haila, owner of Haila Architecture, was elected president; Matthew Goodman, city councilman and owner of Smiles & Gyros, The Fighting Burrito and Battle’s Bar-B-Q was elected vice-president and Daniel Brown, owner of the Singer Station, was elected secretary and treasurer.

Peterson will continue on with the organization as past-president.

“I see it somewhat as an advisory role,” Peterson said. “I see myself being a very active past president.”

With elections complete, the focus is now on laying down the foundation for the group.

“We need to start figuring out what dues are going to be, things like that,” Peterson said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Haila said the group is currently drafting a constitution and bylaws.

“One of the first steps is to finalize the bylaws,” Haila said. “Part of the bylaws is going to include the purpose of the organization — the vision, the mission.”

Haila said the organization will also take a look at existing long-range plans for Campustown, and will start gathering input for the future of the neighborhood.

“It’s going to be a group effort, not just one person’s effort or one person’s vision,” Haila said.

Every group represented in the neighborhood should have the opportunity to give input on what Campustown should be.

“Everyone means everyone inclusive,” Haila said. “It’s not just about the business people, or the students, or Iowa state. There’s a lot of residents.”

Haila and Peterson both know much work remains to be done, but hope the organization will gain momentum once it starts rolling.

“When things start happening, and things become successful, people get behind it,” Haila said.