BONDURANT, Iowa— While many grain bins across the state are sitting empty because of modernized agriculture, the city of Bondurant is turning its historic grain silos into an entertainment district. 

The Silos Commons project is a work in progress now, but by 2027, it will completely transform downtown Bondurant into a regional destination. 

There will be an amphitheater built directly into the silo structure, a 110-foot rock-climbing tower, plus an event space that could host 850 people. 

The Silos Commons is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to downtown Bondurant. 

“We absolutely celebrate our agriculture roots, so it’s a nod to our history and where we’ve been. We want to incorporate that history into where we go into the future,” said Bondurant Mayor Doug Elrod. 

The city raised over $1 million for the project. This sum includes a $749,000 Destination Iowa Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and a $210,000 grant from Prairie Meadows, along with contributions from several local businesses and community members. 

The Silos Commons is part of the larger Grain District in the city. The Grain District is a 25-acre hub in the community center that the city is developing and revitalizing. 

New restaurants and retail shops will be opening alongside the Silos Commons. 

The first private investment project is currently under construction. It’s the T12 Distillery, which will be the first fully accessible distillery in the nation. 

The city is expecting projects like these to bring more than $100 million in private investments. 

The city is currently looking for artists who can help create a mural on the 185-foot-tall silos. 

Construction of the Silos Commons will ramp up in 2026 and will be completely finished in 2027. 

The entire Grain District will take several years until completion.