Southridge Mall

It has been over a month since we announced major changes at the mall.  These changes will be a vast improvement over the current configuration.  check back here to see more details in the coming months.

From Yeader Creek to Easter Lake

You would never be able to tell this was inside the city of Des Moines.  This is from our trip down Yeader Creek into Easter Lake.  We started in Ewing Park.  This area is pretty much the forest primeval with so much potential to really become something special for the citizens of Des Moines.  According to Don Tripp our Parks and Rec director, this area has more raw potential than Grays Lake.

Redevelopment of Southern Meadows Continues to Move Forward

* Work continues  to demolish the existing structure.  With any luck (which we are due for in this project)  we should be ready to demo the building in the fall.  

* We are meeting with the Indianola Hills Neighborhood Association on July 19th at 6 pm at Pioneer Columbus to discuss the redevelopment proposal. 

*  We are ready and able to move forward with the acquisition of the triangle property, which includes the old flag shop.  Once that closes, we'll move forward with the demolition of the structures. 

* Once the neighborhood meeting is completed, we will begin the rezoning process.  Currently it looks like the rezoning will be completed in September.

Great Article about Efforts to Revitalize Ewing Park Lilac Arboretum

Easter Lake Area Neighborhood Association President Jim Bollard featured in Article about Efforts to revitalize Ewing Park Lilac Arboretum.

Ewing Park Lilac Efforts

June 27, 2011 City Council Agenda

Below is the Agenda for the June 27th Des Moines City Council Agenda

http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Agendas/ag20110627.pdf

Details on Blanks Park zoo improvements

Check out the link below to see the details of the blank park zoo improvements and expansion. 

http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/WorkshopDocuments/041111Blank%20Park%20Zoo%20Agreement.pdf

February 28th City Council Agenda

Check out the latest council agenda here:   February 28th Council Agenda.

Ewing Park Lilac Arboretum Upgrade

The Ewing Park lilac arboretum is a tremendous asset For the des moines parks system. This new plan would really revitalize the arboretum and make Ewing Park another great destination on the South Side. Check out the plan.

http://www.dmgov.org/Departments/parks/PDF/EwingParkLilacArboretum.pdf

New Fire Training and Logistics Facility To Be Located On The East Side

The fire department is moving forward with a new training facility that will be located at 2715 Dean Avenue.    Formerly home to Lomar, this property has been vacant for many years.  Read more details about it in the council communication.

http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Communications/11-017.pdf

SE 14th St. Revitalization---Old Godfather's pizza

This is the before picture....

I had the opportunity to stop by the old godfather's pizza on SE 14th street.  The building has been a vacant eyesore along that corridor for many years.  Todd Rettenmeier, a local state farm insurance agent, recently bought the building and is in the process of turning it into his new office space.  It is going to be an outstanding upgrade!

Great work by Pioneer Park Neighborhood and River Woods Neighborhood

Great work by Tim Fitzgerald and Carole Jones

Southern Meadows follow-up

The city was able to purchase several of the properties around the Southern Meadows building.  By doing this, we are able to assemble the property and work with a developer to find the best use of the land.  The Indianola Hills Neighborhood Association will have input in coming up with a master plan for that property.  The purchase also includes the two dilapidated buildings near the overpass.  Hopefully we will get those buildings torn down by the spring.  Read more about it here http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Communications/10-746.pdf

Southridge Mall and Superblock Economic Incentives

At the last council meeting we gave approval to staff to finalize an aggresive economic incentive programs by creating an urban renewal area along the army post corridor from southridge mall to the zoo.  This area could really use the help.  Every week it is inevitable that I get a question regarding southridge mall.  I hope these incentives will help spur economic activity in that area of the city.  To learn more about how an urban renewal district works with the TIF district click below. 

http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Lists/Workshop%20Meetings/Attachments/17/TIF%20Presentation.pdf

Pioneer Park/River Woods crime committee

Excellent meeting this week with River Woods and Pioneer Park neighborhoods. It has been 3 months since we have started our crime task force. We have seen a substantial reduction in calls for service around the apartments around se 22nd st. Great work from apartment managers, des moines pd and the neighborhood associations are the reasons for this reduction.

Fort Des Moines Historic Study

Click here to see the Fort Des Moines Historic Study.
http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Lists/Workshop%20Meetings/Attachments/26/Fort%20Des%20Moines%20Historic%20Study.pdf

Check out crime reports in your area

DMPD has put together a great website to track crime reports in the city.  Check out this website to see

http://mapping.dmgov.org/crimeview/

Zoo plan

Check out the new zoo master plan update.

http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Lists/Workshop%20Meetings/Attachments/18/Zoo%20Council%20Presentation.pdf

The Market District of the East Village

Check out the plans for the market district in the East Village. It is the area just south of the East Village and really shows a lot of potential.


http://www.dmgov.org/Government/CityCouncil/Lists/Workshop%20Meetings/Attachments/21/Lower%20East%20Village%20Urban%20Design%20Study.pdf

Southern meadows

Monday's council agenda is a big step forward for the demolition of the southern meadows property on Indianola ave. The property has been foreclosed on and is a big eyesore. A small but important step foreword.

Se 22nd and park

Success in getting the owner of the Park Forrest apartments in joining the crime free multi-unit housing program. They also agreed to hire an off-duty police officer help.