Background Introduction

SECTION 1

Background

1. BACKGROUND

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SE 15TH ST SE 15TH ST E 15TH ST N BACKGROUND and systems potential. This plan is about identifying The hascommunity invested wisely in places that have catalytic 2. Propose frameworks that capitalize onexisting andfuture investment. to focus efforts for futureon theseopportunities downtown downtown, downtown’s leadersneeddefinitionofand direction ofthesignificant investments new thewake in In opportunities. accomplishmentsindowntownRecent openthedoorsfor new 1. Identify future downtown opportunities. outlining thefollowing The collaborative group sector public-private wasinstrumentalin preeminent businessleaders, becameengagedintheproject. Alliance, thedowntown group advocacy steered Moines’ by Des planning projectbecamemore defined,Downtown Community for adowntown planningstudyinlate 2005.As thescopeof andPolk Moines ofDes authorized funding theCity County spirit, Aware ofthisprogress withambitionandprogressive andarmed tainly becomecool.” 2008 Iowa caucuses, that, declaring Moines...has mostcer “Des YorkNew Times to live downtown,” or “It’s a Age’‘Golden for downtown.” Even the in order inthedowntown to take activity,” or “I’d love to findaway recently anddeclared are thatthey time goingto stay longernext downtown Moines,” Des or “Friends from Chicagowere visiting been madeindowntown.” or “I justlove theenergy ofcomingto andwerevisiting lastweekend stunnedby theprogress that’s flowing. start leaders --andthesuperlatives parents “My were --long-timeresidents, withthecity frequent visitors,history civic downtown toMention mostpeoplewhohave Moines Des a downtown investments and/or catalyze further development. -- that support and build on thatwhat support exists now or is weighed inlate in2007uponreturning for the goals oftheplanningeffort: frameworks -- networks networks -

mentum cancontinue. from mo sectors, publicandprivate thishard-earned support exception. “An inmotiontends to object stay inmotion.” With the is findsmany applicationsindailylife; development isno urban complished. The secondlaw ofphysics, thelaw ofmomentum, thatwe areget thepresent ac currently activity experiencing took atremendous stand-still. pushinthelate It 1990’svirtual to 1990’s, theearly In indowntown wasata development activity expand momentum for downtown investment. from thepublicand private and 4. Generate sectors support ofplacesindowntown.experience that greater willincrease connections theuseandenhance the placesindowntown isanticipated thatpeoplefrequent. It growth comes an increased need for creating among connections areas ofdowntown thatwere previously void ofactivity. With this the East Village, Jr. andMLKing Parkway have brought peopleto Moines. Places suchastheIowa Events Center, GatewayPark, thedimensionsthatonceconstituted downtownextended Des This third goalrecognizes recent investments indowntown have between downtown amenities. 3. Develop strategies for buildingsynergy andlinkages places and downtown’s of quality life for live, and play. work, cent investments and, in doing so, fostering ofthe these longevity in the following are sections aimed to the most make of these re Center or as whiz-bang as the Science Center, the proposals found or ofglistening a new copper-clad Central the Events like Library recent $500M in civic investment may not asbe theas sexy likes opment in civic places. While the frameworks that build on the to do; it is not aiming to identify $500M the wave next of devel another way, this goal states what this plan is NOT attempting investments or development beyond the proposal itself. Stated als in this plan is they must have the potential to inspire catalyst presently in downtown. underway The criteria for new propos - - - -

- focus willremain onplanningfor thearea delineated. product may address areas beyond theseboundaries, butthe a mileandquarter. As with mostplanningprojects, thefinal Principaldimension, between Park andI-235measures about east to thewestern endofLocust Street. The widestnorth-south approximately milesfrom two thefoot oftheState Capitol onthe isabout1,600acres andmeasuresThe area withinthisboundary for thework take the Two into account. District Rivers as the District”. Rivers “Two This downtown planningprojectwill exists forknown theareaRivers, southoftheconfluence successes intheseareas. Planning anddevelopment interest and, conversely, downtown hasinterests inthefuture plansand and theState Capitol grounds downtown to theeastallimpact Gray’s Centerwell. Medical to to thesouth, thenorth, Lake Mercy onthemap, are acknowledged as oftheboundary periphery onthe andfutureSignificant stakeholders opportunities edge.eastern sitting onthehilleastsideofdowntown definesthe bluff the edge.forms western The 150-acre State Capitol grounds andwest ofdowntown River forming north theRaccoon rising edgeofthedowntown. ofthesouthern Ahill formsRiver part Rivers.Raccoon Moines and Des confluence ofthe Raccoon The of downtown through boundaries naturaltopography andthe Parkway onthesouth.Geography alsofigures into thedefinition and thefuture Jr. oftheeast-west extension ofMLKing section Jr. ofMLKing section Parkway thenorth-south onthe west, north, edges--1-235on the ofthesouthern western, andaportion downtown area. Transportation definethenorthern, corridors definitivewhichoutlinethe boundaries hasfairly Moines definedontheprecedingwithin theboundaries map.Des The focus ofthedowntown planningprojectlies Moines Des Plan Boundaries

1. BACKGROUND 1. BACKGROUND Introduction two decades since completing the earlier earlier the completing since decades two the in trips consulting and advising periodic through first-hand Moines Des of evolution the experienced he plan, formative this the on work the to years twenty-five back dates that city the with history a has Mario selected. were Architects, Gandelsonas and Agrest firm, his and Gandelsonas Mario downtown. for proposals the and vision the forming in assist would that consultant national the select to was Cownie. committee’stask The first James chairman Partnership Moines Des Greater and Connolly Angela Supervisor PolkCounty co-chairpersons, two and Cownie Franklin Mayor chairman, by led formed, was committee steering A downtown. in pening hap see to like would they what and improved, be could what well, going was what of picture trenches’ a ‘inthe painted insight with stakeholders downtown and developers local Many Plan. the of scope the defining and information base and material background providing to instrumental were Alliance Community Downtown and County, City, the at Staff process. 18-month its of course the throughout Plan this to contributed people Many Plan Process taxable valueindowntown studyarea: $1.2B tallest buildingindowntown: 801Grand(45floors/630’) indowntown: ~200acres parking acres ofvacantlandandsurface spacesindowntown: ~50,000 number ofparking adjacentto downtown area studyarea: ofparkland +1,500acres area indowntown ofparks studyarea: 40acres length ofriversrunningthrough downtown ~1600acres acres indowntown studyarea boundary: downtown workforce: ~70,000workers 1.5%ofmetro residents live downtown residents Hill including~1,800Sherman downtown population:~7,800residents Moines Des Des Moines population: ~200,000; metropolitan area population: ~500,000 Statistics Moines:Quick Downtown Des Des Moines Vision Plan Vision Moines Des . In addition to authoring authoring to addition In . (Des MoinesandRaccoon) (Des (~13% ofCity’s taxbase) Vision Plan Vision (~3% ofarea Moines) inDes . : ~3.25mi.

- ardently supportive of recent downtown accomplishments. accomplishments. downtown recent of supportive ardently and downtown of future the about enthusiastic participants with positive exceptionally was meetings public the at town. tone The down bettering towards work to equipped and inclined is that mass a is there that indicator good a is meetings public of series the for out turned who people of hundreds the by participation robust downtown. The for proposals testing and synthesizing to key were intervals month several at paced sessions input public three meetings, committee steering of series the into Dovetailing downtown. of areas particular and City, the County, the State, the in expertise and interests with people from drawn were members Its Commissions. and Boards of heads and leaders, neighborhood Alliance, Community Downtown the from appointees officials, elected including sectors private and public the from leaders downtown of range a of comprised was committee steering advice. The thoughtful and reactions their offered ideas, raw tested that group the were proposals. They of set its and vision the of formation the oversaw committee steering the of experience seasoned the progressed, project this As - May 15,2007 and ErinOlson-Douglasdeliveringa30-minutepresentationofpreliminaryplanningproposalsfordowntown,dividingtheminto" evening sessiononApril25thandroughly120peoplewereatthelunchtimemeeting26th.ThebeganwithMarioG The secondpublicmeetingforthedowntownplanningprojectwasheldonApril25-26atCentralLibrary.Approximately80p recreation development categories.Attendeesthenself-selectedintooneoffourdiscussiongroupsheadlinedbytopicalareas-- The followingtablesummarizestheprioritiesdevelopedbygroups'discussions: related tothegroup'sspecificsubject,thenspendremaininghalfoftimeprioritizingproposalstheirgrou Input Summar Public Meeting#2 plan material and this input informed the writing of this report. report. this of writing the informed input this and material plan plan’s the the of of drafts aspects discussed Participants proposals. moreparticular on input requested meeting public third the defined, further became plan the in work forAs the downtown. priorities list a with proposals tothe torepond were asked pants were presented.proposals Partici the of drafts where meeting public second fromthe input tions. summarizes below table The ing are distributed in the the in are distributed ing meet public first fromthe input constructive. collecting maps The and well-informed, thoughtful, was at-large public fromthe Input group input priorities list developed from input received from participants at Public Input Meeting #2 #2 Meeting Input Public at participants from received input from developed list priorities commoncommon themesthemes development recreation living downtown movement , andgeneral beauty biking toandarounddowntown connections toneighborhoods transit toandarounddowntown build identityfromwhatisuniqueindowntown: publicart,strongemploymentcenter riverfront development vibrant streetlife transform WalnutStreet parks attractive downtownwithmorelandscaping public art downtown transit-connecteasttowest attractive connectionsbetweenskywalksandsidewalks/i.d.wheretogetin&outof coordination ofevents parks aspartofdowntownculturalarts multi-modal transportationlinkedtoneighborhoods-variousmodesconnectedwithvenues water recreation trail connectivitytodowntown biking indowntown a seriesofthemedparks(likeChessGarden) destination recreation link downtowncoretoneighborhoods retail parks rivers --waterrecreation andwaterfrontdevelopment public art/culturalarts skywalks pedestrian realm location location quality schools pedestrian "feel" transportation (transitandparking) housing typesforfamilies,affordable,rowhouses variety inhousingprices residential parks(family-friendly,dogparks) retail upgrade andconnectskywalkstoshuttle bike-friendly routesandfacilities beautiful, attractive,andaccessibledowntown shuttle downtown priority/issue improve entriestodowntown implement allshuttleroutesinordertoreachdowntownattractionsandnear-byneighborhoods focus ontransitintheeast-westdirection;pedestriannorth-south clear distinctionbetweenDARTandthedowntownshuttle unique downtownretaildevelopment service amenities y (in prioritizedorder) (in prioritizedorder) development Background : Gray'sLanding,SouthofShermanHill,LowerEastSide : CourtAvenue,LowerEastSide,S.ofMLKing,NERiverfront,Gray'sLanding . Groupfacilitatorswereaskedtoallowabouthalfofthediscussiontimeforgeneralresponseproposals , , Movement (Grand Avenue,FleurDrive,1stStreet)

Development (Sherman Hill[pedestrian],Mercy[transitandpedestrian],Drake[pedestrian]) sec -

- - left identifiesthese" in theprioritiesofmultiplegroupdiscussions.The listtothe Regardless oftopicarea,afewproposalsandideas recurred common themes movement p's topic. ." , living downtown eople attendedthe movement" and .5P 4.26NOON 4.25 PM andelsonas x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x session x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x , the inputprocess that graphic description of informed thePlan

INPUT / PRODUCT INPUT OVERSIGHT Community Development Economic Development, City ofDesMoinesstaff: Downtown Community Parks andRecreation, (Public Works, Police, and FireDepartments Alliance (DCA)staff Polk Countystaff,

Engineering, periodically) Technical Steering Committee **steering committee co-chairperson * steering committee chairman Mike Utley, MarcWard, BenWashburn Sarah Oltrogge,JohnRuan, Art Slusark, McCammon, BrianMeyer, MaryO’Keefe, Hurd, KevinJohnson,JoeLeValley, Robb Marian Gelb,ChristineHensley, David Crowell, DannFlaherty, Todd Garner, Mollie Anderson, ChrisColeman,Eric Angela Connolly**,JamesCownie** Mayor FranklinCownie* ,

Parks andRecreation, Urban DesignReview, City of Des Moines, Polk County, Downtown Community Alliance Technical Group Planning &Zoning, Access Advisory Commissions Boards / Rick Clark, Sue Elliott, Mary Lawyer

Project Liaison City Manager’s Office Andrea Hauer real estate developers, and nationalpresence and presentinvestors, with alocal,regional, real estatebrokers, Developers Investors / Erin Olson-Douglas Downtown Plan Agrest and Gandelsonas Architects Mario Gandelsonas house andworkshop combination ofopen session perphase; one publicinput Public forums Moines Community Foundation, Downtown Community Alliance, Greater Des Moines Visitor and Public Library, Science Center, Pappajohn Higher Ed. Center, World Food Prize, Riverwalk, Impact Downtown, Riverfront Sherman Hill Neighborhood, Des Moines School District / major downtown employers Vision Iowa fund recipients: Organization, Greater Des East Village Associations, Downtown Neighborhood Public Arts Commission local design community Court Avenue Business Development Authority Metropolitan Planning Skywalk Association, downtown churches, Iowa Events Center, Moines Partnership, Convention Bureau, City of Des Moines, Methodist Hospital, Downtown School, Stakeholders Des Moines Area Regional Transit, Mercy Hospital, State of Iowa, Civic Center, Polk County, Greater Des Association, Association,

1. BACKGROUND Introduction 1. BACKGROUND Introduction the process ofpreparing thedowntown plan graphic description ofthefour-phase approach to

Erin Olson-Douglas DesMoines? fordowntown Whatisthevision downtown? investmentshaveon recentandfuture Whatimpactdo Planned Conditions

contracted Analyze Existing& summer-fall, 2006 PHASE I –

Agrest + Gandelsonas downtownamenities andfuture Howcanpresent contracted furtherprogress? catalystsfor Whatarethe worktogether? winter 2006-spring007 Develop Planning Frameworks Steering Committee PHASE II Work Session #1

public meeting #1

plan input

–

Steering Committee Work Session #2

Steering Committee develop? Howshouldthey downtown’sfuture? districtsto importantsitesand Whatarethe Develop Site-Specific Work Session #3 spring-summer, 2007

public meeting #2 Strategies PHASE III proposal response

Polk County Supervisors, City Council, DCA Board presentations

–

Steering Committee Work Session #4

City Council & County Supervisors downtown’sfuture? guiding endproductfor meaningful Whatisthemost review Plan Summary and summer-fall, 2007

refer for public comment Prepare Plan PHASE IV public meeting #3 review draft plan

–

Steering Committee Work Session #5 Fort Des Moines

Iowa statehood 1850 The was goalofthisfirst phaseof to gainacomprehensivework some plansthathave notyet beencompleted were considered. so many planproposals have cometo fruition.Proposed ideasin and current plansfor downtown were work reviewed. Amazingly, thesefirst wascompiledduring months.few section Previous inthefollowing ofthematerial Much pagesofthis sulted andoffered theirinsightsandaspirations for downtown. wereunderway, many areas con peoplewithvarious ofexpertise traffic patterns to zoning that regulations tovarious wereprojects gathering. To assembleseemingly desparate information --from The firstphase required atremendous amountofinformation moved forward. meetings. Feedback from theseforums shapedtheideasthat input sessionandcontainedoneormore committee steering bythe planningproject.Eachphasewaspunctuated apublic over4-5 monthslong, thedurationof spacedatequalintervals took a4-phaseapproach,The planningeffort eachapproximately leading upto thiscurrent planningeffort timeline showing evolution ofdowntown Moines Des Des Moines town charter

Iowa capitol moved to Des Moines 1860

Des Moines Public Library opens

1870 present State Capitol built in Des Moines; Saddlery, Hawkey Securities Exchange buildings built on Court

1880

Elliott Hotel and King

1890 electric street cars beginAvenue operation Des Moines annexes towns of: North Des Moines, Greenwood, Sevastapol, and University Place Background

Mercy Hospital opens Ying Low opens on 4th St. 1900

present Polk County Courthouse built - 1910 Civic Center Plan for Des Moines Riverfront

worked to identify those aspects that are key to that are thedevelopment to identifythoseaspects key worked downtown thatcomprise and Districts posals inthevarious The third phasedeployed the grown emerged. andevolved offledglingdistricts into aseries two phases thattheconceptdowntownon thefirst hadnow foraspects emerging areas ofdowntown; itwasthrough thework From theoutset, phaseIIIanticipated identificationofsalient Movement downtown. The result ofthisphaseistheproposals found inthe exists presently andproposing setofcatalyticideasfor anew would propel downtown themostofwhat forward, making about downtown. thisphase, focused work In thinking onwhat The secondphasecontainedthebulkofbig-picture ensuing proposals. vision statement to provide areference point,orthe “test,” for the have recently beenmadeindowntown andprepare acompelling investments that oftheimportant understanding oftheimpacts present City Hall built Iowa Methodist Hospital opens

1920 and

first skyscraper built (Equitable Building) Development Development first parking structure built (Brown Garage) first downtown zoning ordinance 1930 first parking meters, first traffic lights

riverfront wall construction (Des Moines River) sections ofthisPlan. sections

Movement municipal airport opens

1940

Pioneer Memorial Stadium opens

and (now Principal Park) 1950

Development first television broadcast (WOI-TV)

first Des Moines shopping mall opens (Merle Hay) June November 1960 River Hills Urban Renewal Plan pro December

2006: electric streetcar service ends

- MacVicar Freeway (I-235) opens

2005:

City-County-DCA/GDMP first skywalk opens (Penney’s - parking garage) Erin 1970 2006: last passenger rail stop at Rock Island Depot

City Olson-Douglas proposals herewithin. imagination ofdowntown’s leadersandinspires progress onthe downtown. The hopeis thatitalsocaptures theattention and should provide areference for several years ofdevelopment in today’s ambitionsandideasfor ourfuture downtown. It isthelastingdocumentthatcaptures full, theplanreport In ofthePlan. sections Plan, aswell asanintroductionto theideasdiscussedinother ofthe asastand-aloneoverview isintended to serve plan report in thehighlightsofPlan, the beinterested ofpeoplewillprimarily Recognizing thatamajority the ideasthatwere generated throughout theplanningprocess. communicative and accessible would be paramount to advancing phasepresentsThe fourth theproposals inamannerthatis marily foundmarily inthe of eachDistrict. The recommendations from phasethree are pri

first Agrest

of MarriottTIF establishedHotel opens What’s Next, Downtown?

Des 1980 Civic Center opens

and

Skywalk Ordinance Moines

Gandelsonas first downtown condominium (The Plaza)

study

hired Court

and Downtown Plan Composite

1990 to

for Avenue Historic District Planning and Design Guidelines PlanningDistrict andDesign

consultant to

Polk Des Moines Vision Plan serve

downtown conduct

The River Book contracted

County Capitol Gateway East Urban Design Plan

timeline: national Major Projects Area Guidelines to 2000 study. 10-year housing tax abatement enacted

Executive Summary

plan; fund Plan

by Court Vision Iowa funding secured for DSM projects Avenue UrbanTask DesignForce Plan Riverwalk Master Plan 2010 East

ML Village Design Guidelines Western King Gateway Jr. Parkway opens section ofthe section 2020 section. section.

Area Goals and Principles

- 2030

1. BACKGROUND Introduction 1. BACKGROUND Introduction

1904 1910

1912 aspects of development around Gateway Park. The goal is stated assembled this two-page document identifying the important (December, 2005). A group of public sector and business leaders Western Gateway Area Redevelopment Goals and Guiding Principles Iowa Lutheran Hospital locations. downtown drawing on the existing Mercy, Iowa Methodist, and Polk 2030 and retaining trained financial sector employees..” Additionally, that raise the quality of life for all residents and assist in attracting calling for, “...continue[d] support [for] improvements downtown are identified as keya policy in the economic development plan, health of Polk County. “Downtown Des Moines Improvements” Plan recognizes the role that downtown plays in the economic Polk 2030: Polk County Comprehensive Plan eastern landing of the new bridge. Des Moines River, including signature development sites at the capacity. A mix of uses is planned along the Parkway east of the Parkway in order to design the Parkway with appropriate roadway planned land uses along the eastern extension of ML King Jr. a new southeast gateway to downtown. This Study identifies now known as East Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, will serve as however, this portion plays a key role. The Southest Connector, (May 2007). A small portion of this plan deals with downtown, Southeast Connector Land Use Planning and Development Study The following documents provide the base which this Plan builds: We’re from Scratch NotStarting

1916 identifies aMedical District on the north side of : Previous Plans draft (Spring 2006). This

1927

Rediscovering the Rivers: Des Moines Riverfront Master Plan qualify for tax abatement, it must comply with the discourage demolition. In order for Court Avenue development to the bulk, set-back, use, and elevation texture for new construction, Historic Area.” In addition to requirements that address materials, historical and architectural importance of the Court Avenue compatible and strengthens the pedestrian character and the Guidelines Design Guidelines Court Avenue HIstoric Area New Contruction and Rehabilitation Park. resonating as a clear benchmark for redevelopment around the the “minimum average taxable value for a block of $20M/acre” and serve as the basis for economic incentive packages, with The result in added tax base, jobs and increased pedestrian activity. contain large-scale office, retail and residential investments that as: “Development surrounding the Western Gateway Park shall growth.” The current planning effort embraces the broad social, and economic amenity by connecting them to the city’s once again, stating that they should be a “significant recreational, in downtown and aims to bring the city’s Rivers to the forefront the Phase I Riverwalk improvements that are currently underway a riverfront master plan. The an unprecedented move, Principal Financial Group commissioned Guidelines Goals and Guiding 1929 were developed to “ensure that new construction is also identify significant historic buildings in order to (December 1987, updated February 2005). These

Principles Master Plan were adopted by City Council serves as the basis for 1930 Guidelines. (2003). In Riverfront

1939 The history of planning in downtown Des Moines spans over a century from the “Des Moines Business Blocks” (courtesy of Cowles Library at Drake University) to the “City of Certainties” to Civic Art, Industry, and a “Beautiful Waterfront” through Urban Renewal, Skywalks, and Downtown Housing analyzing anumberofideasfor downtown. This Task Force is thatspentaboutayear andpublicsectors leaders intheprivate The Task Force ofalarge wascomprised group ofcommunity these findingswasapivitol pointindowntown’s recent history. Learning, andGrowing” 1998). (July The process thatproduced Major Projects Task Force incorporated and expanded in this current planning effort. downtown -- development, open space, street character -- that are Neighborhood Plan nection with the denser areas of downtown has increased. The on the northwest side of downtown, their desire for greater con man Hill has grown into a more stable, established neighborhood Sherman Hill Neighborhood Action Plan changesindowntown. portation understanding anumberofrecent andplannedtraffictrans asaguideandreference served Moines entire ofDes for city Downtown Traffic Study tion texture -- that are used as the basis for funding incentives. number of requirements -- materials, bulk, set-back, use, and eleva Court Avenue Guidelines, the Eastern Gateway Design prescribe a address the area commonly referred to as the “East Village.” Like the Eastern Gateway Design Guidelines implementing riverfront improvements. Master Plan and calls for study to begin for the next phases of identifies some mechanisms for connecting to 1950’s (May 2002). (May This comprehensive for the findings, Era “A New Downtownfor Living, (May 2003). These Guidelines (February 1999). As Sher

1959 - - - - institutional, and industrial catagories institutional, catagories andindustrial commercial, mixedsupport residential, use, highdensity and generallandusedirectionwithdowntown core commercial, nodes PlanCharacter defineddowntown, identifyingimportant this planoffered avision Moines.Des for theentireof city The Prepared Plan Moines andZoning by theDes Commission, Character Moines2020Community Des Plan are proving progress to becatalystsfor further inthearea. initiatives well onitsway to thegoalanditsparticular achieving Locust Streets. theten years sincetheplan,East In Village is Terraces landscape, andbuildingrenovations atE.5thand lotredevelopment,improvements, Hallparking City West Capitol and outlinedfour catalyticinitiatives: E.Locust Street downtown into a diverse,“thriving, neighborhood desirablecity 1997). agoalofrevitalizingThis theeastsideof plansetforth Moines:Capitol Plan Gateway EastDes UrbanDesign indowntown. underway Center. oftheseprojectshave Most beenaccomplishedorare Children’s Place, Hoyt Museum, Sherman andChineseCultural improvements, downtown publiclibrary, Iowa CHILDproject, center, GatewayEast, West, Gray’s riverfront Lake, science center, center, learning andresearch food policy publicevents center, Avenue District, Court Entertainment downtown investments including:adowntown neighborhood, in downtown, withaunited voice recommended they of aseries therecent accomplishments creditedoften withjump-starting 1962 (August 2000): (September development canbegiven outstandingmerit.” to beeasilyremembered. phaseofits Without greatevery effort, -- thenoffers,Moines isdifferent “Des enough from othercities landscaping, streets, the “dignity” ofGrandAvenue, itsciviccenter --itsbuildings, Moines therivers,graciously Des describes homes, ago.offers He adelightfulglimpseofdowntown acentury nearly planner, 20thCentury 1927 by famedearly Bartholomew Harland to guidedowntown Moines. Des The Finally, itwould beremiss planknown notto mention theearliest onever since. working --thatdowntown hasbeen Gateway Park, andtheRiverwalk downtown asEast projectsthatareknown now known Village, the City,” Brick “Red “Central Park,” and “Civic Center,” --thewell- town.” The areasprocess focusingindown ofrivitalization, onimportant downtown through for Moines acontinuing inDes thesuburbs] “The downtown, recognized by oneoftheopeninglinesreport: prepared by Agrest andGandelsonas, wasawatershed pointfor MoinesVisionPlan WorkbookThe Des the groundwork for future downtown improvements. ofthisplanlayedhow policies andprojectsproposed asapart to thisreview, planspertinent one oftheearly see onecanclearly Downtownoutlined inDestination have beenaccomplished. As other plansfor downtown, animpressive numberoftheinitiatives Downtown Destination Vision Plan Vision Plan attempts to reverse [to abandon thetendency identifiedseveral areas” “important such as (December 1995).As (December withanumberof

1978 (1994). The document, Civic Art Report Civic Art written in written -

1985

1. BACKGROUND Introduction 10 1. BACKGROUND Introduction side ofdowntown River. alongthewest Moines sideoftheDes 1950’s Veteran’s Auditorium andislocated Memorial onthenorth with adjoiningmeetingfacilities. the incorporates The facility space includinga16,000-seat arena and100,000 SFexhibithall Iowa and convention Events Center $217Mperformance -anew Cultural: Total investment = $150M Street with associated structured parking. of corporate office buildings built in two phases along Walnut Wells Fargo Financial - over seven hundred thousand square feet Total investment = $280M* Park with associated parking structures south of the Park. office buildings completed in three phases located along Gateway Allied / Nationwide - nearly a million square feet of corporate Commercial: largest investments include(by sector): restaurants, retail, ofsheerquantity, terms andhousing. In the in commercial real estate, aswell aspersonalinvestments in east, andwest. commitments corporate They includeenormous ofdowntown corner --center, every touch south, nearly north, residential, parks, cultural, andinfrastructure. These investments span thegamutofuses--commercial business, medical, retail, have andahalfbilliondollars($2.5B). two surpassed They Since theyear investments 2000,publicandprivate indowntown Recent DowntownRecent Investments Science CenterScience ofIowa -110,000square foot sciencecenter with Total investment: $16M* forcollection placementinthe Park. the donationofworld-renowned Pappajohn sculpture Education Center.Higher Creation ofthe Park recently inspired Central Library, Temple for andthePappajohn Performing Arts, Park hostssomedevelopment includingcivicusessuchasthe downtown into additionto openspace. opengreen In space, the Gateway Park -redevelopment offive blocksonthe west sideof Total investment: $60M* to overwill connect 300milesofCentral Iowa trails. crossing andanew bridge above theCenter Street dam. The trail railroad aconverted bridges: completed pedestrian by new two level promenade, arecreational trail, andpublicart. The loopis Principal Park nodes, ofplazas,astreet withaseries activity theIowa between Events Center and Riverfront Moines loopalongthe Des -1.2milepedestrian Principal Riverwalk Parks andRecreation: British architect, David Chipperfield. Total investment = $32M with a library green roof in Gateway Park designed by renowned Moines riverfront with a 110,000 square foot glass and copper-clad Central - replaced Library thePublic Beaux Arts on the Library Des Parkway at4thStreet. Total investment =$60M rotating exhibitsandIMAX Jr. theater located alongMLKing * town in a few short years. small investments have amounted to significant changes in down estate represents a significant investment in downtown. Big and new downtown residents who rented apartments or bought real town to over 300 miles of regional trails. Each decision by the 3000 planned central Iowa trails allowing connections through down makes on downtown as this ~$2M investment links existing and Consider the impact that the John “Pat” Dorrian Trails network are able to attract workers or executives opt for downtown offices. downtown, but they contribute to the reasons that corporations or retail shops may not appear on a list of expenditures made in work and play in downtown. Restaurants or entertainment venues through indirect support of the the experiences for those who live, lution of downtown, through direct economic contribution and/or projects, there are many others that contribute mightily to the evo These top the list in terms of dollar investment. For each of these eastward anticipated infuture phases. Total investment =$130M* Street expansion isplannedfor completionin2012withfurther River.Moines andParkway to bridge E.6th extension Anew sideofdowntown Fleursouthern connecting Driveto theDes Luther Jr. King onthe Martin Parkway multi-laneparkway -new edgeofdowntown. northern I-235 -$469Mreconstructionofthefreeway runningalongthe Infrastructure: denotes thattheproject isnotyet completed, soinvestment total could change - - - investments since 2000 map ofdowntown

21ST ST

FLEUR DR Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy

COTT 20TH ST GROVE AGE Meredith TRL LEYNER ST

20TH ST CROCKER ST AV

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19TH ST 19TH ST 19TH ST

FLEUR DR

GRAYS LAKE TRL GRAYSLAKE 18TH ST 18TH ST OLIVE AVE

18TH ST ATKINS ST ASCENSION ST INGERSOLL AVE WOODLAND AVE SCHOOL ST

PLEASANT ST 17TH ST 17TH ST CENTER LINDEN ST HIGH ST

DAY ST ST

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PARK ST

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WABASH ST

BRIDAL ROW 16TH ST 16TH 15TH ST SW 16TH ST ASCENSION ST

15TH ST 15TH 14TH PL LINDEN OAKRIDGE DR OAKRIDGE

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FAL

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SW 14TH ST KEOSAUQUA

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WAY 13TH ST 13TH 12TH ST PLEASA

TUT 12TH ST 12TH PL

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NT ST NT

12TH ST 12TH

METHODIST 11TH ST 11TH

11TH ST 11TH ST DR

CHESTNUT ST CHESTNUT

LAURELST

SCHOOL ST SCHOOL DAYST

Meredith TRL

I-235 PLEASANT ST PLEASANT

I-235 10TH ST 11 10TH ST TH ST TH

HIGH S

GRAND

LOCUST ST

T 10TH ST 10TH AVE WAL

9TH ST MULBERRY S SW 11 SW

NUT ST PL 8TH TH ST TH

CHERRY ST 9TH ST 9TH

T 8TH ST 8TH ST

8TH ST 8TH WAT

MTA LN 7TH ST ST CROCKER

SCHOOLST

CENTER ST CENTER

PARKST SW 9TH ST 9TH SW POWELL SON

MORGAN ST P 7TH ST 7TH

6TH AVE

JR WAY JR

W Martin Luther King Jr. Pa SW 8TH ST 8TH SW

P 11 ST 6TH

5TH AVE DAY ST 5TH AVE

LAUREL ST

SW 7TH S 7TH SW

T SW 9TH ST 9TH SW ELM ST

TUTTL rkway

WAG ST 5TH MURP

E ST NER ST

SW 6TH ST 6TH SW 4TH ST

INDIANOLA ST HY 4TH ST 4TH ST 4TH

RD MARKET 3RD ST

SW 5TH ST 5TH SW COURT AVE

3RD ST 3RD

CENTER ST ST 4TH SW

DEPO

3RD ST 3RD SW 4TH ST 4TH SW ST

T ST P

2ND AVE

2ND AVE 2ND Meredith TRL Meredith W RIVER

Future Pedestrian SW 3RD ST 3RD SW

COLUM Bridge

SW 2ND ST 2ND SW

VINE S WAT GRAND AVE

Line Dr Line ST ER BUS AVE BUS

MARKET ST SW 2N LOCUST S

SW 1ST SW D ST

WAL ILLINOIS ST S T

ELM ST NUT ST

T EDISON AVE EDISON COURT AVE Robert D Ra

SW 1ST

Line Dr DR Riverside y Dr

ST LIVIN INDIANOLA AVE INDIANOLA

Meredith TRL GSTON

SW 1ST S

AVE

T ST 1ST E

SOUTH UNION ST ST 2ND E SW W SW

MAPLE ST

E 2ND ST 2ND E

Clay

E E E

ATE E 2ND ST 2ND E

DISON AVE DISON AVE R ST R

E DUNHA E SE 1ST

E 4TH ST 4TH E

E GRA E

M A M

E JACKS E NGER

E 3RD ST 3RD E VE

SE 2ND LIVI E ST 2ND SE

AVE ST A ON SE 2ND DEAN ST

CT A NGSTON

SE 3RD ST 3RD SE

E 4TH ST 4TH E LYO

VE E 5TH ST 5TH E EI235 DES M E 6TH ST SE 2ND N ST

SE 3RD ST 3RD SE E GRAN

OINES VAN BUREN ST BUREN VAN

SE 3RD ST E LOC WALKER ST

ST D AVE

E W

SE 4TH S 4TH SE E 7TH ST

UST ST T E 5TH ST 5TH E ALNUT ST

E COURT AVE E 7TH ST 7TH E

E VINE E MARKE ST 6TH E

SE 4TH ST ST 5TH SE ST E ELM ST P

T ST

SHAW ST PENN BUCHANAN ST

SYLVANIA AVE SYLVANIA ST WALKER E 7TH ST 7TH E

E 8TH ST

SE 5TH ST E MARKET ST

E ELM ST

E 9TH ST 9TH E SE 7TH ST 7TH SE

E 10TH ST 10TH E

SE 6TH ST ST 11TH E RACCOON ST KASS

BUCHANAN ST ON ST ON

WALKER ST SE 8TH ST 8TH SE

SCOT

MAPLE ST

E 11 E

TH ST TH T AVE ST 9TH SE

MAUR 12TH E ST

Y ST INFRASTRUCTURE CIVIC OPEN SPACE KEY: RESIDENTIAL

SE 8TH ST COMMERCIAL

VAL SE 9TH ST 9TH SE

SE 10TH 10TH SE E GRANGER AVE ST 13th E

E ST Investment ST

ALLEN ST Investment Investment Investment

under $25M under $25 -50M $50 -75M $75M +

under $25M $25 - 50M $50 - 75M $75M + ST 10TH SE

under $25M under $25 -50M $50 -75M $75M + SHA under $25M $25 - 50M $50 - 75M $75M +

under $25M under $25 -50M $50 -75M $75M + Investment ST DEY

W ST

E 13th S 13th E EI235

E RAILROA

SE 1 SE

1 TH ST TH

D AVE

E 13th 13th E

SE 1 SE 3TH ST 3TH

WALKER ST 0' ST 13 SE Au g ust 28,2006

200'

Conditions Existing (since 2000) INVESTMENT RECENT

SE 13T SE H ST H

E GRA

E EDISON EDISON E SE 14TH ST SE 14TH ST CAPIT

NGER AVE 1. BACKGROUND OL E RAILROA JOHNSON CT 400'

AVE AVE

HAR Introduction SE 14TH CT SE 14TH CT

D A

RIETT ST

LYO

N ST E GRANGER A GRANGER E SE 15TH ST SE 15TH ST

SHAW ST

SE 15TH CT VE

800' SE 15TH CT

SE ASTOR ST