1,300+ NEW DOWNTOWN HOUSING UNITS
The 2020 census population counted 11,648 downtown residents. That could surge soon, as more than 200 new downtown housing units are slated to go on the market this year, bringing a wave of fresh opportunities and vibrancy to our city. For 2025 and 2026, more than 1,100 new rental and owner-occupied units are scheduled for completion.
The City considers “downtown” bounded on the north by I-235, on the south by the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, on the east by East 14th Street, and on the west by ML King Parkway. Unofficially, many residents consider housing along the south bank of the Raccoon River as part of downtown.
Here’s what the City’s Development Services knows about, with project name, location, and developer.
MARIJUANA DIVERSION MAKES AN IMPACT
In mid-June, I listened to Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham's presentation at the Grubb YMCA about the first-year successes of a marijuana diversion program. Rolled out in March 2023, the initiative impacts first-time offenders charged with low-level marijuana possession that doesn’t include an additional indictable offense such as weapon possession or domestic abuse.
As of mid-May, Polk County had dismissed 327 simple possession charges, with only 25 new charges: a clear sign of the program’s success and positive impact. Linn County has a similar diversion program.
Graham’s chief of staff, Lynn Hicks, explained to me that the county would dismiss the charge and recommend that the court expunge it after the individual completes a substance abuse evaluation (around $200; paid by individual) and all its recommendations, including treatment; signs a simple deferred prosecution agreement; and appears at all court dates. There are additional details. A guilty plea averages about $1,000; signing the agreement saves the individual about $800.
The biggest benefit, Lynn told me, is not having the marijuana charge on your record. “A marijuana charge affects student loans, housing, employment, and more,” he pointed out.
Des Moines residents represented 48% (114) of the charges. Interestingly, the Des Moines Police Department made fewer than 10% of the arrests (31 total). Records show that our neighboring police departments tallied more simple marijuana possession arrests: West Des Moines (20%), Urbandale (15%), and Ankeny (13%).
Nearly 32% of those arrested identified as Black; census records show 7.8% of Polk County residents as Black.
VOLUNTEERS MAKE A GOOD EVENT GREAT
The 27th Annual Des Moines Arts Festival®, presented by Nationwide in late June, wrapped up another incredible three-day event. It featured nearly 200 incredible artists (900 applied), terrific free music, and unbelievable weather.
However, the secret sauce for this and any successful event is volunteers. According to Stacey Nay, in her fourth year as a volunteer coordinator, 619 individuals signed up for tasks from setup to tear-down and a dizzying list of duties in between—2,579 volunteer hours in total.
Artists laud the Des Moines event's “artist relations team” for walking lap after lap around the vendor tents, asking whether the artists need water, lunch, or a bathroom break. “No one does it better,” several artists reported.
“It’s no cliché to state we can’t do it without our volunteers,” Arts Festival executive director Stephen King told me. “And ours are the best in the country. It’s not just my accolade; I hear it over and over and over again from exhibiting artists, sponsors, food vendors, and our guests. We are very grateful for their time and talents.”
It's hard to top this: This year’s volunteer army included four individuals—Al Burrows, Denny Becker, Julia Whetstone, and Julie Williams—who have volunteered for 20 years or more.
At the Arts Festival’s Preview Celebration in May, the organization honored Melissa Winters, 15-year volunteer, and four 10-year volunteers: Sally Corcoran, Stephanie Pearl, Kate Steffen, and Kurt Weakland. They also recognized Peggy Cokeley, Natalia Espinosa, Andrew Tincher, and Kayla Wagener as five-year volunteers. Each received a handsome plaque.
SERVICE OUTSIDE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
I represent the City Council on the Arts Festival Foundation board. My duties include year-round quarter meetings and the Arts Festival weekend. This year, I also worked two afternoon shifts as a greeter, which would look fabulous if I applied to Walmart!
All council members serve on numerous boards and commissions, educating us in everything from homeless issues and wastewater to selecting the next new public art installation and the Broadway series. Here are boards and commissions with council representation.
· Mayor Connie Boesen: BRAVO Board of Trustees, Central Iowa Water Trails, Des Moines Area Regional Transit (alternate), Des Moines Performing Arts, Downtown Community Alliance, Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greater Des Moines Partnership (executive committee), Invest DSM, Metropolitan Advisory Council, Metropolitan Coalition, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Polk County Conference Board, Walnut Creek Watershed Management Authority, Warren County Economic Development Corporation, Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) Management Agency.
· Chris Coleman: Des Moines Area Regional Transit (primary), Homeless Coordinating Council, Metropolitan Planning Council, Metropolitan Planning Organization.
· Joe Gatto: Central Iowa Water Trails (secondary), Fourmile Creek Watershed Management Authority, Metro Wastewater Authority (primary), Metropolitan Planning Organization, Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) Management Agency.
· Josh Mandelbaum: Downtown Community Alliance, Greater Des Moines Partnership, IMPACT Community Action Partnership, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Polk County Housing Trust Fund.
· Mike Simonson: BRAVO Board of Trustees, Des Moines Art Center, Metropolitan Advisory Council.
· Carl Voss: Blank Park Zoo Foundation, Des Moines Arts Festival, Invest DSM, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Neighborhood Development Corporation (NDC).
· Linda Westergaard: Aging Resources of Central Iowa, Des Moines Performing Arts, Fourmile Creek Watershed Management Authority, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC), Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) Management Agency.
In addition, we all serve as representatives to the Polk County Emergency Management Commission and the Warren County Emergency Management Commission.
CITIZEN RAISSA’S BIG DAY
Raissa Mafuta, who arrived in Central Iowa with her family 12 years ago from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was among 29 new citizens hailing from 19 countries sworn in by U.S. District Judge Stephen Locher on Independence Day at Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs baseball team. Since the first on-field event was held on September 4, 2009, 482 new citizens have been naturalized at Des Moines’ site of America’s “national pastime.”
Raissa immigrated from Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, when she was a high school sophomore. An Iowa State University graduate in accounting, she works at Principal Financial.
HABITAT HOME RISES DURING ARTS FESTIVAL
Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity staff members Victoria Moon (left) and Rachel Ong greet visitors touring a new Habitat home, constructed during the three-day Des Moines Arts Festival. More than about 170 volunteers bustled around to frame the 1,100-square-foot home. That takes teamwork! After the home is trucked to the Capitol East neighborhood, interior work gets underway. The house will become a home in mid-November for Leke and her family of four.
THE COAST GUARD HAS LANDED
Daniel Raney of Austin, Texas, a United States Coast Guard Band percussionist, performs on the kettle drums on June 30 at the Music Under the Stars concert at the Iowa State Capitol. It was the debut appearance at the Capitol for this 55-member active-service band, based in New London, Connecticut. The closing number— “The Armed Forces Medley,” a salute to all five service branches—drew the loudest applause.
TWILIGHT RUN/WALK AT WAVELAND GOLF
Fifth-grader Ona Krueger led youngsters in the “Conquer the Hill Sprint,” kicking off the Waveland Park Twilight Run and Walk on June 15 at the Waveland Golf Course. In its fifth year, the annual family-friendly event allows non-golfers to enjoy the majestic setting at the oldest municipal golf course west of the Mississippi. The Waveland Park Neighborhood Association organized the event that drew more than 60 youths and adults for the nine- or 18-hole walk/run. And dogs were welcomed, too!
WEEKLONG YOUTH BIKE CAMP
A dozen kids started their weeklong bike camp on June 17 with leadership from the Des Moines Police Activities League and the Street Collective. Lamika Houston (left) and Maleah Foy-Al-Hameed help each other fit helmets before working on biking skills in the Fourmile Community Center parking lot. Then, it was off to the Stowe Heights Challenge Course for team-building work.
The activity-laden week included stops at three pools, the East Side Library, a chat with Hy-Vee nutritionist Payton Vest, geocaching with Scott Mills, boating at Gray’s Lake Park, a fingerprint demonstration at police headquarters with technician Krystal Warren, and two ice cream shops.
The kids also learned necessary urban bicycling etiquette, such as “Calling out before you pass someone,” Lamika said.
Kittie Weston-Knauer and I started this summer program in 2010. A handful of kids have progressed from this camp to the RAGBRAI Dream Team.
PARKS & REC JULY BUCKET LIST CHALLENGE
Have you heard about this year’s “Bucket List Challenge,” sponsored by Des Moines Parks and Recreation? Well, here are the details!
You shutterbugs have a chance to win a $500 Scheels card. To enter, snap photos at each of 16 City locations—parks, a favorite trail, and golf courses.
The photo above is from a Twilight Run/Walk at Waveland Golf Course—no little white balls in this shot. Maybe your favorite photo is a hole-in-one!
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