Des Moines targets missing sidewalks

Catch up fast: Many Des Moines homes were constructed before city ordinances that require sidewalks. There's been a growing call in recent years to build them to promote mobility and healthier communities.

• The city identified nearly 700 miles of sidewalk gaps in 2017 and adopted plans the following year to first focus on school walk routes and bus stops.

The latest: The City Council approved a $1.9 million contract last month for this year's new sidewalks.

• They'll vote May 23 on a separate $250,000 plan for dozens of sidewalk replacement projects.

Of note: DSM has another $10 million planned in new school and priority route sidewalks in 2023-2026.

Go deeper: Review the locations of this year's planned new sidewalks.