"The Deco" building in Des Moines seeks a height waiver

A proposed residential and commercial building at the corner of 13th and Mulberry streets is seeking a waiver to downtown Des Moines' building height requirement.

• The request goes before the Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission Thursday.

State of play: "The Deco" would be five stories, constructed on a vacant lot across the street from the Central Fire Station.

• It's part of a $22.7 million tw0-phase project that includes renovation of the adjacent Iowa Ford Tractor building, which is where the former H.B Leiserowitz photo equipment store was located.

Driving the news: A U-shaped section of The Deco would be just one story — below the area's three-story requirement — to create an elevated, internal courtyard for its 81 apartments.

• Staffers with the city's zoning commission say the proposal generally conforms with downtown building requirements and recommend the design's approval.

Of note: Last month, the Des Moines City Council approved nearly $6 million in tax incentives for the project proposed by Green Acre Development, a South Dakota company.