Des Moines sobering center staying busy

• Polk County supervisors and other metro officials modeled the location on "sobering centers" in other states credited with saving taxpayer money and reducing homelessness.

Zoom in: Two connected buildings previously used for human services in the 1900 block of Carpenter Avenue are part of a $5 million renovation that began about a year ago.

• The Life Services Center side opened Nov. 18 and provides substance abuse and mental health treatment.
• The other side, with an immigrant and refugee center, is expected to be completed in about a year.

State of play: The DSM center already averages two people helped per day, about the same as one in Iowa City.

• It's a level operators thought would take months longer to reach, Annie Uetz, CEO of Polk County Behavioral Health & Disability Services, tells Axios.

Yes, but: The center has five regular spots and can accommodate up to 10 people if needed.