Des Moines' Riverview-area revitalization includes new apartments

Catch up quick: Riverview is a former amusement park that closed in the late 1970s and was converted into a nature preserve and city park.

• Neighborhood leaders spent years advocating for and raising money to transform the largely unused area into a recreational destination, including trails, playground equipment and an amphitheater accommodating 6,000 people.

Zoom in: One of the challenges of nearby redevelopment was the vacant warehouse near Seventh Street and New York Avenue.

• NDC, a nonprofit that revives neighborhoods, purchased the 3-acre property in 2023 with plans to redevelop the building into a restaurant or brewery.

Yes, but: The building had asbestos contamination and had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the plan was impractical, resulting in its demolition last year.

State of play: NDC plans two 12-unit apartment buildings on the site, with groundbreaking scheduled on Oct. 28.

The intrigue: Future phases could also include commercial components, such as restaurants or shops, as the City Council approved a redevelopment plan for approximately 60 acres surrounding the park last month.

What's next: Following a public hearing on Oct. 20, the city council will consider rezoning the site for the project.