Former school gets Des Moines' OK to anchor Tiny Village
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The former Chesterfield School. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
A vacant 1880s school building has received a city permit to serve as a community hub for Joppa's planned Tiny Village in Des Moines.
Why it matters: Reusing the school could preserve a piece of Des Moines history while supporting people transitioning out of homelessness.
Catch up quick: Joppa, a Des Moines nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness, is developing a Tiny Village on the former Chesterfield School site at 2501 Maury St.
- The village could include about 55 tiny homes and supportive services for residents transitioning out of homelessness.
- The project is modeled after Austin's Community First Village and could cost up to $10 million.
State of play: The Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a conditional-use permit last month, allowing the 15,000-square-foot former school building to be converted into a community center with a 5,000-square-foot gymnasium addition.
- City documents envision the facility providing village residents with kitchen and dining space, recreation, worship, storage and health care services.
Flashback: The former school was most recently used as a community center before the city began considering whether to demolish the aging building.
Reality check: Plans for the building's reuse are not yet finalized.
- Joppa is still evaluating the best way to create safe, functional, code-compliant spaces, CEO and co-founder Joe Stevens tells Axios.
What's next: Joppa aims to break ground on the Tiny Village this year, with the first residents potentially moving in 2027.