There should be a party here every day of the summer. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
Jason and Linh here: Des Moines' budget crunch doesn't have to be all bad news. We think it could be an opportunity to diversify revenue and make existing amenities more useful.
Why it matters: We've both lived here almost all our lives and love this city.
We hope our collective creativity can help us avoid cuts to essential services.
Jason's ideas:
Activate Gray's Lake: Allow regular vendors at Christine Hensley Terrace, including beer and wine sales, similar to Water Works Park's long-running beer garden.
Create a legacy: Launch a campaign encouraging residents to include the city in their wills.
Offer a DSM discount: Increase nonresident rates for certain recreation programs, shelter rentals, golf, or other amenities heavily used by people outside Des Moines who don't pay the property taxes that support them.
Linh's ideas:
Riverwalk pop-ups: It would be fun to have little stands during the summertime where you can grab a coffee, beer or play a game downtown.
Green space events: Host mini festivals or vintage markets in underutilized places, like 5th and Walnut, where a skyscraper was supposed to go.
Hit reply. We'll share some of your ideas in a future newsletter.
