Des Moines development leader Matt Anderson to retire

Driving the news: Anderson announced to city staff this week that he will leave Jan. 25, his 57th birthday.

• He tells Axios that he wants to spend more time with family and personal passions like running marathons.
• "There's a whole lot of things in life that I want to do besides work an 8-to-5 job," he said.

Flashback: He began planning the Younkers building's future during his first month at City Hall and later helped preserve part of it after a devastating 2014 fire.

• He helped keep Wellmark's headquarters downtown through a complex deal that involved a street closure, environmental cleanup, and the relocation of a historic building.

The intrigue: Asked about a missed opportunity, Anderson said DSM has struggled to move beyond car-dependent development, though limited transit and suburban competition constrained its options.

What's next: Anderson has no plans for another full-time role but hopes to serve on boards and volunteer with downtown initiatives.