Dutch Bros withdraws downtown Des Moines proposal
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Dutch Bros opened its first Des Moines location along Southeast 14th Street in Des Moines earlier this month. Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios
Plans for a proposed Dutch Bros in downtown Des Moines have been withdrawn following opposition from neighborhood leaders concerned about pedestrian safety and car-oriented development.
Why it matters: The withdrawal removes a test of whether the city would allow another downtown drive-thru, following this month's approval of similar exceptions for Hyper Energy Bar.
Catch up fast: The coffee shop was proposed to be built on what is currently a surface parking lot near Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway at 175 SW 9th St.
- The Downtown Neighborhood Association opposed the shop's drive-thru, citing concerns that it could create conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists and encourage low-density development.
The latest: Ride On Des Moines, run by downtown resident and cycling advocate Carol Maher, first reported on its social media account late last night that the coffee shop project had been withdrawn. City staff confirmed the withdrawal to Axios.
- Developer Tim Rypma did not immediately respond to Axios' questions.
Context: Maher, a former plan and zoning commissioner, publicly opposed drive-thrus for both the Hyper and Dutch Bros. projects.
Zoom out: The coffee shop was part of a cluster of properties linked to Rypma, including the recently redeveloped Carpenter Paper Warehouse and the Lortex building, which has been planned for redevelopment.
The intrigue: Rypma's projects are also near the long-planned soccer stadium district, where uncertainty increased Wednesday after Des Moines ended seven years of negotiations with Krause Group regarding surrounding development.
What we're watching: Whether Rypma moves ahead with his broader redevelopment plans despite withdrawing Dutch Bros.