Downtown Des Moines could get new entertainment district
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The Iowa Events Center includes Casey’s Center, EMC Expo Center and the Community Choice Convention Center. Photo: Reese Strickland/Courtesy of the Oak View Group
Polk County may explore turning underused land around the Iowa Events Center into a mixed-use entertainment district that could include more convention space.
Why it matters: The proposal could create a denser destination that adds housing, businesses and a larger tax base.
Driving the news: Supervisors on Tuesday will consider hiring Simonson & Associates to study the concept.
- It could cost over $273,000, with Des Moines contributing $25,000 and Knapp Properties $50,000, according to meeting documents.
State of play: The primary study area covers more than 3 acres immediately south of the convention complex, roughly between Park Street and Grand Avenue and Third and Fourth streets.
- An optional study would examine another 9 acres north of the complex toward I-235.
Zoom in: The study area includes or borders several redevelopment candidates, including Knapp Properties/JSC's former Koch Office Group site at 325 Grand Ave., now vacant after demolition, and the Brown Garage complex at Fourth and Grand, which its owner wants to demolish for redevelopment.
Reality check: No special tax break automatically comes with an "entertainment district" designation.
Yes, but: Des Moines could separately offer development incentives such as tax increment financing, as it has for other downtown projects.
- The consultant plans to discuss potential incentives with the city.
Behind the scenes: Clustering restaurants, hotels, housing and entertainment around a major event venue can encourage visitors to stay and spend nearby, creating a more walkable destination.
- It could also replace low-value parking, a longtime goal of some advocates in the downtown business district.
What they're saying: The goal is to ensure the district has traffic every day of the week, Knapp Properties CEO Chris Costa tells Axios.
Stunning stat: Knapp Properties and Jim Cownie's JSC Properties jointly own nearly 4.5 acres, including almost the entire block between Third and Fourth streets, from Park Street south to Grand Avenue.
What's next: If approved Tuesday, consultants would conduct environmental and market studies, develop master-plan scenarios and create renderings.
- The documents don't provide a completion date; a subsequent phase could focus on implementation, phasing and marketing.