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Downtown police squad shelved in Des Moines

The budgetary move leaves officers relying on overtime to manage unruly crowds.

News

Des Moines has disbanded its special downtown <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summery police squad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/08/desmoines-police-tickets-downtown-summer-squad" data-vars-content-id="456a8f25-ad90-4fd3-905d-0d74680829b1" data-vars-headline="Downtown police squad shelved in Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/08/desmoines-police-tickets-downtown-summer-squad" target="_self">summery police squad</a>, a budgetary move that leaves officers relying on overtime and targeted enforcement to manage unruly crowds during the warm season.Why it matters: The squad had issued thousands of citations and was credited by police and downtown leaders with helping reduce traffic nuisances, loitering and other problems.

Development grows fast in Cumming

Development grows fast in Cumming as new coffee shop, apartments open

Development

Most suburban growth around Des Moines follows the familiar pattern of large apartment complexes and sprawling single-family subdivisions, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Middlebrook" data-vars-click-url="https://middlebrookfarm.com/live-in-the-agrihood" data-vars-content-id="275fcfe2-fd40-4526-b47d-6f3be92d31d0" data-vars-headline="Development grows fast in Cumming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://middlebrookfarm.com/live-in-the-agrihood" target="_blank">Middlebrook</a>, an &quot;agrihood&quot; that is being constructed in Cumming, is modeled on Iowa&#x27;s walkable small towns.The big picture: The 800-acre agrihood by Diligent Development will include a town center, mixed housing types, local restaurants, outdoor recreation, farms and a community garden, says Tim Portzen, manager at Diligent.

Central Iowa Scouts sell $7M headquarters

The national organization has undergone major policy and legal upheaval over the past decade.

The Mid-Iowa Council of Scouting America — formerly the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boy Scouts of America" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/07/boy-scout-name-change-scouting-america" data-vars-content-id="a2874856-365a-4621-8189-9a9f8160a380" data-vars-headline="Central Iowa Scouts sell $7M headquarters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/07/boy-scout-name-change-scouting-america" target="_self">Boy Scouts of America</a> — has sold its Maytag Scout Center in Des Moines and plans to relocate to a leased space in Windsor Heights, according to a council email obtained by Axios.Why it matters: The sale reflects the downsizing of Central Iowa&#x27;s Scouting council after years of national membership decline and turmoil over inclusion policies and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sexual abuse lawsuits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2020/11/17/boy-scouts-america-90000-sex-abuse-cases" data-vars-content-id="a2874856-365a-4621-8189-9a9f8160a380" data-vars-headline="Central Iowa Scouts sell $7M headquarters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2020/11/17/boy-scouts-america-90000-sex-abuse-cases" target="_self">sexual abuse lawsuits</a>.

Heart of America eyes East Village for a new HQ

A five-story building is proposed across from Des Moines' former City Hall.

Heart of America is proposing a five-story office building in Des Moines&#x27; East Village, potentially relocating its Quad Cities-based headquarters to the riverfront area.Why it matters: The proposal could help activate a prominent yet undeveloped city-owned parcel across from the vacant City Hall as Des Moines seeks to redevelop <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several former municipal sites" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/25/des-moines-city-hall-vacant-armory-relocate" data-vars-content-id="ae23431e-7873-41c1-a215-d5095c77732d" data-vars-headline="Heart of America eyes East Village for a new HQ" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/07/25/des-moines-city-hall-vacant-armory-relocate" target="_self">several former municipal sites</a>.

Two of Des Moines' oldest and vacant buildings could get new life

Developers are exploring housing and storefronts near B&B Grocery.

Redevelopment of two of Des Moines&#x27; oldest commercial buildings, located across the street from B&amp;B Grocery in the Columbus Park neighborhood, could begin as early as next year.Why it matters: The project would convert long-vacant, fire-damaged buildings into housing and storefronts while preserving part of the neighborhood&#x27;s pre-Des Moines identity as the independent town of Sevastopol.

Polk County could build affordable housing at churches and strip malls

A new report identifies potential available land that could be home to more entry-level homes.

A new report from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Polk County Housing Trust Fund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pchtf.org/_files/ugd/ba4e6e_587fb86f1e2f4853886535211fde087c.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fae23384-3f6f-4523-b869-4581f7bfff13" data-vars-headline="Polk County could build affordable housing at churches and strip malls" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pchtf.org/_files/ugd/ba4e6e_587fb86f1e2f4853886535211fde087c.pdf" target="_blank">Polk County Housing Trust Fund</a> identifies hundreds of underused properties across the metro, from church parking lots to vacant office parks, as potential sites for affordable &quot;missing middle&quot; housing.Why it matters: The Des Moines metro is one of the fastest growing in the Midwest, but our housing construction is stuck at two extremes: single-family homes and large apartment complexes.

Thrasher's Hardware building is up for sale

The east side building is available for purchase.

An east side building that was once home to the iconic Thrasher&#x27;s Hardware store is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="up for sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.crexi.com/properties/2349537/iowa-3001-e-14th-sthttps:" data-vars-content-id="1188daf2-d8e3-453d-beeb-fb50f246c5eb" data-vars-headline="Thrasher&#x27;s Hardware building is up for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.crexi.com/properties/2349537/iowa-3001-e-14th-sthttps:" target="_blank">up for sale</a>.Why it matters: 3001 East 14th St. hasn&#x27;t seen much use in recent years, but now that it&#x27;s up for sale, there are interested buyers who want to bring it back to life, says Matt Connolly, a commercial broker with Iowa Realty Commercial.

Valley West corridor makeover begins in West Des Moines

West Des Moines is beginning a long-term redevelopment of the University Avenue and Valley West Mall area.

West Des Moines officials are reimagining the aging Valley West Mall area as a denser, more walkable district, starting with a block near Valley West Drive and Westown Parkway.Why it matters: The corridor still draws a steady number of visitors, and decisions made now could shape how it evolves over the next 10 to 20 years.

Kwik Star plans new West Des Moines location

The new 9,000-square-foot store would open off Valley West Drive.

Business

Kwik Star plans to build a new convenience store at Westown Parkway and Valley West Drive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at the former Iowa Realty site" data-vars-click-url="https://www.loopnet.com/property/3501-westown-pky-west-des-moines-ia-50266/19153-32004882602000/" data-vars-content-id="dbfa634e-1367-4b50-aefe-b50520b4d136" data-vars-headline="Kwik Star plans new West Des Moines location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.loopnet.com/property/3501-westown-pky-west-des-moines-ia-50266/19153-32004882602000/" target="_blank">at the former Iowa Realty site</a>, according to West Des Moines city officials.State of play: The company has proposed demolishing the existing building and constructing a 9,100-square-foot convenience store with eight gas pumps at the northwest corner of the intersection.

Ankeny plans new trail at High Trestle Trail park

The new path will include small rising and falling hills along an otherwise flat trail system.

Ankeny&#x27;s growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="High Trestle Trail Experience Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/06/ankeny-high-trestle-trail-experience-park" data-vars-content-id="e3285b37-cd16-469d-83ad-009bf98734dc" data-vars-headline="Ankeny plans new trail at High Trestle Trail park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/06/ankeny-high-trestle-trail-experience-park" target="_self">High Trestle Trail Experience Park</a> is getting a new &quot;flowline&quot; trail this year, giving outdoor enthusiasts some new ups and downs to explore.Driving the news: The nearly 900-foot paved path will be built off the High Trestle Trail and include small rising and falling hills along an otherwise typically flat trail system, Ankeny economic development director Derek Lord tells Axios.

Developments we're watching in 2026

From Valley West Mall to downtown Des Moines, there's movement happening.

There&#x27;s a lot of movement happening across the Des Moines metro this year, including pickleball courts, medical spaces and a second life for downtown buildings.<ul><li>Below are the developments we&#x27;re excited about.</li></ul>

A $76M courthouse-adjacent project is proposed in downtown Des Moines

The project would be a block away from 515 Tower.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The parking lot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/11/courthouse-adjacent-redevelopment-plans" data-vars-content-id="0e7a16e1-41d5-4bd6-9ce8-d05a5b36caed" data-vars-headline="A $76M courthouse-adjacent project is proposed in downtown Des Moines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/07/11/courthouse-adjacent-redevelopment-plans" target="_self">The parking lot</a> adjacent to the Polk County Courthouse would become a nearly $76 million, six-story complex with 280 apartments under a proposal that goes before the DSM City Council on Monday.Why it matters: The project would deliver another significant increase in available housing in the Court Avenue entertainment district.

West Des Moines' Valley Junction rezoning revives debate

Plans to rezone parts of Valley Junction could bring shops and more housing options.

West Des Moines officials are considering rezoning some residential neighborhoods in Valley Junction to grow more businesses and new types of housing.Why it matters: Some residents and elected officials say the rezonings could cut down West Des Moines&#x27; supply of affordable single-family homes, though supporters say it would help build needed &quot;middle housing,&quot; like townhomes and duplexes.

Development 🏗️

Development grows fast in Cumming

Two of Des Moines' oldest and vacant buildings could get new life

Polk County could build affordable housing at churches and strip malls

Thrasher's Hardware building is up for sale

Valley West corridor makeover begins in West Des Moines