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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporters Jason Clayworth and Linh Ta.

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Axios investigates: Iowa's nursing home crisis

Deaths and injuries at nursing homes have been attributed to deficiencies in care.

News

City's new stink detectors use science over subjectivity

Officials hope data will resolve what's behind DSM's "putrid rotting smell."

Meals on Wheels launches hydroponics farming at new Des Moines campus

It includes a public restaurant and a hydroponic garden.

Iowa's gray foxes are disappearing — and researchers don't know why

The 10-pound mammals play an important role in Iowa's ecosphere.

Historic Iowa Capitol rowhouse may get a sibling

A new infill rowhouse could share the historic building's patio.

Development

A rowhouse relocated a decade ago to make way for an Iowa Capitol grounds expansion will have a new sibling under a proposal approved this week by the Des Moines Landmark Review Board.Catch up fast: The 143-year-old rowhouse was a private residence and later home to multiple Scandinavian community groups, including the Norden Singing Society.

A photo of the Norden Hall building in Des Moines.

Valley West Mall's future could be housing

The mall has been in decline for years as big stores like Von Maur and Younkers closed.

Valley West Mall&#x27;s redevelopment could include affordable housing projects under preliminary discussions between prospective developers and West Des Moines, Mayor Russ Trimble tells Axios.Why it matters: The mall has been in decline for years as big stores like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Von Maur" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/08/25/von-maur-closing-valley-west-mall-store-west-des-moines" data-vars-content-id="f45d0b4c-2367-44c9-bb51-0003284341eb" data-vars-headline="Valley West Mall&#x27;s future could be housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2021/08/25/von-maur-closing-valley-west-mall-store-west-des-moines" target="_self">Von Maur</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Younkers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2018/08/24/younkers-closing-iowa-stores-close-good-wednesday-bon-ton-liquidation-sale-shopping-retail-malls/1072742002/" data-vars-content-id="f45d0b4c-2367-44c9-bb51-0003284341eb" data-vars-headline="Valley West Mall&#x27;s future could be housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2018/08/24/younkers-closing-iowa-stores-close-good-wednesday-bon-ton-liquidation-sale-shopping-retail-malls/1072742002/" target="_blank">Younkers</a> closed without being replaced.

A new, first-of-its-kind wetland in Ankeny

Metro businessman Rich Eychaner donated land for the project.

An undeveloped area along Fourmile Creek in Ankeny will become Polk County&#x27;s first stormwater wetland project that&#x27;s initiated by a private developer and land donor, John Swanson, Polk&#x27;s water resources supervisor, tells Axios.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.4 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.constructionjournal.com/projects/details/bdde1f5eee664255871c4eb9a0f5da23.html" data-vars-content-id="3516be04-8c76-407c-b249-1cdfdb0c074d" data-vars-headline="A new, first-of-its-kind wetland in Ankeny" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.constructionjournal.com/projects/details/bdde1f5eee664255871c4eb9a0f5da23.html" target="_blank">$1.4 million</a> project will slow the flow of millions of gallons of water that drains from hundreds of acres.

Historic Whittier school building will house cafe, community fridge

The old school building will function for nonprofits and commercial spaces.

An abandoned school building near Union Park is getting a facelift.Driving the news: Neighbors of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former Whittier Elementary School" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/32269084.6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2JyaWRnZT91cmw9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ3JlZW5sZWFmY2VudGVyLm9yZy8mcz0xMjQyMDMmbj1jYThmODU0OCZ0PTA5MWZlYjY5NmQ0MTY4YzVkNmU3YTgzNzdiMzZhZjcyN2IyMjhiZGEmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/600a1412c7007c4fabd64e23E6b0884aa" data-vars-content-id="df06fe8a-fe70-4ece-a291-c3bc8b53e6bf" data-vars-headline="Historic Whittier school building will house cafe, community fridge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/32269084.6/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2JyaWRnZT91cmw9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ3JlZW5sZWFmY2VudGVyLm9yZy8mcz0xMjQyMDMmbj1jYThmODU0OCZ0PTA5MWZlYjY5NmQ0MTY4YzVkNmU3YTgzNzdiMzZhZjcyN2IyMjhiZGEmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/600a1412c7007c4fabd64e23E6b0884aa" target="_blank">former Whittier Elementary School</a> are converting the nearly 150-year-old building into a community space. <ul><li>It will include a cafe, offices and shared commercial kitchen, Kelli Lydons, head of the project, tells Axios.</li></ul>

Granger annexation to make way for $100M+ project

An unnamed developer is planning residential and commercial projects along Highway 141.

Granger is moving forward with a 503-acre annexation being considered by a state board this afternoon.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s expansion would make way for what is anticipated to be a $100M+ commercial and retail development, city administrator Kirk Bjorland tells Axios.

Illustration of a construction crane lifting another crane, which is lifting another crane, which is lifting another crane.

New Oakridge tech center to help low-income teens

The new center is expected to open at Mainframe Studios by the end of the year.

Teens and young adults from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oakridge Neighborhood" data-vars-click-url="https://oakridgeneighborhood.org/" data-vars-content-id="0b0ecd61-b96d-4b7a-98da-d6e0aee76a00" data-vars-headline="New Oakridge tech center to help low-income teens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oakridgeneighborhood.org/" target="_blank">Oakridge Neighborhood</a> are getting a new tech center just down the street at Mainframe Studios.Why it matters: Access to advanced equipment is one way to provide more tech equity to the at-risk youth who live in the nonprofit housing project.

Former Whittier school to include a cafe

The nearly 150-year-old building is a landmark that neighbors are trying to save.

Some of the first renderings of what the former Whittier Elementary School would look like after a $1.2 million renovation is completed were recently released.Why it matters: The nearly 150-year-old building near Union Park is a landmark that neighbors are trying to save.

Ingersoll Dinner Theater is stabilized; rehab up next

The improvements save the historic structure from further deterioration.

The Ingersoll Dinner Theater has a new roof and its inside demolition is complete, owner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Connor Delaney" data-vars-click-url="https://www.loopnet.com/commercial-real-estate-brokers/profile/connor-delaney/she3wd5b" data-vars-content-id="bf8fde9c-9e63-46a6-9165-7a014ea1b43c" data-vars-headline="Ingersoll Dinner Theater is stabilized; rehab up next" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.loopnet.com/commercial-real-estate-brokers/profile/connor-delaney/she3wd5b" target="_blank">Connor Delaney</a> tells Axios.Why it matters: The improvements stabilize the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic structure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/07/18/ingersoll-dinner-theater-new-life-following-sale" data-vars-content-id="bf8fde9c-9e63-46a6-9165-7a014ea1b43c" data-vars-headline="Ingersoll Dinner Theater is stabilized; rehab up next" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/07/18/ingersoll-dinner-theater-new-life-following-sale" target="_self">historic structure</a> from further deterioration.

MidAmerican Energy to build 9-acre downtown park

Two Rivers Park will be adjacent to the Market District.

Downtown is getting a new park with construction expected to start in coming months, Polk County Conservation spokesperson Jessica Lown tells Axios.Why it matters: Two Rivers Park will be adjacent to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Market District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/admin/eden/editor/newsletter/Tim%20Rypma,%20a%20Market%20District%20Developer%20LLC,%20the%20group%20involved%20with%20the%20transformation" data-vars-content-id="06cb56be-9a30-48f6-8ae1-8b1da5276e9d" data-vars-headline="MidAmerican Energy to build 9-acre downtown park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/admin/eden/editor/newsletter/Tim%20Rypma,%20a%20Market%20District%20Developer%20LLC,%20the%20group%20involved%20with%20the%20transformation" target="_self">Market District</a>, a 10-block industrial area near the East Village that&#x27;s being redeveloped into an urban neighborhood.

Gas Lamp building's future depends on soccer deal

A proposed $95 million soccer stadium in Des Moines project has a funding gap.

The Butler Building&#x27;s future largely depends on efforts to build a Des Moines soccer stadium, Erica Turner, director of communications for the Krause Group, tells Axios.Why it matters: The four-story downtown building, which is more than a century old, includes about two dozen apartments.

Development 🏗️

Historic Iowa Capitol rowhouse may get a sibling

Valley West Mall's future could be housing

A new, first-of-its-kind wetland in Ankeny

Historic Whittier school building will house cafe, community fridge

Granger annexation to make way for $100M+ project