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Iowa indefinitely delays its new vape registry

The state needs more time to determine which products qualify.

News

Iowa&#x27;s planned crackdown on unauthorized vape products was put on hold Thursday, the day new restrictions were supposed to take effect, with state officials announcing no new implementation date.Why it matters: Iowa vape shops and distributors have won an unexpected reprieve from restrictions that could dramatically shrink the number of products they can sell after years of scrutiny over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health risks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/teens-vaping-nicotine-smoking-study" data-vars-content-id="dd9dc473-e42b-43c9-8061-c1e2b540eefe" data-vars-headline="Iowa indefinitely delays its new vape registry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/teens-vaping-nicotine-smoking-study" target="_self">health risks</a> and the proliferation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unauthorized products" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/illegal-vapes-thwart-fda-enforcement" data-vars-content-id="dd9dc473-e42b-43c9-8061-c1e2b540eefe" data-vars-headline="Iowa indefinitely delays its new vape registry" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/illegal-vapes-thwart-fda-enforcement" target="_self">unauthorized products</a>.

Why Malala Yousafzai, Nick Offerman and Martin Sheen are in Des Moines

The World Food Prize is convening this week in downtown Des Moines.

Malala Yousafzai, Martin Sheen and Nick Offerman are among the high-profile guests in Des Moines this week for the World Food Prize&#x27;s 40th anniversary.Why it matters: For a few days, our unassuming Midwest city becomes a mini &quot;United Nations&quot; where diplomats and celebrities from around the world discuss how to end food insecurity.

New frozen cocktail and nacho bar opening in East Village

Narwhal's is opening its first Iowa franchise this year.

Food and Drink

Des Moines&#x27; East Village is getting boozy slushies and unconventional nachos this winter.Driving the news: Narwhal&#x27;s Crafted, a St. Louis-based frozen cocktail bar, is opening its first Iowa franchise at 418 E. Grand Ave.

Des Moines considers e-scooter rules, banning bikes on some sidewalks

The City Council is workshopping a future ordinance.

Des Moines is considering a ban on high-speed electric scooters and similar motorized devices on public streets, sidewalks and trails.Why it matters: Newer electric scooters can exceed 50 mph, raising safety concerns because kids and teens may not realize how powerful the devices are, Des Moines city engineer Steven Naber says.

Valley West Mall is finally sold

A lease with JC Penney is holding up redevelopment plans.

Business

After years of delays, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Valley West Mall has finally sold" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/15/valley-west-mall-housing-west-desmoines-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="9e20b598-e699-42eb-8e15-21cb57b61294" data-vars-headline="Valley West Mall is finally sold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/08/15/valley-west-mall-housing-west-desmoines-redevelopment" target="_self">Valley West Mall has finally sold</a>, though JCPenney&#x27;s longstanding lease could hold up redevelopment.Why it matters: The 58-acre site is in a popular traffic area ripe for commercial and residential development, but the empty, aging mall structure is a major impediment.

Merle Hay Tower project clears key housing hurdle

The project could help bring new life to the 67-year-old mall.

Merle Hay Mall&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vacant office tower" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/09/08/merle-hay-mall-senior-housing-office-tower" data-vars-content-id="667af5b0-447d-4ec2-a304-b8f65ff0396b" data-vars-headline="Merle Hay Tower project clears key housing hurdle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/09/08/merle-hay-mall-senior-housing-office-tower" target="_self">vacant office tower</a> is one step closer to becoming affordable senior housing after its redevelopment proposal won a state housing competition this month.Why it matters: Converting the tower into housing could provide the aging mall with a new source of foot traffic and support its transition from a traditional shopping center to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a mixed-use district" data-vars-click-url="https://opportunityiowa.gov/media/7445/download?inline" data-vars-content-id="667af5b0-447d-4ec2-a304-b8f65ff0396b" data-vars-headline="Merle Hay Tower project clears key housing hurdle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://opportunityiowa.gov/media/7445/download?inline" target="_blank">a mixed-use district</a>.

Ghost stories follow Merle Hay Tower redevelopment pitch

A $19.5M senior housing plan comes with decades of local ghost lore.

Development

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The vacant Merle Hay Tower" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/09/08/merle-hay-mall-senior-housing-office-tower" data-vars-content-id="cb4698ee-7b67-4497-baff-031bb589a68d" data-vars-headline="Ghost stories follow Merle Hay Tower redevelopment pitch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/09/08/merle-hay-mall-senior-housing-office-tower" target="_self">The vacant Merle Hay Tower</a> that could become affordable senior housing has long been the subject of local haunting lore.Driving the news: Developers pitch the $19.5 million housing proposal to state officials Thursday as part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="competition" data-vars-click-url="https://opportunityiowa.gov/2027-innovation-rental-housing-pitch-competition?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="cb4698ee-7b67-4497-baff-031bb589a68d" data-vars-headline="Ghost stories follow Merle Hay Tower redevelopment pitch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://opportunityiowa.gov/2027-innovation-rental-housing-pitch-competition?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">competition</a> for up to $14 million in federal housing tax credits.

Vacant office tower at Merle Hay Mall pitched for senior housing

The nearly $20 million plan also calls for replacing the former theater with a plaza.

Merle Hay Mall&#x27;s vacant office tower could become senior housing while its former theater could be demolished to make way for an outdoor plaza, redevelopment plans shared with Axios show.Why it matters: The proposal would convert aging mall space into affordable senior housing and advance Merle Hay&#x27;s long-running shift toward a mixed-use destination.

This Ankeny mom is opening a giant play cafe for kids, and coffee for adults

Whimsy & Wonder Play Cafe will cater to all kids and parents alike.

An Ankeny mom is opening an inclusive, kid-friendly cafe where their parents can connect (or disconnect) without helicoptering their kids.Why it matters: Megan Holtz was inspired to create a fun space for her 8-year-old son, Vinny, who has sensory processing disorder. Now she&#x27;s opening <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Whimsy &amp; Wonder Play Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/whimsyandwonderplaycafe/" data-vars-content-id="5511c029-c47f-40ce-b2ae-945f05f978c3" data-vars-headline="This Ankeny mom is opening a giant play cafe for kids, and coffee for adults" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/whimsyandwonderplaycafe/" target="_blank">Whimsy &amp; Wonder Play Cafe</a> this fall, along with her husband, Mitch.

Caring Hands plans accessible community garden

The raised garden beds could help provide education for people of all abilities.

From the parking lot to the garden beds, a local nonprofit wants to build a community garden in Altoona that people of all abilities can dig into.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Caring Hands" data-vars-click-url="https://caringhandsiowa.org/" data-vars-content-id="e4aef3d9-4266-43d9-978a-e14065065cf2" data-vars-headline="Caring Hands plans accessible community garden" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://caringhandsiowa.org/" target="_blank">Caring Hands</a> wants to build a $1 million ADA-accessible community garden outside its outreach center in Altoona, chief development officer Amanda Eggers tells Axios.

A giant indoor slide park is opening in Clive

The giant slide at the Iowa State Fair has some competition: A 33,000-square-foot indoor park with 13 slides is opening Friday in Clive.Driving the news: Two Altoona families are opening <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Slick City Action Park" data-vars-click-url="https://slickcity.com/ia-west-des-moines/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23894701419&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA_SKzOmpB-rYzFOWqvWn6hL9joLXD&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwguLSBhDLARIsAH-yPrE081TVBvv51BFdmMS71GEZ8dvpGlOZSXX2i-0BuoxzU1kl5lqGdwEaAmGPEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="0135a57d-1211-4706-989a-7696419fc980" data-vars-headline="A giant indoor slide park is opening in Clive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://slickcity.com/ia-west-des-moines/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23894701419&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA_SKzOmpB-rYzFOWqvWn6hL9joLXD&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwguLSBhDLARIsAH-yPrE081TVBvv51BFdmMS71GEZ8dvpGlOZSXX2i-0BuoxzU1kl5lqGdwEaAmGPEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Slick City Action Park</a>, a Texas-based chain, at 9999 University Ave., near Valley West Mall, in the former Joann Fabrics.

West Des Moines considers denser, more walkable neighborhoods

West Des Moines is reexamining its zoning code for the first time in 30 years.

West Des Moines is considering a new zoning district that would let developers build denser, more affordable neighborhoods.Why it matters: Suburbs are known for their wide sprawl and huge backyards, but the new &quot;blended neighborhood&quot; district could create more entry-level homes in walkable neighborhoods.

Development grows fast in Cumming

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

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.

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.

Development 🏗️

Valley West Mall is finally sold

Merle Hay Tower project clears key housing hurdle

Ghost stories follow Merle Hay Tower redevelopment pitch

Vacant office tower at Merle Hay Mall pitched for senior housing

This Ankeny mom is opening a giant play cafe for kids, and coffee for adults