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Des Moines' best chicken tenders: Christopher's

Christopher's is the place to stop for some unique tenders.

Things to Do

Listen, I&#x27;m not the type of person to order only chicken tenders when I go to a restaurant (unless it&#x27;s Raising Cane&#x27;s), but the Kim&#x27;s chicken tenders ($14) at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" data-vars-content-id="74d0ad2a-6e0f-4711-8107-b87b89f7b333" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; best chicken tenders: Christopher&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.christophersdsm.com/menu" target="_blank">Christopher&#x27;s</a> in Beaverdale have me feeling a certain type of way.What it is: Three chicken strips breaded in cornflakes, almonds, and the secret to what makes it unique — brown sugar.<ul><li>It&#x27;s served with a side of honey mustard sauce (arguably better than ranch.)</li></ul>What I liked: As a sweet and savory lover, the sweeter breading won me over, balancing out the saltiness of the chicken. If you&#x27;re a fan of chicken nuggets and honey, this is the dish for you.<ul><li>Texturally, the cornflakes and almonds gave the strips a nice crisp and crunchy exterior.</li></ul>If you go: 5-10pm Monday-Thursday; 5-11pm Friday-Saturday; 2816 Beaver Ave., Des Moines.

Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement

Oversized vegetation in the street's median contributed to a crash, according to a lawsuit.

News

The Des Moines City Council agreed this week to pay $150,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming that plants in the medians along Fleur Drive contributed to an accident that injured a motorcyclist.Why it matters: The payout highlights how routine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streetscape decisions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" data-vars-content-id="caa1cfa4-dc98-4427-aa4c-a3ea5554b7b3" data-vars-headline="Tall plants along Fleur Drive tied to a $150K traffic settlement" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/grant-street-diet-projects-desmoines-pedestrians" target="_self">streetscape decisions</a> can expose cities to liability risks.

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half

The refuge center was damaged by severe hail in 2024.

The visitor center at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith" data-vars-content-id="d82f67fa-fb31-4374-acc8-afbd66b39c22" data-vars-headline="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/neal-smith" target="_blank">Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge</a> near Prairie City is set to be downsized following storm damage in 2024, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a draft federal planning document" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-compatibility-determination-nls-ee-multitype" data-vars-content-id="d82f67fa-fb31-4374-acc8-afbd66b39c22" data-vars-headline="Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge visitor center will be cut in half" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fws.gov/media/draft-compatibility-determination-nls-ee-multitype" target="_blank">according to a draft federal planning document</a>.Why it matters: The visitor center is the main hub for environmental education and programming at the refuge, which draws thousands of students and visitors annually.

Dave's Hot Chicken and Bonchon opening in West Des Moines

Here are the latest restaurants opening and closing in the Des Moines area.

Food and Drink

Here are some of the latest restaurants that are opening, closing, or making moves across the metro.

Des Moines to buy first home under new housing strategy

It marks the start of a massive, long-term effort to demolish or improve entire city blocks.

Business

Des Moines City Council unanimously approved the first property acquisition tied to its new citywide housing strategy this week.Why it matters: The home at 1656 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway marks the start of a massive, long-term effort to demolish or improve entire city blocks, home to thousands of neglected houses that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have been called &quot;an albatross.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/13/redeveloping-blocks-house-eminent-domain-czb" data-vars-content-id="0740e30c-f721-4ec7-9d2a-613d791bd07e" data-vars-headline="Des Moines to buy first home under new housing strategy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/02/13/redeveloping-blocks-house-eminent-domain-czb" target="_self">have been called &quot;an albatross.&quot;</a>

Des Moines' historic Butler House is for sale

Much of the furniture is included in the sale.

Real Estate

The Butler House on Grand Avenue went on the market this week.Why it matters: It isn&#x27;t just a stately Tudor; it&#x27;s woven into Des Moines&#x27; architectural legacy — including its connection to the Butler Mansion on Fleur Drive, which recently became home to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/01/16/desmoines-butler-mansion-museum-italian-cultural" data-vars-content-id="9076b9b4-3e0b-41e7-9553-d67bc343aa69" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; historic Butler House is for sale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/01/16/desmoines-butler-mansion-museum-italian-cultural" target="_self">Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa</a>.

Des Moines gets surge in Section 8 demand

Over 7,500 applied in 48 hours for just 4,500 spots on the wait list.

For the first time in two decades, Des Moines had to turn people away from its Section 8 wait list.Why it matters: The surge in applications shows that many more residents can&#x27;t afford housing in the metro.

Des Moines affordable housing shrinks as demand rises

Fewer low-cost rentals leave many one crisis away from losing housing.

Des Moines doesn&#x27;t have enough affordable and available housing to meet the needs of its growing population.Why it matters: With fewer affordable options left, many renters are one unexpected expense away from losing their homes, says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Matt Hauge of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pchtf.org/" data-vars-content-id="b8e3223e-ac3f-4dcf-9359-acc6f95fb3ca" data-vars-headline="Des Moines affordable housing shrinks as demand rises" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pchtf.org/" target="_blank">Matt Hauge of the Polk County Housing Trust Fund</a>.

Urbandale seeks proposals for affordable housing site

The city wants to turn a former EconoLodge site into affordable housing.

Urbandale is accepting proposals from developers to purchase and build affordable apartments at the former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="EconoLodge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/12/05/econolodge-urbandale-demolished-affordable-housing" data-vars-content-id="fc483643-9b9a-4067-9ce2-9bcf897ac57c" data-vars-headline="Urbandale seeks proposals for affordable housing site" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/12/05/econolodge-urbandale-demolished-affordable-housing" target="_self">EconoLodge</a> at 10841 Douglas Ave.Why it matters: A recent state designation recognizing cities that are improving workforce housing will make Urbandale&#x27;s project more likely to find developers, says Matt Hauge, spokesperson for Polk County Housing Trust Fund.

Bidding for this U.S. Courthouse starts at $60,000

It's one of three historic government buildings in Des Moines that will soon go vacant.

Bids to purchase the U.S. Courthouse in Des Moines open on March 3.Why it matters: It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the third historic downtown government building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/01/15/desmoines-city-hall-redevelopment-rfp-developers" data-vars-content-id="668bd5cc-2588-43b9-b2e3-1ab85c74e98a" data-vars-headline="Bidding for this U.S. Courthouse starts at $60,000" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2025/01/15/desmoines-city-hall-redevelopment-rfp-developers" target="_self">the third historic downtown government building</a> in the rehoming process during a transition that will influence downtown&#x27;s future for decades.

Des Moines to consider redeveloping 300 blocks of housing

The city has among the oldest housing stock in the nation

About 300 city blocks would be redeveloped through a mix of acquisitions, demolitions and infill reconstruction under <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a draft housing strategy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/12/13/des-moines-city-wide-housing-strategy-affordable" data-vars-content-id="13091a94-ceb1-40d3-83c1-1c0379d68cd5" data-vars-headline="Des Moines to consider redeveloping 300 blocks of 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/2024/12/13/des-moines-city-wide-housing-strategy-affordable" target="_self">a draft housing strategy</a> presented to the city council this week.Why it matters: The annual $60-million-plus that governments spend to improve DSM&#x27;s housing won&#x27;t boost overall conditions without whole-block redevelopment, Charles Buki, director of Colorado-based urban planning firm CZB, told council members.<ul><li>DSM has &quot;an albatross&quot; of 45,000 small and often neglected homes, Buki said.</li></ul>

Des Moines to consider $42 million in housing projects

Most of the 133 apartments would be designated as affordable housing.

Four housing projects with a price tag of more than $42 million will be considered by the Des Moines City Council on Monday night.

Des Moines' City Hall redevelopment has no takers

The structure could be mothballed sometime next year.

After an eight-month search, Des Moines received no proposals from groups interested in redeveloping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its soon-to-be-vacated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/09/09/des-moines-buy-former-nationwide-building-consolidate-city-offices" data-vars-content-id="b3c841b6-a139-4ddc-953a-bb7cd26214a3" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; City Hall redevelopment has no takers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2022/09/09/des-moines-buy-former-nationwide-building-consolidate-city-offices" target="_self">its soon-to-be-vacated</a> City Hall.Why it matters: The historic building has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the cornerstone" data-vars-click-url="https://councildocs.dsm.city/communications/2024/24-204.pdf" data-vars-content-id="b3c841b6-a139-4ddc-953a-bb7cd26214a3" data-vars-headline="Des Moines&#x27; City Hall redevelopment has no takers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://councildocs.dsm.city/communications/2024/24-204.pdf" target="_blank">the cornerstone</a> of the city&#x27;s modern history since its construction more than 110 years ago.<ul><li>The structure could be mothballed sometime next year until a plan for its reuse is determined.</li></ul>

The history behind Des Moines' funkiest commercial building

The building could be yours for just $275,000.

A quirky commercial building at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="6307 Hickman Road" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbre.com/properties/properties-for-lease/office/details/US-SMPL-51932/6307-hickman-road-des-moines-ia-50322" data-vars-content-id="2ac6324f-963a-4ccc-8715-70d0dfdd8034" data-vars-headline="The history behind Des Moines&#x27; funkiest commercial building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbre.com/properties/properties-for-lease/office/details/US-SMPL-51932/6307-hickman-road-des-moines-ia-50322" target="_blank">6307 Hickman Road</a> could now be yours.Driving the news: The pentagon-shaped building is listed for $275,000 by CBRE.

Real Estate 🏠

Des Moines to buy first home under new housing strategy

Des Moines' historic Butler House is for sale

Des Moines gets surge in Section 8 demand

Des Moines affordable housing shrinks as demand rises

Urbandale seeks proposals for affordable housing site