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Roundabouts proposed for Des Moines' Southwest Ninth Street

Over 500 crashes were reported along the corridor in five years.

News

Des Moines is considering its most significant overhaul of southwest Ninth Street in decades — including two roundabouts and a direct sidewalk connection across the Raccoon River to finally link neighborhoods with downtown.Why it matters: It&#x27;s one of the south side&#x27;s busiest and most crash-prone streets.

Des Moines plans evening golfing at Waveland Golf Course

Musco Lighting could install new lighting equipment to allow evening golfing.

The city of Des Moines wants to install lights on nine holes at Waveland Golf Course to extend playing hours into the evening.Why it matters: The project would open up tee times and generate more revenue, city staff say, though some nearby residents are concerned about light pollution and transparency.

Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles

A larger redevelopment package would be more likely to save the buildings, the city says.

The city of Des Moines is seeking to purchase three historic buildings adjacent to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Highland Park&#x27;s Odd Fellows Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/05/historic-highland-park-building-could-be-saved" data-vars-content-id="05a6aa3d-1ae2-4f99-9496-ec7e4220c11f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/08/05/historic-highland-park-building-could-be-saved" target="_self">Highland Park&#x27;s Odd Fellows Hall</a>.Why it matters: An effort to redevelop the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="landmark building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/economic_development/200_euclid_avenue.php" data-vars-content-id="05a6aa3d-1ae2-4f99-9496-ec7e4220c11f" data-vars-headline="Des Moines might buy adjacent buildings after Odd Fellows deal crumbles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dsm.city/departments/development_services/economic_development/200_euclid_avenue.php" target="_blank">landmark building</a> fell through last year.

Report: Research links pesticide use to cancer rates in farm states

Iowa ranks second in cancer rates as researchers examine pesticide exposure.

Health

A growing number of researchers, doctors and farmers say pesticides may be contributing to cancer rates, according to a new investigation by nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Investigate Midwest" data-vars-click-url="https://investigatemidwest.org/2026/02/18/pesticide-use-and-cancer-risk-rise-together-across-americas-heartland/" data-vars-content-id="7fe8227a-a58a-4535-a452-93e71306dc5b" data-vars-headline="Report: Research links pesticide use to cancer rates in farm states" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://investigatemidwest.org/2026/02/18/pesticide-use-and-cancer-risk-rise-together-across-americas-heartland/" target="_blank">Investigate Midwest</a>.Why it matters: Iowa has the nation&#x27;s second-highest cancer rate and is a heavy-pesticide state, using 53 million pounds last year, per Investigate Midwest.

DART proposes cutting 27 bus routes to 10 in a major redesign

Bus frequency would be boosted in areas where people travel most.

DART wants to slash its 27 fixed-route bus network by more than half.Why it matters: If approved, the reorganization and its proposed 10 main routes would increase the system&#x27;s usability, making rides faster and more reliable, a consultant told commissioners Tuesday.

Axios Des Moines reader poll: DART redesign

The agency is considering two general concepts.

Transit

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DART is asking for public input" data-vars-click-url="https://reimaginedartdsm.com/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="caff5e2e-2124-4263-8617-c243d89a4216" data-vars-headline="Axios Des Moines reader poll: DART redesign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://reimaginedartdsm.com/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">DART is asking for public input</a> to redesign its bus system.Catch up quick: The &quot;Reimagine&quot; project aims to modernize and better align services with current travel patterns.

Scoop: Des Moines will consider a 50% franchise fee increase

Transit services could be cut if the city is unable to resolve budget shortfalls.

Des Moines&#x27; franchise fee for gas and electricity may rise by up to 50% to pay for regional transit services, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The increase — from 5% to as high as 7.5% — could increase utility bills but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="prevent cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/03/11/bus-public-transportation-dart-franchise-fee-desmoines" data-vars-content-id="a72e197c-8641-43a5-b0d4-8147af20c8cf" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Des Moines will consider a 50% franchise fee increase" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/03/11/bus-public-transportation-dart-franchise-fee-desmoines" target="_self">prevent cuts</a> to services of the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), which thousands of residents rely on.

Polk County allocates $100K for DART's transit redesign

Service changes could be adopted by the DART commission in about a year.

Polk County Supervisors allocated $100,000 for DART&#x27;s system redesign on Tuesday.Why it matters: The process will guide the future of the metro&#x27;s public transit and services.

Des Moines reaffirms DART commitment, tamps down fears

Seven cities threatened to yank membership in the metro's public transit system over Des Moines' contribution

Politics

A public transit funding spat among metro cities appears to be resolved, West Des Moines Mayor and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DART" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/30/dart-downtown-d-line-shuttle-ends" data-vars-content-id="38b8e8d3-f9c7-424c-ba40-c63488699d89" data-vars-headline="Des Moines reaffirms DART commitment, tamps down fears" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/10/30/dart-downtown-d-line-shuttle-ends" target="_self">DART</a> chairperson Russ Trimble tells AxiosWhy it matters: The future of the region&#x27;s public transit agency hinges on cooperation among the municipalities that share its costs based on their size.

DART ends free downtown shuttle due to declining ridership

The route has seen declining ridership since the pandemic.

DART will end its free downtown D-Line shuttle after Nov. 23<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" due to declining ridership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/05/08/dart-transportation-via-public-transit" data-vars-content-id="2fe0fa18-c505-4429-92ea-776280b851f8" data-vars-headline="DART ends free downtown shuttle due to declining ridership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/05/08/dart-transportation-via-public-transit" target="_self"> due to declining ridership</a> since 2020.Why it matters: This could hurt downtown&#x27;s business district, which is already struggling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fewer office workers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/03/work-home-iowa-decline-principal-downtown-economy" data-vars-content-id="2fe0fa18-c505-4429-92ea-776280b851f8" data-vars-headline="DART ends free downtown shuttle due to declining ridership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/10/03/work-home-iowa-decline-principal-downtown-economy" target="_self">fewer office workers</a>.

DART in crisis as 7 more cities threaten to leave public transit agency

Multiple metro cities are asking Des Moines to reconfirm its financial commitments by Dec. 1.

Seven metro municipalities&#x27; mayors are threatening to leave DART to start their own regional transit service, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="joining a growing exodus of local governments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/11/pleasant-hill-iowa-dart-regional-transportation" data-vars-content-id="4c0c6d11-22d8-4a01-bcda-789d233749b8" data-vars-headline="DART in crisis as 7 more cities threaten to leave public transit agency" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/11/pleasant-hill-iowa-dart-regional-transportation" target="_self">joining a growing exodus of local governments</a> from the agency.The big picture: In a letter to the City of Des Moines this week obtained by Axios, the mayors say they will stay — if Des Moines reconfirms by Dec. 1 its commitment to pay a bigger share of DART&#x27;s costs that more fairly reflects the capital city&#x27;s usage.

Pleasant Hill becomes latest municipality to drop DART

Its membership and $400,000 annual contribution to Des Moines' transit agency will end in 2026.

Pleasant Hill City Council agreed to withdraw its membership and $400,000 annual contribution to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DART" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/05/08/dart-transportation-via-public-transit" data-vars-content-id="d88ab67e-5d6d-4b3c-9764-312f5849c651" data-vars-headline="Pleasant Hill becomes latest municipality to drop DART" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/05/08/dart-transportation-via-public-transit" target="_self">DART</a>, citing a low rate of return on investment for the transit services on Tuesday.Why it matters: The budget hit comes as the regional transit agency wrestles with post-pandemic changes in ridership and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing operational" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/05/08/dart-transportation-via-public-transit" data-vars-content-id="d88ab67e-5d6d-4b3c-9764-312f5849c651" data-vars-headline="Pleasant Hill becomes latest municipality to drop DART" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/05/08/dart-transportation-via-public-transit" target="_self">increasing operational</a> costs that risk widespread service reductions.

Des Moines will expedite dozens of street safety projects with $13M grant

Previously unfunded safety projects that had no start date will be completed in the next four years.

A new $13 million federal transportation grant will expedite dozens of Des Moines street <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="projects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/09/09/speed-humps-new-safety" data-vars-content-id="2af740c1-1daa-449e-bbe8-40b59fbb55dd" data-vars-headline="Des Moines will expedite dozens of street safety projects with $13M grant" 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/speed-humps-new-safety" target="_self">projects</a>, including school-zone improvements.Why it matters: Before the federal boost, many were not budgeted and their timelines were uncertain, city engineer Steven Naber tells Axios. Now they&#x27;ll largely wrap up within four years.

Iowa mixmaster project has a $70M shortfall

West Des Moines' mayor is lobbying for a federal grant.

Southwest Mixmaster&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed replacement project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/03/21/desmoines-hated-highway-west-mixmaster-i235" data-vars-content-id="5f611748-a2c8-4d5f-a781-891b4057212f" data-vars-headline="Iowa mixmaster project has a $70M shortfall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2023/03/21/desmoines-hated-highway-west-mixmaster-i235" target="_self">proposed replacement project</a> is about $70 million underfunded, which could spell a delay to its anticipated 2026 construction start.Why it matters: The partial cloverleaf interchange, which connects I-235, I-80 and I-35 in West Des Moines, is outdated and operates poorly, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT).

Transit 🚗

DART proposes cutting 27 bus routes to 10 in a major redesign

Axios Des Moines reader poll: DART redesign

Scoop: Des Moines will consider a 50% franchise fee increase

Polk County allocates $100K for DART's transit redesign

Des Moines reaffirms DART commitment, tamps down fears