A five-story mixed-use building would be constructed on the site of a surface parking lot formerly owned by Wells Fargo Properties, under a proposal to be considered Monday by the Des Moines City Council.

Why it matters: The $42.25 million project at 900 Vine St. is part of a wave of redevelopment near West Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway that includes the recently restored Carpenter Paper Warehouse, new apartments at Gray's Landing, and the proposed reuse of nearby Wells Fargo office buildings for hotel, office and restaurant space.

Driving the news: The council will consider preliminary terms of a financial agreement with 900 Vine LLC, whose partners include metro developer Brian Clark.

• The proposal for the 3.3-acre site includes 7,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor and 160 apartments on the upper floors.

Zoom in: The project would receive nearly $6.8 million in incentives over 30 years.

• The property would generate an estimated $26 million in taxes over that period, compared to $2.6 million without the project, according to city estimates.

The intrigue: The project would include several sustainability features, including all-electric appliances, drought-tolerant native landscaping, and low-flow indoor fixtures.

• All residents would also receive a DART all-access pass.

What's next: If approved Monday, the project would still need site plan approval, Urban Design Review Board consideration, and return for final council approval.

• Construction could begin in spring 2027, with completion expected in 2028.

"Are there plans to put an exit off I-80 between Jordan Creek and Grand Prairie at Ashworth Road?" — Julia Sayers Gokhale, WDM

Answer: Not anytime soon.

• The Iowa DOT's current I-80 widening project between Grand Prairie Parkway and Jordan Creek Parkway does not include a new Ashworth Road exit.

Yes, but: West Des Moines is considering the idea.

• The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's FY 2026-29 plan lists a $1.25 million interchange justification report for Ashworth Road and I-80 in fiscal year 2029.
• That report would be an early required step before a new interstate interchange could move forward, but it's not a guarantee that one will be built.

State of play: The timing is uncertain, West Des Moines spokesperson Janet Wilwerding tells Axios.

• The city also cannot proceed with the interchange justification report until Ashworth Road in Waukee is widened to Grand Prairie Parkway, which could be 2029 or later.
• Projects in the first two years of the city's five-year Capital Improvement Plan are generally on track, but those in the later years could be postponed, Wilwerding says.

The bottom line: Metro planners have this on their radar.

⭐️ 1 fun thing to go: Ashworth Road and I-80 was the answer to yesterday's "Where's Jason?"

• Axios DSM reader Fred Gedden won two tickets to "Legally Blonde The Musical," courtesy of the DSM Playhouse.

Hidden behind Iowa corn and soybean fields is a hip-hop and arts festival that aims to show diversity in music, art and community in small-town Iowa.

Driving the news: Middle of Nowhere festival is hosting its third annual event tomorrow at The Cellar Winery in Madrid.

What's new: This year's event includes headliner and indie hip-hop artist Naethan Apollo.

• A new "mini mural maze" will also include local art and feed into a cornfield where people can take photos.
• The lineup also includes the festival's first Spanish-speaking performer.

The intrigue: The name Middle of Nowhere is a play on the phrase, "Now Here" — signifying that rural Iowa is a place that matters right now, rather than being overlooked, founder Siriaco Garcia tells Axios.

If you go: 1-9pm, 2183 320th St., Madrid. Free!

Friday

🎡 Ankeny SummerFest | Kick off the weekend with carnival rides, live music, local food vendors, and this year's "Jingle in July" Summerfest theme. | Friday-Sunday | The District at Prairie Trail | Free!

🎥 "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" | Beat the heat with a free afternoon movie screening. Popcorn and water are provided | 1:30pm | West Des Moines Public Library | Free!

👑 Shrek Rave | Get your swamp squad together for an over-the-top dance party inspired by everyone's favorite ogre. Costumes encouraged. | 9pm | Wooly's | $30

Saturday

🎻 Beaverdale Bluegrass Festival | Check out regional and national bluegrass acts, food trucks, local beer, and a laid-back neighborhood atmosphere under the Beaverdale water tower. | Music at 2:30pm | Free!

🎨 Social Saturday: Free To Be | Enjoy storytime, a screening of "Powwow People," art activities, scavenger hunts, guided outdoor tours, and family-friendly crafts. | 11am–2pm | Des Moines Art Center | Free!

Sunday

🌋 Lord of the Rings Drag Brunch | One brunch to rule them all! Enjoy an over-the-top drag brunch featuring Middle Earth-inspired performances. | 2pm | Funny Bone Comedy Club | $27

Linh here. I'm growing giant pumpkins in the hopes of showing one of them at the Iowa State Fair.

• They're aptly named Hope #1 and Hope #2 (just in case).

Flashback: Last week, I excitedly shared that both pumpkin plants were almost ready for pollination.

• Once a female pumpkin flower is hand-pollinated, the actual gourd growing begins.

Yes, but: Tragedy struck.

• When the giant heat dome draped itself across Iowa last week, the female flowers responded by ... dying.
• I call last week "The Great Warm Moist Towelette of Doom 2026."

Guys. No joke, it's rough over here in the 50311.

Zoom in: If I had until October, I would feel OK. But the fair is next month.

• I was so confident in my pumpkin-growing skills in April that I told my employer we may need to expense a forklift.
• Now, I don't even know if Hope will take up a seat in the back of my Subaru.

🎃 Sometimes, you need to hit rock bottom before you make a change.

• I put out frozen almond milk cartons and a camping fan to keep them cool.
• They have a shade canopy now.
• I've quadrupled the fertilizer.

🥹 The bottom vine: Look at how beautiful and bulbous these female flowers look.

• If I turn in the cutest tiny giant pumpkin next month, so be it.

Countdown: 35 days until judgment day.