Downtown Des Moines, especially west of the river, is still struggling to bounce back from the pandemic.

Why it matters: The loss of office foot traffic and energy is striking in a hub that once made the city feel alive — fewer people walking to work or meeting for lunch has led to both a visible and fiscal decline, leaving storefronts looking like relics.

What's new: Things are steadily changing for the area, including City Hall and American Equity moving into the Western Gateway area next year and the redevelopment of the Financial Center.

Yes, but: It's harder to get developers excited about revamping an existing skyscraper than building new in the Market District or MLK Corridor.

What they're saying: We reached out to local movers and shakers about how to get people back downtown.

Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen: "You're already seeing our downtown move from a business hours district to an all-day destination as more and more people make downtown their home," she said.

• "To keep building that momentum, I want to see entertainment and retail of all types continuing to open downtown and continue growing the vibrant options downtown has to offer."

Dan Houston, executive chairman of Principal Financial Group: "Des Moines must continue to cater to all ages with a vibrant environment, diverse dining and a unique culture — backed by investments in public art, walkability and the riverfront, including the ICON Water Trails."

Billy Weathers, local hip-hop artist, activist and owner of The Contrary: "Des Moines is a very interesting place. I, along with hundreds of other creatives and small business owners, are trying to make it a cool spot that people actually want to build in, but the more hoops and hurdles and [regulations] that we have to face ... I think the harder it'll continue to be."

Morgan Chicchelly, founder of Des Moines Girl: "I've always thought the riverfront is underutilized. ... It feels like there could be indoor/outdoor restaurants, beer gardens — even set up yard games here."

Paul Rottenberg, president of Orchestrate Hospitality: "I'd like to hear that there's some level of strategizing. The way we got to where we are today is we had really visionary master plans that came out of the late '90s and they were pretty concrete ... that's where we got the [Western] Gateway Park, which resulted in a whole lot of good development."

Go deeper

Jason here. The thing that's become most clear to me while newslettering for the past four years is that we provide an essential community service.

Flashback: I spent more than 20 years at the DSM Register and watched dozens of my colleagues get laid off before I left for Axios.

• I was an investigative reporter who had not covered community news in years, so I knew our metro had lost reporters — but I didn't fully recognize the effects until I took this gig.
• My mission in taking this job four years ago was to write stories that weren't covered by others — and I worried I'd have a hard time meeting the goal.

Reality check: That's never been a problem.

• There are dozens of schools, local governments, influential organizations and powerful businesses in this community that are seldom written about.
• New restaurants, cultural events and activities are also commonly overlooked.

Stunning stat: I keep a spreadsheet tracking story ideas and the list has grown to over 600.

Zoom in: A few examples of stories we brought to you first in just this last week include coverage about DSM enforcing a public sleeping ban, Hy-Vee shutting entrances to its downtown store and record city debt.

• We also wrote about a new ear-piercing studio in WDM, a Beaverdale antique shop and a $1 chicken wings special.

Threat level: The loss of reporters leaves less information about issues that affect us most.

• News ecosystems promote civic engagement, help communities make better decisions and hold the powerful accountable.

My thought bubble: People should support local news from outlets like the DSM Register, Iowa Capital Dispatch, Business Record and specialized publications like DSM Bike Notes and The Iowa Podcast.

• It's too easy to hit "block" on social media and never see divergent views or essential news.

Friday

🏀 Hoopy Hour, live music alongside Drake head coaches and athletics staff | 3:45-5pm, today; 2:45-4pm, Saturday | Tickets: $15 including game entry.

🏒 DSM Buccaneers vs. Youngstown | MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in WDM | 7pm | Tickets: $11-$22.

🎭 "Harvey:" A production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a man committed to a sanitarium | Ankeny Community Theater | Starts at 7:30pm with shows scheduled through Feb. 16. | Tickets: $15-$20.

Saturday

🚲 Sport your best fur and bike from Ricochet to Big Grove to support Above + Beyond Cancer | 11am-4pm | Tickets: $30.

Sunday

🐶 Watch the Puppy Bowl at Paws & Pints and support AHeinz57 | Noon to 4pm | Tickets: $15.

🍕 Mayor Connie Boesen: "I have a special place in my heart for classic Italian from Chuck's Pizza. Chuck's has that old Des Moines charm that makes me feel at home every time I open the door."

😋 Morgan Chicchelly: "The crispy rice wraps from Lucky Lotus. I can never get enough of those."

🥘 Billy Weathers: "Spices of Nepal is probably my guilty pleasure. I love that place. When I go there and get their butter chicken, it's religious for me."

🍜 Paul Rottenberg: "I've been eating vermicelli bowls all over the place. So that's kind of been my item of the winter."

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