Des Moines' building permit values surpassed $1 billion in the fiscal year that ended in June — the highest on record, even after adjusting for inflation, according to data presented yesterday to the City Council.

Why it matters: The surge in building permit values — roughly double the amount from the previous year — indicates developers' confidence in Des Moines despite higher interest rates and federal-level uncertainty, the city's Development Services director, Cody Christensen, told the council.

Zoom in: DSM's annual total building permit values for both private and public investments have risen each year since the pandemic, from about $375 million in FY 2020 to just over $500 million in FY 2024, based on data presented to the council.

• The FY 2025 increase was partly driven by the ongoing expansion at Des Moines International Airport and the 515 Walnut Tower, a $148 million 33-story downtown residential project expected to be completed in 2027.

Yes, but: Even excluding the large projects, permit values show consistent growth, which Christensen tells Axios can be partly attributed to the diversity of construction, including the conversion of downtown office space into residential units.

• As of last week, 1,845 new dwelling units were under construction across the city, a rate Christensen described as robust.

State of play: The city is working to simplify business procedures for developers in Des Moines, which Christensen said has contributed to the recent record.

• Of 24,000 inspections the city performed in the last fiscal year, almost all were conducted within a day of request, according to data presented to the council yesterday.
• City staff members are also now allowed to handle approval processes for some historic projects via administrative reviews rather than going through what can be an extensive board and City Council approval process.

Reality check: DSM is not immune to cyclical patterns in construction.

The big picture: Nationwide, construction spending in June fell to an annual rate of $2.14 trillion, a 2.9% decrease compared with last year, according to Census data.

What's next: In the coming months, the city will focus partly on attracting development in the new downtown Market District and across the 300-acre industrial park on the southeast side.

What we're watching: An upcoming review of Des Moines' property tax abatement policies in the coming months could influence where and how fast new housing and commercial projects become possible.

This year's heavy downpours and intense heat have left Iowans with cracked tomatoes, mildew-covered flowers and lawns speckled with orange rust.

State of play: The combination has prompted more gardeners to reach out to Iowa State this summer to ask for help on their yards and projects, says Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University.

Driving the news: The wet weather has revived plant diseases and pests not seen in years, Steil says.

• Summer annual weeds such as crabgrass, purslane and lambsquarters are "having a great time," Steil says. He advises cutting them before they go to seed, which can prevent bigger problems next year.
• In grass lawns, diseases like rust fungus (which leaves an orange residue on shoes) and leaf spot are also on the rise, particularly in shady or poorly drained areas.

Zoom in: The more extreme weather has also slowed tomato ripening and supercharged weeds, Steil says.

• Tomatoes are staying green for longer, due to high temperatures above 86°, which slows their photosynthesis process.
• And once they ripen, gardeners are finding cracks on their produce from their sudden growth due to the heavy rainfall. They may look unappetizing, but they're still good to eat, Steil says.

What's next: Keep harvesting even damaged produce to encourage new growth through early October, Steil says. Removing diseased plants helps reduce reinfection next year.

Go deeper

The leaves may still be green and the temperatures blazing, but America's favorite fall flavor is already brewing.

Why it matters: The great pumpkin spice arms race is real.

What's happening: For people who just can't wait until fall, we are in "Augtober" and Summerween — when Halloween meets the summer heat and autumnal flavors creep into menus across the country.

Between the lines: Starbucks' PSL alone pulls in around $500 million every season, according to MarketWatch.

In Iowa, you can find pumpkin spice flavors now:

• Krispy Kreme kicked off the spice parade with its Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnuts on Aug. 11.
• IHOP started serving pumpkin pancakes this week.
• Starbucks' fall menu debuts Aug. 26, four days later than last year's release.
• Dairy Queen's Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat is back Aug. 29.

🗳️ Rob Sand's gubernatorial run could serve as a model template for other Democrats campaigning in red states. (Wall Street Journal)

👀 Elwell Company purchased the former Zora location on Ingersoll. While plans are still being finalized, the company says it will not continue as a bar. (Business Record)

📈 Des Moines City Council approved an increase to gas and electricity franchise fees from 5% to 7.5% to pay for regional transit services. (WHO-13)

This week's pollinator garden comes from Des Moines' southside!

What they're saying: Jessica Reese McIntyre started her pollinator garden in 2017 and has watched it bloom since then. Here are McIntyre's tips:

• Start planning early, even a year in advance.
• You don't need to "go big or go home." Even a small patch can invite butterflies and bees.
• There are beneficial non-native plants like hostas and daylilies, but make sure you source them from somewhere that doesn't use neonicotinoids — an insecticide that kills pollinators.