What’s Next, Downtown?
10 June 2008
Approved by the Des Moines City Council: March 10, 2008 [resolution 08-110]
Approved by the Polk County Board of Supervisors: March 11, 2008
Endorsed by the Downtown Community Alliance Board of Directors
I am pleased to share “What’s Next, Downtown” with you. After a decade of unparalleled downtown investment resulting from the
1994 Vision Plan, this plan identifies “What’s Next” for our future. It provides initiatives and best practices for our city to build on our
accomplishments and create Des Moines as a truly great American city for the 21st Century.
Steering Committee Chairman:
Franklin Cownie, City of Des Moines Mayor
Steering Committee Co-Chariwoman:
Angela Connolly, Polk County Board of Supervisors
This great vision could not have been possible without the noteworthy partnership that produced this Plan. The City of Des Moines, Polk
County, and Downtown Community Alliance, representing the business community, came together to form an unprecedented collaboration.
This joint effort puts the most important ideas forward for the advancement of downtown and offers the best possibility of realizing the
ambitious proposals held within this Plan.
If you look at downtown today, you see the fruits of our city’s projects ranging from the century-old gems to a glistening new Public
Library, Science Center, and Iowa Events Center. Principal Riverwalk is under construction and a world class sculpture collection is slated
for placement in Gateway Park. New corporate offices, delectable restaurants, a wide variety of housing options and interesting shops have
created an appealing environment for workers, residents and visitors. We are fortunate to have engaged leadership, civic pride and passionate
supporters that invest in the downtown and take on projects for the betterment of our community.
We have accomplished many major new projects in the past few years. When we embarked upon this downtown plan, it was important to us
that we support these new investments while expanding these developments in a sustainable way for the future. We want to create a vibrant
urban area in which we achieve a sustainable future in business, residential, cultural and recreation areas.
We started this planning process by asking the basic question of how we wanted our downtown to function, look and feel to us as its users
and what the downtown will need so that future generations will continue to identify Des Moines as the heart of Iowa.
Steering Committee Co-Chariman:
Jim Cownie, 2007 Chair of the
Greater Des MoinesPartnership
Downtown Planning Project Steering Committee:
Franklin Cownie (Chairman), Angela Connolly (Co-Chairwoman), Jim Cownie
(Co-Chairman), Mollie Anderson, Chris Coleman, Eric Crowell (Joe Corfits
- alternate), Dann Flaherty (Kaye Lozier - alternate), Todd Garner, Marian Gelb,
Christine Hensley, David Hurd, Kevin Johnson, Joe LeValley, Robb McCammon,
Brian Meyer, Mary O’Keefe, Sarah Oltrogge, John Ruan, Art Slusark, Mike Utley,
Marc Ward, and Ben Washburn
Technical Committee:
City of Des Moines: Richard Clark
Polk County: Sue Elliott
Downtown Community Alliance: Mary Lawyer
Our answer centered around providing connections for where we work, live and ‘play’. The way which we move about our city became a
consummate underpinning of how we ensure these successes. Providing transportation options --- including a downtown tram to connect
various places in downtown, uniting our unique skywalk system with re-invigorated sidewalks, and a notion of a ‘green’ downtown with parks,
trails, bike lanes, connections to our Rivers -- emerged as key ideas to transform the way we use our downtown. We are enthusiastic about
these ‘movement’ proposals that will enhance the livability of the metropolitan area and the development potential of downtown.
I have a special interest in downtown as owner of a century-old family business that has its origins on Market Street. I know first-hand that
urban development faces distinct challenges. It can also realize great rewards. Downtown must continue to build on its strength as a regional
business hub for large and small businesses. We must ensure that ‘living downtown’ grows in its attractiveness and the downtown population
continues to expand. Cultural development in downtown has reached a new pinnacle with an array of live performance events and venues,
new restaurants and unique shops. However, we know we have not reached our full potential. To strengthen our livability and economic
attractiveness, our cultural options must expand and excel.
Much has been accomplished. For that, we offer our thanks. Yet, to stride ahead, BOLDLY, into the 21st Century, much is left to do. Our
enthusiasm for these “What’s Next” initiatives is profuse; our collective commitment is steadfast. As with the accomplishments of those
before us, we set our standards high. We challenge you to join us as we create a great city with world-class achievements that will be our
legacy for the next generations.
Respectfully,
Project Liaison: Andrea Hauer, City of Des Moines
Consultants:
Mario Gandelsonas and Diana Agrest, Agrest and Gandelsonas
Erin Olson-Douglas
T. M. Franklin Cownie
Mayor, City of Des Moines
Steering Committee Chairman
i.
TABLE of CONTENTS
aerial photograph of downtown looking northwest: Des Moines River and downtown Des Moines skyline, Septermber 2006
ii.
1
2
Preface
Contents
Executive Summary
i
ii-iii
iv - xiii
Background
1 - 35
Movement
36 - 75
Walnut Street Transformation
41 - 48
Walnut Street
Downtown Tram System
Downtown Transit Center
Integrating Parking and Transit
Skywalks & Sidewalks
49 - 58
Re-invigorate the Skywalk System
Expand the Skywalk System
Connect the Skywalk and Sidewalk Systems
Enhance the Pedestrian Experience at the Sidewalk Level
Greening Downtown
59 - 75
Urban Bike Lanes and Trails
A Network of Parks
Celebrate the Rivers
3
Development
Downtown as a Business Hub
76 - 110
80 - 85
Traditional Downtown Core
North
South
East
Living Downtown
86 - 98
Downtown Neighborhoods
Education
Transportation
Shopping and Services
Open Space and Parks
Integrating Parking and Transit
Cultural Development
99 - 109
An Infill Strategy
Significant Sites
Historic and Cultural Districts
Civic Places
Building a Legacy
4
5
District Planning and Design Guidelines
111 - 124
Plan Priorities
125 - 135
Acknowledgements
iii.
136
TABLE of CONTENTS
CONTENTS
iv.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
downtown des moines planning project
v.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OVERVIEW
Downtown Des Moines has been the recipient of unprecedented
investment in the past decade. Nearly$2.8 billion dollars have
been spent on a broad range of downtown projects since the
turn of the millennium in this metropolitan area with a population
of about half million people. Visionary ambitions outlined by
several significant planning efforts in the 1980-1990’s, including
the Des Moines Vision Plan and the Major Projects Task Force
findings, inspired a wave of investment in civic, commercial,
residential, infrastructure and recreational projects, and spurred
a sense of collaboration among the business community, the
City of Des Moines, and Polk County. This collaborative spirit,
paired with the momentum of recent successes, has produced
a shared desire to understand the implications of this recent
downtown activity, capitalize on the investments, and plan for
new opportunities.
The Downtown Des Moines Planning Project is a co-sponsored
study by the City of Des Moines, Polk County, and Downtown
Community Alliance. These groups collectively recognized the
accomplishments that have been made as well as the potential
of our downtown. This project comes at a juncture where people
from across the city, metropolitan, state and region are beginning
to look at this thriving urban area for much more than its
GOALS
traditional role as an employment center. In addition to providing
approximately 70,000 jobs, downtown Des Moines is now home
to several thousand residents and, with such venues as the Iowa
Events Center, Principal Park, the Brenton Skating Plaza, Court
Avenue, the Civic Center of Greater Iowa and Gateway Park, it also
serves as a regional entertainment center and visitor destination.
1.
Identify future downtown opportunities
2.
Propose frameworks that capitalize on existing and
future downtown investments and/or catalyze further
development.
3.
Develop strategies for building synergy and linkages
between downtown amenities, such as:
Iowa Events Center, the Brenton Ice Skating Plaza,
Iowa Historical Building, Iowa State Capitol, East Locust
Street and the East Village, Botanical Center, Principal
Riverwalk, Center Street Pedestrian Bridge, Asian
Gardens, World Food Prize Headquarters, Civic Center
and Nollen Plaza, Central Library, Western Gateway
Park, Court Avenue, Science Center of Iowa, Principal
Park, Gray’s Lake Park, John Dorrian downtown trail
network (including Meredith Trail, Kruidenier Trail, the
ML King Jr. Trail, and the Principal Riverwalk), Pappajohn
Higher Education Center, and Hoyt Sherman Place.
4.
Generate support from the public and private
sectors and expand momentum for downtown
investment.
Utilizing the foundations of Des Moines’ earliest planning, this
project builds on the unique and exemplary 20th Century urban
structure with Locust Street’s view to the State Capitol, Court
Avenue’s focus on the Polk County Courthouse and our civic Des
Moines Riverfront. This project supports our new downtown
amenities, aiming to bolster their utilization. The contribution of
the ideas presented herewithin is the way that they will significantly
alter how people use our downtown area and the many
opportunities it offers. These ideas enhance our downtown and
prepare our city for economic, social, environmental, and cultural
advances that will benefit future generations.
Much progress has been made in downtown Des Moines; much is
left to do. Please enjoy the following pages and indulge yourself:
imagine how you and future generations will use our downtown
with the proposed initiatives.
photographs (clockwise from upper left): the Court Avenue bridge across the Des Moines River, the Iowa State Capitol at the east end of East Locust Street, warehouse conversion to housing on Court Avenue, Central Public Library in Gateway Park, East Village shops on East Locust Street, Wells Fargo Arena at the Iowa Events Center
vi.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A
STUDY BOUNDARY
VE
AV
E
20TH ST
R
RD S
C
VAN
P
STUDY BOUNDARY
CO
Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy
E
PL
E
T AV
COUR
TH S
STUDY BOUNDARY
P
VINE
P
P
ULB
ST
O
ST
P
NS
ALLE
P
T
MARK
TIN LUT
W MAR
HER KIN
MARK
ET ST
future
KWAY
G JR. PAR
IN
vii.
W
Over $2.8B invested in
downtown Des Moines
since 2000!
E
ST
UD
YB
OU
ND
AR
Y
ST
Jr.
King
ther
rtin Lu
E. Ma
ay
Parkw
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PROPOSALS
Proposals are grouped into two catagories: Movement and
Development.
Movement concepts address the ways which people get around
downtown and move between places in the city. Typically, these
proposals are associated with public sector investment or publicprivate collaboration.
Development proposals are somewhat speculative. They
generally address private sector response to a number of
conditions, including recent investments in the downtown as well
as those proposed in the Movement section.
VISION and PRINCIPLES
Des Moines City Council Goal for a
“vibrant downtown area”
Downtown Des Moines will be a ‘24-7’ city
within a city with a strong employment base,
and a variety of opportunities for
entertainment, recreation, housing, and retail.
per 2006 Des Moines City Council 12 Goals
authored by Mayor Cownie and Council members Coleman, Kiernan, Hensley, Mahaffey, and Vlassis.
Downtown Des Moines has traditionally been the metropolitan
area’s commercial business center. It is now increasingly a leisure
and entertainment destination for metropolitan residents and
state, regional, and national visitors. Meanwhile, the past five years
have seen downtown become the residential location of choice
for a growing number of people.
As this plan developed, it becomes evident we are asking our
downtown to provide a place not only for working, but also for
living and playing. In addition to providing a downtown for this
array of uses, public input suggested that, as the core of our city,
our county, and our state, downtown Des Moines will be most
successful if it concentrates on a few key principles. Overlaying
the vision for a “vibrant downtown area,” the following principles
were recurring themes in discussions with the steering committee,
stakeholders, and from the input offered by several hundred
people who attended public meetings throughout the process:
viii.
Vibrant: Exciting. Stimulating. Lively. Energetic. Full of activity.
Animated. Colorful. These are all terms used to describe a vibrant
downtown. Ultimately, this principle comes downtown to people.
The proposals strive to create a downtown that is inviting, vibrant
place for people to live, work, and play.
Healthy: Fit. Prosperous. Clean. Strength. Flourishing. Active.
This principal has a couple of applications. First, it calls for
aspects which improve the wellness of people in the city -- trails,
recreation facilities, pedestrian focus, bicyclist amenities, and
events. “Healthy” also refers to the environmental quality of
our urban environment. Proposals made in this plan, such as
downtown transit, mixed use development, greening downtown,
and celebrating the Rivers, adhere to sound environmental
principles and will improve the health of our downtown.
Diverse: Variety. Unique. Different. Distinct. Interesting.
Diversity was identified as one of downtown Des Moines’
unique advantages, with planning participants identifying that
downtown’s diversity needs to be fostered in order to achieve
future successes. Diversifying business, cultural, and housing
opportunities will encourage interest in downtown from a variety
of Des Moines residents and visitors.
Accessible: Open. Available. Inviting. Approachable. Usable.
Many of those participating in the plan input expressed an
egalitarian view of downtown Des Moines. It is important
that downtown is appealing and accessible to a wide range
of ages, income levels, and demographic backgrounds. This
principle addresses our cultural offerings, range of housing and
transportation options, and business opportunities.
MOVEMENT recommendations:
Transform Walnut Street
Create a downtown transit system
Introduce a network of urban bike lanes
Improve walkability
Skywalk revival
Integrate parking
Create a network of urban public spaces
Celebrate the Rivers
Sustainability as a core principle
DEVELOPMENT recommendations:
Downtown as a business hub
Downtown as the center of many seats of government
Living downtown
High density mixed use development
Enticing and unique retail, restaurant, entertainment, and
hospitality opportunities
Excellence in downtown education
Expanded downtown cultural offerings
Celebrate downtown’s arts, architecture, and culture
Sustainability as a core principle
ILL
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
E 8TH S
E 7TH ST
E 6TH ST
ST
INO
IS
S
5TH AVE
TH ST
11T
11TH
12TH
1
2TH
H ST
H ST
13TH
10TH ST
S
8TH ST
16TH
H ST
17TH
H ST
S
T ST
18TH
18T
19TH
1
9TH ST
21ST ST
T
ST
ANAN
BUCH
BUCHANAN
BUCHA
BUCH
HA
ANAN
NAN ST
N
T
TH ST
E 11
LAUREL
LAUREL
L ST
h ST
th
E 13
LAUREL
LA
AUREL
AU
REL
L ST
S
LAUREL
L ST
TH ST
E 12
ASCENSION
SC
ST
ST
RD
3R
3
ASCENSION
ASCENSI
SCENSION
S
IO
ON ST
ST
ATKINS
ATKIN
NS ST
ER ST
AY ST
DA
DAY
WALK
WALKER
WALKE
R ST
DAY ST
S
WALKER
W
ALKER S
ST
DAY
DA
A ST
AY
S
I-235
II-235
2 Westboun
stbo d
I-235
E ST
LE
PL
AP
MA
I-235 Eastbound
SCHOOL
SCHOO
S
CHOOL
L ST
SCHOOL
SC
S
CH
CHO
HOOL
O
OOL
OL ST
ST
O
OLIVE
E AVE
A
CO
AK
RID
G
E
SA
T
E ST
LE
APLE
MAPL
M
2ND AVE
WR
RIV
IVE
VE
ER
R DR
DR
ST
3RD S
5TH AVE
7TH ST
6TH AVE
8TH
8
TH ST
9TH ST
P
19TH PL
ON
LYO
20TH ST
PLEASANT ST
T
P
CH
CHESTNU
HESTN
NUT
T ST
ST
ST
DS
E 2N
PLEASANT ST
S
SS
O
N
S
1 tth
E 13
14
14TH
4TH PL
L
S
ST
12TH
KA
4TH ST
17TH ST
P
16TH ST
S
18T
18TH
TH ST
ST
S
9TH ST
19
19TH
PLEASANT
P
SA
ST
T
DEY ST
T
S
20TH ST
ST
PARK S
PAR
ROW
RIDAL R
BRIDAL
Martin
M
Ma
rtin
ti Lu
Luther
L tth
ther King
K ng
Kin
g Jr P
Pk
Pkwy
k y
kwy
H ST
E 9T
AV
A AVE
IA
NIA
NI
N
Y
YLVAN
NNSY
ENNSY
EN
PENNSYLVAN
PE
P
R
D
H PL
TH
8T
T
ISS
D
O
H
ET
M
P
ST
ES S
MOIN
DES
D ST
E 2N
CENTER
C
E ST
ST
H ST
E 5T
LEYNER
L
LEYNE
R ST
T
th ST
13th
E 13
ST
E 4TH ST
T
11TH ST
AY
W
CROCKER
CROC
C
ROC
CKER
C
KER ST
T
S
T ST
TH
UA
H ST
E 7T
P
UQ
AV
E
E 11
DR
O
GR
OV
E
KE
TT
AG
E
T
10TH ST
OL
OLIVE
LIVE AV
AVE
VE
ST
P
H ST
E 5T
LINDEN
NDEN ST
ST
2
12TH
D ST
E 3R
ST
14TH ST
14T
P
P
LINDE
EN ST
INGERSOLL
ERSOLL AVE
D ST
SE 3R
19TH
19
9TH ST
P/T
P
9TH
VINE
ST
ET ST
N ST
ALLE
MARK
EU
R
FL
A E
T AV
OTT
SCOT
W ST
SHAW
KEY :
SW
T
ST
HS
SH
ASH
A
WABA
SW
T
ST
5TH
W
AT
ER
existing building
ST
T
ST
RY S
MAUR
T
H ST
ST
H ST
9TH
9T
S
TH ST
W 11
SW
T
H ST
SW 7T
SW 6T
SW
T
ST
8TH
SW
SW
SW 14TH ST
ay
Parkw
P
ST
ELM
Me
ere
e
rred
re
dith
ith T
TRL
ng Jr.
Kin
TH ST
W
E. ML
E
H ST
SE 9T
S
ML Ki
King
ng
g Jr.
J
way
Jr. Park
ing Jr.
King
n Luther
Martin
SE 11
P
TH ST
SE 10
DR
N ST
ON
OO
RACC
S
ST
E M
E EL
T
D ST
SE 2N
T
ET ST
MARK
H ST
RY ST
CHER
C
ST
FLEUR
FL
F
LEUR
LE
LEUR
R DR
R
4T
W4
SW
ST
ST
NER
WAG
11TH
T
ST
13TH
ON DR
FALC
T
ST
ST
ide DR
Rivers
ERRY
MULB
S
LE ST
proposed building
TUTT
VALE
ST
renovated building
E
D AV
AD
A
ROA
ILR
(planned)
E RA
ST
TUTTLE
MURPHY ST
M
planned development
downtown transit
Mer
edith
TRL
existing open space
VIN
NGST
ON
planned open space
AVE
LN
MTA
planned street
improvement
AVE
SE
SE
3RD
ST
SW
AV
VE
E
NO
DIA
ix.
2N
ND
CT
T
LA
RD
EE
EDIS
ON
GRAYS
GRAY
YS LAKE
LAK
KE TRL
planned bridge or dam
construction / modification
existing trail/bike lane
SE 4T
ED
E
DIS
DI
SO
ON
N AV
VE
E
S
long-term plan for potential
development in downtown
Des Moines
SE 5T
5TH ST
ST
T
AN
NG
GER
AVE
1ST
OLA
ANO
E GR
H ST
AN ST
INDI
MORG
SE 6TH
T ST
TH
E JA
CK
KS
SO
SON
N AV
A E
SE 8T
8TH
TH ST
E LI
planned
trail/bike
lane
E GRANGE
GRAN
GRANGER
NGER
ER AVE
bike rental, storage
and /or rider facilities
DR A
FT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
MOVEMENT
Walnut Street Transformation
Stretching from one end of the downtown to the other and
crossing the Des Moines River, Walnut Street covers a range of
urban conditions from old warehouses and single story service
shops mixed with fledgling art galleries to the west, to a vacant
department store, multi-million dollar corporate headquarters,
high rise office buildings, an urban public plaza at the center, to
civic buildings at the River, to sparse development at the east
before passing the State Capitol with its verdant grounds. The
mid-1980’s saw a 7-block stretch of Walnut Street converted to a
metropolitan bus transit mall.
This proposal removes the devoted bus-only use and returns
Walnut to a conventional urban street, suggesting that it become
a “movement spine” through the downtown. Walnut Street
Transformation proposes 2-way traffic, on-street parking, bike
lanes, active ground level uses, renewed landscape, vertical
skywalk access points and that Walnut Street serve as the route
for a new downtown transit system. This proposal explores the
creation of nodes for transit stops that serve as locations for
higher intensity development. Three of these nodes (15th Street,
2nd/3rd Streets, and East 6th Street) would also serve as the
location for future north-south downtown transit routes.
Transforming Walnut Street imagines a significant shift in the way
that people use downtown Des Moines
Skywalks & Sidewalks
Des Moines’ skywalk system is the most extensive system of its
kind in this country with more than three miles of public walkways
including sixty bridges crosssing downtown streets and alleys.
From its 1970’s inception, the system has focused on creating an
interior experience at the second level of buildings and above the
streets. The skywalk system is largely blamed for siphoning activity
from the sidewalks. With the oldest skywalk sections are approaching thirty years, many parts of the system are showing their age.
Meanwhile, attention to sidewalks has mainly been perfunctory.
A thorough modernization plan is needed to carry the system
into the next generation. Most importantly, Skywalks & Sidewalks
proposes re-examining the links between the ground and skywalk
levels. A network of indentifiable vertical access points between
the skywalk and sidewalk levels is proposed. Highest priority
for these vertical links are new development and Walnut Street,
where connections can be made to downtown transit. Expansion
of the skywalk boundary to connect to emerging areas, such
as Gateway Park, Methodist Hospital, Wells Fargo Arena, Court
Avenue, and north of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway is explored.
Finally, improvements to the skywalk system need to coincide
with a commitment to improving the quality of the sidewalk
experience. Priority streets are identified as a part of this proposal.
Vibrant and beautiful urban street life with our unique skywalk
system would elevate the pedestrian experience at both levels
while promoting use of downtown during our harshest seasons.
Greening Downtown
Downtown is truly a hub for regional trail users with its
connection to over 300 miles of Central Iowa trails. Public spaces
such as Nollen Plaza and the State Capitol Grounds, as well as
the open spaces at private companies such as Principal Financial
and American Republic Insurance offer downtown’s workforce
respite for lunchtime outings and breaks. However, as downtown
becomes a place to live and play, the open space needs to adapt
to its new users.
Greening Downtown proposes a network of parks that includes
active uses such as playing courts, dog parks, water activities,
playgrounds, and community gardens. This network of parks
utilizes the strong tradition of trails that converge in downtown
and includes a proposal for a system of urban bike lanes linking
to the trail system and downtown parks and providing a viable
transportation alternative. One of the most significant projects
currently underway in downtown is the Principal Riverwalk, a
one-mile riverfront revitalization project that includes a loop trails,
and a promenade as well as a series of discrete parks. Greening
Downtown proposes building on this momentum of celebrating
the Rivers to include water activities and recreation, attention to
the bridges, and riverfront development.
Greening Downtown would produce a downtown system of parks
and open spaces that enhance daily life of downtown workers
and residents, attract visitors, and promote bicycling as a viable
transportation mode as well as recreational activity.
OP
C
PS
CS
ML
NP
GP
MS
CH
LQ
MK
PP
RA
OP
MS
GP
ML
PS
NP
CH
MK
CS
C
PP
LQ
RA
Transforming Walnut Street includes all modes of downtown movement: walking, biking, autos, and transit
x.
creating connections between the sidewalk and skywalk levels is an important priority
EXISTING GREEN CORRIDORS
PROPOSED GREEN CORRIDO
PROPOSED GREEN CORRIDO
PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY CORRID
OAKRIDGE PARK AND SCHOO
MEREDITH SQUARE
GATEWAY PARK
METHODIST HOSPITAL GREEN
PRINCIPAL PLAZA
NOLLEN PLAZA
COURTHOUSE SQUARE
DEPOT PARK
CITY HALL PLAZA
CAPITOL & STATE PEOPLE'S P
PRINCIPAL PARK
ELM STREET SQUARES
ADVENTURE RECREATION
a network of parks, trails, urban bike lanes,
river activity,public arts system
are part of Greening Downtown
Downtown as a Business Hub
Recent investments in downtown, as well as those proposed
in the Movement section, create a wide variety of commercial
opportunities in downtown.
This section identifies four distinct areas of downtown with
unique development potential. The northern section (N) offers
frontage on Gateway Park, as well as adjacency to the newly
reconstructed I-235 freeway. It has the benefit of being almost
entirely within the boundary of the skywalk system. The eastern
section (E) is defined by the State Capitol and the East Village.
Infill, adaptive reuse, and new construction are all available in
this area. Access created by transit on Walnut and E. 6th Streets
will allow greater flexibility for live, work, and parking situations.
Riverfront development is also an opportunity in this area. The
southern section (S) benefits greatly from the new Martin Luther
King Jr. Parkway. The Parkway offers a range of highly-visible,
easily-accessible commercial development opportunities with
skywalk access possible to blocks north of the Parkway. The
central core (C) is a compact collection of mainly for-lease office
space, offering adequate parking, skywalk connection, and
transit access. Some infill and redevelopment opportunites exist
throughout the core.
Taken together, these areas support traditional insurance and
financial service strengths while providing opportunities for
smaller businesses, entrepreneurs, and emerging markets.
Living Downtown
Through targeted initiatives, downtown Des Moines has doubled
its downtown residential population in recent years. With
approximately 6500 people living downtown, there is evidence
of a market for downtown housing and the first threshold has
been cleared for attracting downtown residents. Many more
opportunities for downtown housing abound, meanwhile
establishing a vibrant downtown area is dependent upon a
robust resident population.
Cultural Development
As with residential development in downtown, significant cultural
amenities have emerged in recent years. Since 2000, downtown
has realized a new Science Center, new Central Library, an Events
Center with its multi-purpose arena and convention space,
Gateway Park, new bars and restaurants on Court Avenue, and
specialty retail and eateries in the rejuvenated East Village. These
important places impact all areas of the downtown, but are
separated from each other by several blocks.
Living Downtown identifies areas where creating downtown
neighborhoods is possible. Through public input, it was clear
that those who live in Des Moines identify with a specific
neighborhood in the city. In the course of developing
additional housing, downtown has the potential to offer unique
neighborhoods as well. East Village, South of Woodland, Gateway
West, Gray’s Landing, Court Avenue, the Events Center area, South
of ML King Parkway, Lower East Village, Northeast Riverfront,
and Oakridge all have the possiblity to be distinct, vibrant
neighborhoods in the downtown area.
Cultural Development proposes that future cultural attractions
such as retail, restaurants, arts venues, entertainment amenities,
and hospitality concentrate along strategic routes to improve
connections between our important cultural amenities. This
section also identifies significant sites for future cultural
development such that these future investments best support
existing amenities and downtown’s unique urban structure.
Historic resources, notable historical civic structures, and the
future of this civic presence in downtown are also identified in this
section. Establishing a fourth downtown cultural district at the
west end of Walnut Street is proposed to bolster the existing and
planned arts activity in this area.
If developed to appropriate urban densities, these areas represent
the capacity for adding 8,000 - 12,000 housing units to downtown.
While this is an exciting prospect for the city, it also requires
focus in order to create densities that will support the range of
urban amenities, such as parks, retail, services, transportation, and
education, that entice people to live downtown.
Cultural Development imagines enhancing one’s experience of
downtown Des Moines, supporting existing and future cultural
resources and effectively drawing scattered places closer together.
MERCY
HOSPITAL
I-235 WEST
I-235 EAST
I-235
I-235 WEST
I-235
MERCY
HOSPITAL
E
STREET
CENTER
PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE
LOCU
C
PRINCIPAL
THE
DES MOINES
REGISTER
E
CITY
OF
DES
MOINES
AVIVA
D AVE
GRAN
QWEST
ST ST
UT ST
WALN
FEDERAL
GOV’T
LOCU
OAD
RAILR N
UNION STRIA
PEDE
E
BRIDG
EMC
POLK
COUNTY
RAILR
OAD
UNION
s
MIDAMERICAN
ENERGY
OAD
RAILR N
UNION STRIA
PEDE
E
BRIDG
OAD
RAILR
UNION
SE CONNECTOR
EU
R
DR
FLEUR DR
MEREDITH
HER
N LUT
RTI G JR.
KIN KWAY.
PAR
SE CONNECTOR
FL
2021
MA
AVE
TT
ST
/ SCO
existing
attractio
1ST
AVE
TT
/ SCO
1ST
ST
RA
/
D
OA D)
ILR NE
DO
AN
propose
ST
ST
existing
entertain
ST
ST
2028
cultural
opportu
existing
xi.
ST
SW
existing growth in downtown residents with capacity for ~20,000 new residents projected over 20 years
EST
BRI RIA
DGE N
commer
busines
0'
SW 9TH
PED
ST
ST
future cultural investments should occur
at significant sites and between
existing downtown amenities
propose
SW 7TH
SW 7TH
downtown has unique and varied potential
for commercial development
propose
entertain
JACK
PEDE SON
STRI
AN
BRID
GE
SE 6TH
SW 3RD
JACK
PEDE SON
STRI
AN
BRID
GE
existing
public a
existing
SE 6TH
SE
KEY :
RA
(AB
SW 3RD
TH
N
EDI
RIA
MER
EST
PED DGE
BRI
D
OA D)
ILR NE
DO
AN
(AB
TH
N
EDI
RIA
MER
EST
PED DGE
BRI
S
SE
HER
N LUT
RTI G JR.
KIN KWAY.
PAR
MA
PED
EST
BRI RIA
DG
N
E
FLEUR DR
FL
F
FLEUR
LEUR
EUR DR
R
ST ST
UT ST
WALN
T AVE
COUR
CITY
OF
DES
MOINES
T AVE
COUR
WELLMARK
2 mile
D AVE
GRAN
POLK
COUNTY
AVIVA
WELLS
FARGO
FINANCIAL
STREET
CENTER
PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE
= 1,000 residents
FEDERAL
GOV’T
WELLMARK
ING
ALLIED/
NATIONWIDE
FT
2007
AMERICAN
REPUBLIC
PRINCIPAL
LIFE INS.
METHODIST
MEDICAL
CENTER
DRA
2014
Martin
M
ti Luther
L th K
King
g Jr Pkwy
Pk y
STATE OF IOWA
DR
N
EU
R
GR
OV
E AV
FL
TTA
TAG
GE
E
2000
I-235 EAST
CO
200'
600'
1400'
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DEVELOPMENT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
DISTRICT PLANNING and DESIGN GUIDELINES
As downtown has evolved in the past decade or so, the challenge of connecting the east and west parts of downtown is being overcome.
This accomplishment opens up opportunities to discover the quilt of districts that surround the traditional core of downtown. This graphic
provides a key to the districts that are discussed individually in the District Planning and Design Guidelines section of the report.
OR
NE
IEC
SH
E
D AV
GRAN
GN
EV
ST ST
LOCU
UT ST
WALN
CD
SW
E
T AV
COUR
D
G
OA
RAILR N
UNION STRIA
PEDE IDGE
BR
CA
UNION
OA
RAILR
D
LE
FL
EU
R
DR
TSV
SE CONNECTOR
MLK
ER
TH
N LU .
RTI G JR .
MA KIN WAY
RK
PA
D ST
SW 3R
GL
JACK
PEDE SON
ST
BRID RIAN
GE
SW 7TH
PE
DES
BR TRIA
IDG
N
E
ST
SW 9TH
ST
xii.
T ST
1S
SE
ITH
ED AN
MER STRI
E
DE
PE
IDG
BR
SWR
/ SC
OTT
AV
E
SER
CD
SH
SW
G
TSV
EV
CA
GL
GN
OR
LE
MLK
IEC
NE
SWR
SER
D )
OA ED
ILR ON
RA ND
BA
(A
1-CENTRAL DISTRICT
2-SHERMAN HILL STUDY AREA
3-SOUTH OF WOODLAND STUDY AREA
4-GATEWAY STUDY AREA
5-10TH STREET VILLAGE
6-EAST VILLAGE STUDY AREA
7-COURT AVENUE STUDY AREA
8-GRAY'S LANDING STUDY AREA
9-GATEWAY NORTH STUDY AREA
10-OAKRIDGE STUDY AREA
11-LOWER EAST SIDE STUDY AREA
12-MARTIN LUTHER KING STUDY AREA
13-IOWA EVENTS CENTER STUDY AREA
14-NORTH EDGE STUDY AREA
15-SOUTHWEST RIVERFRONT STUDY AREA
16-SOUTHWEST RIVERFRONT STUDY AREA
The District Planning and Design Guidelines are intended to
reinforce the proposals made in the movement and development
chapters and provide an introduction to the potential for the
various districts. A forthcoming Volume II, an informational
resource to this Plan, will offer further guidance and greater detail
for each district through a series of plans and diagrams.
Additionally, this section offers general guidelines for downtown
as a whole. They are sound urban planning principles explained
in a manner that relates to downtown Des Moines and addresses
issues such as density, balancing modes of transportation,
parking, quality construction and development, sustainability,
scale, mix of uses, and landscape.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PLAN PRIORITIES
The proposals outlined in this plan, when implemented,
represent a bold shift in the way in which workers, residents and
visitors use and access our downtown. They are forward-thinking
and take a proactive stance to create a vibrant, accessible, diverse,
and healthy urban area for the Des Moines metropolitan area.
The steps to achieve these proposals are heavily interrelated and
will expand the collaboration across public and private sectors,
among public entities, and between areas of expertise that
have brought downtown’s recent accomplishments to fruition.
Teamwork spanning traditional boundaries and jurisdictions will
be essential to achieve the proposals outlined in this plan.
The PLAN
The Plan Priorities section examines the steps necessary to achieve
the vision in the plan. Here we see the ambition that will be
necessary to achieve the proposals over a 20-year time horizon.
Success relies on quality private investment and judicious public
improvements; both must make a formidable commitment to
accomplish the next steps in downtown’s evolution. For example,
commitment and investment to create Gateway Park led to ING,
Meredith Corporation, and Allied /Nationwide’s office buildings
in western downtown. Construction of Martin Luther King Jr.
Parkway has been a catalyst for the location of the Science Center
of Iowa and proposals for Gray’s Landing. Similar commitments
to infrastructure and open space will stir continued evolution of
downtown.
xiii.
The following Plan document is organized into five chapters.
Chapter 1 provides context for this planning project and covers
the process that was undertaken to produce the Plan.
Chapter 2 provides detail on the Movement proposals.
Chapter 3 provides detail about the Development proposals.
Chapter 4 outlines basic planning and design guidelines for
the various districts comprising downtown as they relate to
the Movement and Development proposals. This chapter also
reviews basic guidelines for planning and design in the whole of
downtown Des Moines.
Chapter 5 looks at phasing and implementation of the proposals
outlined in the plan by offering the Plan’s top priorities and
projects implementation in intervals over a 20-year time horizon.