A little more blue
One would have difficulty talking about Iowa City without mentioning the University of Iowa. Much the same could be said for Ames and Iowa State, and even Cedar Falls with UNI. But Drake is not always synonymous with Des Moines, and it should be.
We are reminded of the importance of the university/city relationship a few times a year. The Drake/Des Moines tie is truly unique with large-scale moments when the unity is obvious. The most visible example is happening right now with the Drake Relays. With a $25 million economic impact to the area, the Relays has become more than a track meet. Much more.
The street painting tradition is a small but symbolic example of the relationship between Drake and Des Moines. As in years past, squares were painted by Drake University students on Carpenter Avenue between 27th and 28th streets. But new this year is painting downtown, where businesses and organizations joined in the fun by creating their art on the sidewalks along Court Avenue between Third and Fourth streets. The paint will remain on the sidewalks throughout the year and will be visible to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit Court Avenue, bridging the gap between the two and giving Des Moines a deeper shade of blue.
Thanks for reading. CV
