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On the Move

Former Riverfront YMCA site to get 10-story residential tower?

2/10/2016

Hubbell’s agreement with the city to purchase the former grounds of the downtown YMCA has been extended until September. The agreement was previously set to expire on Jan. 29. Both the city and Hubbell are hoping to build a 10-story building at the former downtown YMCA site.

Des Moines home construction surged in 2015
Des Moines homebuilders applied for permits to construct new homes by an increased rate of 17 percent in 2015. Due to presidential election variables and stock market troubles, it’s unknown what the future holds for the 2016 housing market or if the upward trend will continue. Collectively, cities in central Iowa awarded more than 5,000 permits for new houses in 2015, which is an increase of 17 percent from 2014. Permits on multi-family dwellings and townhouses increased along with single-family homes. Sales of homes also surged significantly, increasing by more than 11 percent and besting, for the first time, the pre-recession mark. Interest rates, credit restriction and massive student debt totals are keys to determining 2016’s level of economic success.

Mainstream BoutiqueMainstream Boutique
Mainstream Boutique has moved to the downtown Kaleidoscope at the Hub from its old Capital Square location. The clothing store for women has another location as well, in Valley Junction.

Japanese grill opens in Des Moines
There is a new Japanese grill in Des Moines at 1014 E. 14th St. Teriyaki House is open for business. Eat at the counter or sit down and enjoy using chopsticks. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

West Des Moines grows 12 percent since 2010
A special census done by West Des Moines indicates the city is still one of the fastest growing in Iowa. The city’s population grew 12 percent since the 2010 audit. This growth is on the heels of 79 percent uptick from 1990 to 2010. The suburb’s building permits totaled a valuation of $444.3 million, making this the third consecutive year these valuations topped $440 million.

CNA - Stop HIV Iowa

New Waukee transportation facility
The Waukee City Council plans to trade city land to the Waukee School District so the schools can build a new and more centrally located transportation facility. The planned facility will be near Sixth Street and University Avenue next to the Waukee Public Works Building. The plan is for the construction of two new buildings and a joint fueling station that both the city and the school district can use. There will also be a new storm water retention basin to help with flooding in the area. Currently, the Waukee Community School District’s bus fleet is parked more than four miles outside of Waukee. The new central location and the ability to purchase fuel in bulk with the City will lead to an anticipated $200,000 or more in district savings each year. Construction on the $10 million project is set to begin this spring.

Economic task force
The first meeting of the Des Moines Economic Task Force was recently held at City Hall. The task force was convened by Mayor Frank Cownie and is charged with identifying economic initiatives between the greater Des Moines area and its sister city of Shijiazhuang, China. This follows the recent 30th anniversary of the sister city agreement. CV

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