Ask CITYVIEW

Who pays for the holiday decorations in downtown Des Moines?

CITYVIEW contacted Rena Mauk, vice president of Downtown Development at the Greater Des Moines Partnership, to get this answer. Here is her response:

“The festive atmosphere is created by various businesses, organizations, property managers and groups who decide to invest in their community by putting up decorations and lights. This collaborative effort reflects the shared pride and community spirit that define Des Moines. Everyone is welcome to join in by decorating their spaces and helping to make downtown a bright and welcoming destination for all to enjoy throughout the holidays.”

How many drivers are issued speeding citations in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 235? Where does the money from those citations go?

According to Public Information Officer Paul Parizek, “The camera on I-235 averages a little over 73,000 citations issued annually. The camera can detect multiple vehicles driving in excess of the 11 mph-plus threshold (71 mph). The license plate of each vehicle needs to be visible.”

The average cost of a speeding ticket in Iowa is anywhere between $100-300 according to drivesmartiowa.com. If the average speeding ticket is $200, and I-235 averages around 73,000 citations, it’s possible that speeding tickets from that stretch of road alone has the potential of producing roughly $14.6 million. Take the lower end with the average speeding ticket at $100, and that’s still $7.3 million.

Where does that money go? Specifically from automatic cameras, according to House File 2681, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in May 2024, that money went toward the Des Moines Public Safety Radio System and Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System. 

What does the population projection for Des Moines metro area look like?

As far as metro areas go, Des Moines is one of the fastest growing around the country. In 2016, using data from the U.S. Census, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization predicted that the Des Moines metro could hit one million residents by 2050. Is Des Moines still on track to hit that number?

The most recent round of estimates from the census show that the six-county Des Moines metro grew 3.1% from 2020 to 2023 and remained the 81st-largest metro area in the United States. Currently, the Des Moines metro’s population is 740,363. If the metro population grew by 1% each year, it would take roughly 30 years for it to reach one million.

How long do I have after it snows to shovel my sidewalk?

According to the City of Des Moines website, “To help ensure that sidewalks are cleared for pedestrian use, the City of Des Moines municipal code requires property owners and tenants to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 48 hours following the end of a snowfall. Property owners and tenants who do not comply are subject to a $75 administrative penalty for a first offense and larger penalties for repeat violations over a period of three years.”