Ask CITYVIEW

Ask CITYVIEW anything by emailing editor@dmcityview.com.

Where can I go fishing in Des Moines?

Polk County has a list of public fishing locations on its website, as well as a few tips and reminders on how to best practice the hobby. Before you go fishing, if it is a private pond, you need permission from the owner. Those who are 16 and older need a fishing license. If you plan on keeping the fish you catch, make sure to follow the Iowa DNR’s regulations, which can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fishing-Licenses-Laws.

Public fishing spots highlighted by Polk County include Easter Lake, Fort Des Moines Park, Jester Park, Thomas Mitchell Park and Yellow Banks Park. You can also fish in the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. 

How many air traffic controllers does the Des Moines International Airport have?

The number of air traffic controllers by airport can be found on the Federal Aviation’s website in the Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan, which is reported every year. Air traffic controllers are listed as CPCs, certified professional controllers, or CPC-IT, which means they are in training.

The 2024 staffing standard target for the Des Moines International Airport was 19. The airport has 19 CPCs and six listed as developmental, meaning the airport’s total staffing was 22. The Crisis Response Working Group (CRWG) 2024 target for the airport is 28. 

If the Wallace Building within the Iowa Capitol Complex is torn down, is there a plan for the real estate?

The Wallace Building has developed an air of uncertainty around it. In 2023, the state bought a Park Avenue office building for $21.3 million with plans to move all 540 employees from the historic downtown building to there.

The building has been in rough shape for decades with a report from Radio Iowa claiming leaky windows, a damaged roof and a closed parking garage due to falling chunks of concrete. Gov. Kim Reynolds recommended the building be torn down. As of now, no decisions have been made. The building is located in downtown’s East Village, which continues to see growth in food, retail and housing.