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Posted October 04, 2023in Civic Skinny

$2 million residential sales. Nonprofit executive compensation. Underage drinking. Tattoo regrets.

Despite rising interest rates and home prices, a number of major residential purchases have occurred since the start of 2023 in central Iowa. CITYVIEW gathered details on seven homes that have sold for more than $1.5 million, four of which went for more than $2 million.  In Granger, a home

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Posted September 06, 2023in Civic Skinny

Iowa ranks 4th in gambling. ISU (finally) sends coaching contracts. State Fair has 2nd largest attendance ever.

Winter and construction may be known as Iowa’s two seasons, but it might be time to add a third: gambling. New research from casinos.com details gambling expenditures across several states and shows Iowans — and not just university athletes — have an affinity for placing bets that rivals those from

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Posted August 02, 2023in Civic Skinny

Coaching contracts, road safety plans and broadband funding

With the college football season approaching, we take a look at coaching contract details behind some of the state’s highest-paid employees. For comparison, CITYVIEW also requested contract details of some of the lesser-known coaches at the state universities. The University of Iowa In the aftermath of a less than stellar

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Posted July 05, 2023in Civic Skinny

The future of Court Avenue. Historic buildings recognized. Hy-Vee grows in Nebraska but ponders future of downtown store.

What is the future of the Court Avenue District? On May 8, The Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) presented a study completed on behalf of the Polk County Board of Supervisors detailing the social, economic and growth opportunities of the Court Avenue District. RHI offered suggestions for improvement and provided an

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Posted May 31, 2023in Civic Skinny

Chambers merging, Partnership leadership history, early campaign contributions and unpaid fines

The Windsor Heights Chamber of Commerce, which formed in 2004 and currently has 58 members listed on its website, merged operations with the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, which formed in 1962 and has approximately 750 members. This merger, which took effect June 1, “will now represent more than 800 businesses

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Posted May 03, 2023in Civic Skinny

Spendy condos, a history of Iowa’s closed colleges, and investments in Highland Park

After a long delay, sales prices have been recorded for the high-end Grand Avenue condominiums developed by Harry Bookey and Pamela Bass-Bookey. The Kathleen J. Fehrman Revocable Trust paid $2,838,799 for a unit that takes up half of the top floor in the eight-story building at 3750 Grand Ave. (Or,

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Posted April 05, 2023in Civic Skinny

Who’s running for mayor? Mari Culver’s new job. Prairie Meadows update. Potholes — and more sabbaticals.

The race for Des Moines’ highest office is stacking up. Connie Boesen, an at-large councilmember for the city, announced her run for mayor last month. Boesen has served on the Des Moines City Council since 2018. She previously served on the Des Moines School Board and owns two concession vendors

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Posted March 01, 2023in Civic Skinny

Kaleidoscope, Val Air, Gas Lamp. ION program. $20k Super Bowl spot. DMAC director. MWA audit.

The abandoned east Kaleidoscope building at 515 Walnut St., now permanently closed, could soon be demolished to make way for a new addition to the downtown Des Moines skyline. Local developer Joe Teeling of Saint Joseph Group announced resurrected plans for 515 Walnut Tower, a mixed income multi-family project on

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Posted January 04, 2023in Civic Skinny

Hardenbrook owner speaks on State Fair audits. State reports on education, veterans home and more. Top baby names.

Last month, news broke that four popular vendors would not be returning to Iowa’s largest annual event after state audits suggested fraud. The Iowa State Fair ousted Hardenbrook Concessions; Pete’s Lemonade Shake Ups and Pete’s Ice Cream & Snow Cones; Dad’s Old-Fashioned Lemonade; and JR Services. When reached for comment

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Posted November 30, 2022in Civic Skinny

Bauder’s for sale. Final election finances. Central Iowa’s highest nonprofit salaries.

A “for sale” sign has been spotted at Bauder’s, Des Moines’ iconic ice cream shop and former pharmacy. Owner Kim Robertson said she is simply looking for a transition.  “I’ve been here 51 years of my life, so I think it’s time that I just pursue options,” she said. “It’s

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