5th & Cherry Redevelopment: Council & County Agreement
- The des Moines City Council is set to consider a 28E agreement with Polk County, clarifying each entity's role in the proposed redevelopment of a county-owned parking lot...
- last fall, Polk County announced its intention to seek proposals for redeveloping the nearly 2-acre site.
- The request for proposals (RFP) specifies that the desired development should be mixed-use, incorporating commercial elements that bring something new to the neighborhood.
The Des Moines City Council is poised to determine its role in the 5th & Cherry redevelopment project. This critical decision, centered on a 28E agreement with Polk County, outlines the responsibilities of each government body for the downtown parking lot’s transformation.News Directory 3 provides a look at how the city will work with the county on this vital project! The deal specifies mixed-use growth, honoring the area’s heritage, and sets the stage for the city to negotiate with developers and manage permits. A mixed-use development is desired. Discover what’s next as the Council shapes the future of this strategic location.
Des Moines Council to Decide Role in Downtown Redevelopment
The des Moines City Council is set to consider a 28E agreement with Polk County, clarifying each entity’s role in the proposed redevelopment of a county-owned parking lot at Fifth and Cherry streets. The council will discuss the role of each entity at its Monday meeting.
last fall, Polk County announced its intention to seek proposals for redeveloping the nearly 2-acre site. The goal is to create a multiuse link between the Court Avenue District and other properties slated for development to the south and west. County officials view the downtown surface parking lot as prime real estate, especially given its proximity to Court Avenue.
The request for proposals (RFP) specifies that the desired development should be mixed-use, incorporating commercial elements that bring something new to the neighborhood. It should also cater to a mix of residential and office users throughout the day, evening, and weekend hours.
The county prefers development concepts that acknowledge the history of the site, potentially paying homage to Des Moines’ Union Station and the area’s rail and industrial heritage. The site is zoned DX2, mandating a minimum height of three stories and a maximum height of eight stories, with nonresidential use required on the ground floor.
According to a city staff report, Polk county requested the city’s assistance in preparing the RFP, evaluating proposals, selecting a developer, and negotiating an agreement. The 28E agreement formalizes the role each government will play in this process.
The county’s responsibilities, as outlined in the staff report, include maintaining ownership of the property, keeping it in good repair, ensuring a marketable title, providing facts about the property to the city and interested developers, transferring the property to the selected developer, and designating a representative to work with the city on proposal review and developer selection.
The city’s responsibilities encompass consulting with the county’s representative on marketing and selection, receiving and evaluating proposals, communicating with developers, negotiating economic development assistance, and coordinating with the selected developer to obtain necessary permits and approvals.
Carrie Kruse, economic development administrator for the city, emphasized the necessity of the agreement. “Before we start making recommendations on a project or a developer,” kruse said, “we’ve outlined the county’s responsibilities to eventually convey that property to a selected developer and that the city’s obligation is to negotiate a development agreement for the site.”
While the county accepted proposals through March,Sarah Boese,deputy county administrator,noted in mid-April that four proposals had been received but not yet thoroughly reviewed. A city spokesperson stated that there were no updates on the proposals, indicating the process is still in its early stages.
What’s next
The City Council’s decision on the 28E agreement will determine the next steps in the redevelopment process, paving the way