West Des Moines, IA

 

Project History:

For nearly 130 years, Historic West Des Moines has been a beacon of eclectic resilience. Time and time again this area of our community has evolved and adapted with the times. Distinctively, with each transformation, the unique fabric, feel and ambiance of these special collection of neighborhoods has remained intact. The resiliency of Historic West Des Moines has been vital to the identity of the City of West Des Moines.

The most recent adaptation of Historic West Des Moines was the creation of the Historic West Des Moines Master Plan, adopted on September 19, 2016. This plan created action steps and tasks to guide the next evolution of Valley Junction.  The current Historic West Des Moines Master Plan can be viewed here.

Over the past 5 years, the city has worked to complete the action steps and tasks spelled out in the 2016 plan. With its success, redevelopment and reinvestment has occurred and the need to examines and reassess our community’s goals became necessary. The Worksheet that provides information on action steps and tasks can be viewed here.

The City is also tracking the funding that is going into the Master Plan area.  The summary totals all investments, including City of West Des Moines, grants, and private investments into the Master Plan area from 2016 to 2021.  The funding summary can be viewed here.

On June 1, 2021, a public meeting was held with the community to review the current master plan. Those in attendance discussed the items that were completed from the master plan and the tasks that are still pending. Community members discussed what went well and what did not go well with the implementation of the master plan and listed topics that would need to be addressed if the master plan was updated.

 

How to Stay Informed:

• We are looking forward to engaging with all of you and hearing your thoughts. We understand that you live busy lives and may not be able to attend meetings. We are in the process of creating a project specific smart phone application as well as an additional project specific web site for you to provide your input. Information on how to access them will be provided soon.

• Sign up on the project website to receive emails and updates.  

 

• Future steering committee meetings will be listed on the City Calendar on our City website (https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/i-want-to/view/city-calendar). Feel free to join us.

 

• If you have comments or questions, please feel free to contact us at (515) 273-0770 or at ced@wdm.iowa.gov

 

DESIGN GUIDELINES

The City Council, on February 21 2022, approved pages 1-40 of the Design Guidelines for the Mixed Use Commercial Area.  The approved Design Guidelines can be viewed here.

 

What has happened since June 1^st 2021:

• Creation of the Historic West Des Moines Master Plan Steering Committee – 2021 Update:

Under the direction of the City Council the number of members of the Implementation Committee that was established under the current master plan was increased to 19 and became the Historic West Des Moines Master Plan Steering Committee – 2021 Update (HWDMSC). The committee consist of volunteer citizens from established, 501c3 non-profit organizations that represent the residential and business communities. Membership appointments were made by each organization. The Committee is assisted in its efforts by two City Council members who are ex-officio, non-voting members.  There are also several residents who were not part of any residential association appointed by the Mayor.  A member of the Plan and Zoning Commission and the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce were also appointed by the Mayor.

 

Historic West Des Moines Master Plan Steering Committee Members:

1. Kevin Trevillyan, City Councilmember (ex-officio, non-voting member) 
2. Renee Hardman, City Councilmember (ex-officio, non-voting member) 
3. Scott Hatfield, WDM Planning & Zoning Commission Member
4. VACANT, Resident, Mayor Appointed
5. Mitchell Callahan, Resident, Mayor Appointed
6. Ralph Haskins, Resident - Historic WDM Valley Junction Neighborhood Association
7. Nate Hon, Resident - Historic WDM Valley Junction Neighborhood Association
8. Renae Johanningmeier, Resident - Historic WDM Valley Junction Neighborhood Association
9. Vicky Long Hill, Resident - Valley Junction Resident Association
10. Cleo Underwood, Resident - Valley Junction Resident Association
11. Vincent Valdez, Resident - Valley Junction Resident Association
12. Steve Frevert, Business Representative
13. Debbie Westphal Swander, Business Representative
14. Julie Eliason, Business Representative
15. Meredith Wells, Business – Historic Valley Junction Foundation
16. Mark Veiock, Business – Historic Valley Junction Foundation
17. Steph Trannel, Business – Historic Valley Junction Foundation
18. Scott Cutler, Business – Historic Valley Junction Foundation
19. Katherine Harrington, Business - WDM Chamber of Commerce

 

City Staff

Clyde Evans

J. Bradley Munford

Christine Gordon 

 

Work done by the Steering Committee to date (newest activity on top):

 

July 20, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting 

During the July 20th, Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed the design guidelines for the Commercial District.

 July 20, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page. 

 

June 29, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting 

During the June 29th, Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed the design guidelines for the Mixed Use Industrial Area.

 June 29, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda   June 29, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page. 

 

June 1, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting 

During the June 1st, Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed the design guidelines for the Transitional Area.

 June 1, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  June 1, 2022 Steering Committee minutes

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page. 

 

April 20, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the April 20th, Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed the design guidelines for the Transitional Area.

April 20, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  April 20. 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page. 

 

March 30, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the March 9th, Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed and approved the design guidelines for Railroad Avenue.

March 30, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  March 30, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.  

 

March 9, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the March 9th, Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed the design guidelines for Railroad Avenue.

March 9, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  March 9, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page. 

 

February 21, 2022 City Council Meeting 

During the February 21, 2022 City Council meeting, pages 1-40 of the Design Guidelines were approved.  

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.

 

February 16, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the February 16th Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed the design guidelines for Railroad Avenue and the demolition moratorium.

February 16, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  February 16, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page. 

 

February 2, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the February 2nd Steering Committee Meeting, the committee approved unanimously the first 40 pages the Design Guidelines.  The guidelines can be reviewed here.

February 2, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  February 2, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

The Steering Committee for the Historic West Des Moines Master Plan Update unanimously recommended pages 1-40 of the Draft Design Guidelines, which focus on the Mixed Use Commercial District. Next step is to present the guidelines to the Planning and Zoning Commission on February 14th, 2022 at 5:30 at City Hall (4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines), then City Council on February 21st, 2022 at 5:30 at City Hall (4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines).

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.

 

January 26, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the January 26th Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed possible design guidelines and zoning changes.

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.

January 26, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  January 26, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

 

January 6, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the January 6th Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed possible design guidelines and zoning changes.

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.

January 6, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda  January 6, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

 

January 5, 2022 Steering Committee Meeting

During the January 5th Steering Committee Meeting, the committee reviewed the proposed building modifications and site improvements at 401 Railroad Place and reviewed the results of the virtual design workshop and visual Preference Survey.

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.

January 5th, 2022 Steering Committee Agenda     January 5, 2022 Steering Committee Minutes

 

December 8th, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting

During the December 8th Steering Committee Meeting, the committee discussed existing conditions, other Midwest best practice examples, and a preview of the design workshop.  

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend.  The video can be found here or on the City of Des Moines YouTube Page.

 December 8, 2021 Steering Committee Agenda   December 8, 2021 Steering Committee Minutes

 

November 17, 2021 Neighborhood Meeting

A neighborhood meeting was held at Stillwell Junior High on November 17, 2021.  Small Nations and Teska presented at the meeting.  

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend. The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.  

November 17, 2021 Neighborhood Meeting Agenda

 

 September 29, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting

During the meeting on September 15th, the committee reviewed and discussed a proposed development at 111-5th Street.  The committee voted to recommend that the City Council

The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend. The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.  

September 29, 2021 Steering Committee Agenda  September 29, 2021 Steering Committee Minutes 

 

September 15, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting

Prior to this meeting a question was raised at a Finance and Administration City Council Subcommittee (F&A) meeting about the issue of being able to proceed with building modifications in light of the moratorium on new construction and renovations within the Historic West Des Moines Master Plan area.  The direction from the F&A Subcommittee was to refer any development request to the Steering Committee for sign-off on the proposed changes.  If the Steering Committee signed-off on the changes, then the project would go to the Planning and Development City Council Subcommittee for a recommendation to the full City Council for action. 

During the meeting on September 15th, the committee reviewed and discussed bathroom improvement that the Park and Rec Department wants to make within Railroad Park. The committee voted to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed bathroom improvements with the condition that art that represent the area is incorporated into the exterior design of building at a later date.

The master plan lead consultant, Mike Hoffman with Teska Associates Inc., was in attendance and introduced himself and some of his team to the committee, elaborated on the scope and timelines in their response to the Request for Proposal, discussed community engagement, answered questions and conducted a mind mapping exercise to solicit additional input. The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend. The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.  

September 15, 2021 Steering Committee Agenda  September 15, 2021 Steering Committee Minutes

Railroad Park Bathroom Improvement Plans

Teska Mind Map  Teska Handout at 9-15-2021 meeting

 

August 30, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting

During this meeting, the Committee reviewed and discussed the response to the Request for Proposal to update the master plan from Teska Associates. The committee voted to recommend that the City Council select Teska as the consultant to update the Historic West Des Moines Master Plan. The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend. The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.  

August 30, 2021 Steering Committee Agenda    August 30, 2021 Steering Committee Minutes

Teska’s Response to The Request for Proposal, Historic West Des Moines Master Plan 

 

August 11, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting

During this meeting, the Committee discussed the scope of work (list of things to be addressed) for the Request for Proposal to contract a consultant to update the master plan. The Committee’s recommendation was forwarded to the City Council for consideration. The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend. The video can be found be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.  

August 11, 2021 Steering Committee Agenda  August 11, 2021 Steering Committee Minutes

Request for Proposal, Historic West Des Moines Master Plan

 

July 14, 2021 Steering Committee Meeting

The Historic West Des Moines Master Plan Steering Committee (2021 Update), held its first meeting. The committee discussed their purpose, reviewed, and approved their by-laws, elected officers, and explored scope of work for updating the Master Plan. The meeting was recorded for those who could not attend. The video can be found here or on the City of West Des Moines YouTube page.  

July 14, 2021 Steering Committee Agenda    July 14, 2021 Steering Committee Minutes

Steering Committee Opening Statement and By-Laws

June 1, 2021 Public Meeting

The City held an informational meeting to discuss a potential update of the Historic West Des Moines Master Plan. Staff video recorded the meeting with the intent of sharing it online for those who could not attend. Unfortunately, the video recorded without any audio and we will not be sharing it online. If you would still like to see the recording, please contact Brad Munford at Brad.Munford@wdm.Iowa.gov and he will make it available to you. We apologize for the inconvenience.   The summary of the meeting is available here.

 

What is Happening Next:

Steering Committee’s Role During Moratorium: During the moratorium on development in the Historic West Des Moines area, the Steering Committee will continue its role as a group that make recommendations to City Council on new construction and renovations.

Creation of the Updated Historic West Des Moines Master Plan:  Over the next 16-18 months, The Steering Committee, City Staff, and the master plan consultant, Teska, will be taking on the task of updating The Historic West Des Moines Master Plan. The committee members have agreed to be the important link between The Community, City Staff and Teska. We are all striving to build interest, excitement, awareness, and community consensus around a comprehensive strategy for Historic West Des Moines. We plan on doing this by representing the diverse interests of current businesses, residents, and investors.