Court Avenue Development Efforts

by **kgb1972** on Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:58 pm

Thanks Ingersoll! That's great information. And thanks for the welcome message. The time that I spent in Des Moines this summer was really a great experience for me, and the simple courtesies of Iowans was a major reason why. I felt at home from the moment I arrived.

by **kgb1972** on Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:26 pm

I just checked out Hallett Flats, and am curious what the median age is of the tenants. They look great from the outside, but I'm a bit skeptical about the quilt rack/stand/whatever they are called pictured in the 1 Bedroom photo.

http://www.metropropsdsm.com/hallett_apartments.htm

by **Better Life dude** on Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:12 pm

I just checked out Hallett Flats, and am curious what the median age is of the tenants. They look great from the outside, but I'm a bit skeptical about the quilt rack/stand/whatever they are called pictured in the 1 Bedroom photo.

Best thing about this place is you're at the epicenter for an evolving, cool city park space. And you have a coffee shop downstairs.

by **Ingersoll1978** on Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:41 pm

I believe they have a younger demographic.

I had a friend who lived in the Hallett. It was a very nice place. It has a more "vintage" feel than the newer condos. The only bad thing is that it is along the "loop" (which is where the teens go around and around cruising)...but that isn't nearly as bad as it used to be when he lived there.

by **josh** on Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:00 pm

You can head over to my site if you want more "inside" information. Court Ave Lofts and Hubbell Tower are full. Gateway Lofts are renting, but are probably outside of what you want to spend.

Park Place is somewhere you can look at, they are renting and giving incentives believe it or not. It's a nice place, and it's pretty cheap.

by **4th&Court** on Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:48 pm

How important is noise? Vine Street Lofts would be a decent option in that price range, but the noise can be a little much. I have lived just off of Court Avenue for about a year and a half. It's much quieter up on 4th St.

by **BHAZE311** on Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:59 pm

KGB. Welcome and I hope you are enjoying DSM so far. I live in the Court Ave Lofts and am very happy with where I live. My unit faces Court Ave. and one would probably say that it is the 'loudest' place to live downtown. I get up and go to work everyday and the noise really isn't an issue (other than Tequila Tom's penny pitcher Mondays). Just some insider info for ya, I had a buddy come in and talk to the Court Ave. Lofts office manager and she said that there were about 40 people on the wait list. Anyway, good luck apt. hunting and again, welcome.

by **dogbo** on Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:10 pm

Don't forget about Sherman Hill. There are some really cool apartment buildings there (as well as some dumps). Maybe someone here can provide some guidance as to which ones are worth looking into.

by **kgb1972** on Fri Oct 12, 2007 9:44 pm

Thank you all for the great inside information. I have been in contact with Hubbell and Court Ave and they both have some available units. Maybe the wait list at Court is for units that are not a part of the income restriction. I am actually filling out an application for Unit 1 (NW corner) at Court Ave. But it is part of the Tax Credit program. It depends on what they use to determine my income whether or not I'll qualify. If they use the 2006 tax return, I'm in. If they use anything else, I'm out. I've heard they base it on the coming year's income. Does anyone know if that is true or not?

And thanks for another welcome. Although I am already there in heart, I'm actually not in DSM yet. I'm still in Detroit for another two weeks.

by **kgb1972** on Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:31 pm

Hey Josh -

Your article on Trina Braafhart (had to click back to the article three times to make sure I spelled that one right) has convinced me to consider Gateway once again. BTW, how do you pronounce that? Similar to Braveheart?

Anyway, I'm serious about your review opening up the possibility to the Gateway. I know this is the wrong topic to discuss that area of town, but I'm here now and can move the conversation there if necessary (but remember time is of the essence). Gateway really caught my attention right off the bat, but the negative stuff I was reading about Conlin was scaring me off. Anyone care to share their input? Gateway is a touch more than I want to spend, but I would make it work if it were truly worth the money.

by **ladymarshall** on Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:30 am

KGB, the Hubbell Tower and Court Avenue lofts are restricted by the Iowa Finance Authorities income and maximum rent restricts for Section 42 Housing. the 2007 income limit for a single person is around $28,000. You can check out their website if you have more questions.

http://www.ifahome.com/en/for_developer ... dienceID=1

I took a tour of both projects this week and they are pretty comparable as far as interior finishes are concerned. Court Avenue has the advantage of the balcony on some of the units, but Hubbell has the skywalk access.

by **kgb1972** on Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:58 am

The figure that I was given was $28,560 and that came from the manager of Hubbell. She also said that the ceiling is based on what you will earn in the next year. The manager from Court Ave. did not state any such stipulation. Has anyone gone through this process that can tell me for certain how they determine income eligibility?

I've already started looking for places that are not income restricted. As much as I like the location of Court Ave, I'm probably going to miss out because of the income ceiling. Vine Street here I come.

by **kgb1972** on Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:59 am

If I remember correctly, isn't there a huge apartment/condo/loft building at 3rd and Walnut?

by **DMRyan** on Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:00 am

See if the Kirkwood on 4th Street has any apartment openings as well.

I think it will be longer than 2 weeks out, but there are more apartments that will be opening up soon right on the corner of 4th & Court, right above the instantly popular Dos Rios restaurant.

While also income restricted, check into East Village Square over on the east side of the river.

by **kgb1972** on Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:14 am

Thanks Ryan - I have inquired about when MarketPlace will be moving people in, but haven't gotten a reply yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they have already got the place filled.

What is that tall building at 3rd and Walnut?

by **Ingersoll1978** on Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:30 am

I'm assuming your talking about The Plaza. It's a condominium building (although sometimes you can find someone renting their unit).

by **kgb1972** on Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:37 am

That's the one.

by **4th&Court** on Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:13 pm

The Kirkwood is full to my knowledge. However, I think the first people to move in came in December and most came in the few months after that. It's likely that a good number of one-year leases are ending soon. That's not a short-term solution, but something to consider.

by **kgb1972** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:48 am

I've got an application in with vine street lofts. We'll see how that goes.

I hope this goes through.

by **4th&Court** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:10 am

Not a bad choice at all.

by **kgb1972** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:35 am

Does anyone have some pictures of the inside of the Vine Street Lofts? I'm taking a huge leap of faith here by taking the place "sight unseen." Everyone I've talked to has had nothing but great things to say about it though.

by **4th&Court** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:46 am

I can get you quite a few. Let me find them.

by **kgb1972** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:38 am

Vine Street just closed on me. Back to square one.

by **Ingersoll1978** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:18 pm

kgb1972 wrote:Vine Street just closed on me. Back to square one.

What did they say?

Did you try the Arlington-Hallett? I believe their rents are affordable.

by **Ingersoll1978** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:51 pm

Nevermind, the Arlington-Hallett is full (I called).

by **dogbo** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:05 pm

Since no one was offering any help on apartment options in Sherman Hill, so I did a little research. Here is a great option - The Lexington:

A friend of my nieces lives here and absolutely loves it. I would check it out kgb1972.

by **kgb1972** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:06 pm

Ingersoll1978 wrote:
kgb1972 wrote:Vine Street just closed on me. Back to square one.

What did they say?

Did you try the Arlington-Hallett? I believe their rents are affordable.

The apartment they sent me an application for yesterday was one where the tenant was being evicted. He showed up at the office today with the cash he needed to keep his place. As much as I was looking forward to getting this place, I'd much rather see someone keep their place. I'll find something else I'm sure.

Thanks for calling the Arlington-Hallett. This forum has been a big help. Thank you. I look forward to contributing in the near and distant future.

by **kgb1972** on Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:08 pm

Dogbo-
Thanks for the lead on the Lexington. I don't recall coming across that one. Then again, I've seen/heard of many. I'll check it out.

by **Mototail** on Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:42 am

http://www.eastvillagedesmoines.com/Liv ... fault.aspx
check out this place i believe they have one or two for rent.....
Capitol Village Lofts

by **xcyclone** on Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:49 pm

I'd give Tina Johnson a call. She's a realtor, but she knows the downtown area extremely well and I know she'd help you out.
Here's her number:314-5701.

She'll hook you up with a great place to rent.

Court Avenue Development Efforts

Capitol Village Lofts

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