Principal Riverwalk

[DMRyan]

Des Moines' downtown riverfront is about to undergo an amazing reniassance with the addition of the $27 million first phase of the Principal Riverwalk. Construction of the trail starts in late July!

The first phase will include the following elements:
-A 1.2 mile recreational trail along both sides of the river and connecting to the popular Gray's Lake Park
-A renovated pedestrian bridge utilizing a former railroad bridge(including DSM history exhibits and overlooks)
-A new arched pedestrian bridge linking the new Iowa Events Center with the Botanical Center
-New Civic Gardens and sculptures in a plaza near city hall
-An outdoor ice skating rink and summertime fountain plaza
-A large, landscaped promenade linking Court Avenue to the lower level of the riverwalk trail
-A lushly landscaped Japanese garden near the botantical center

Civic Gardens


Skating Plaza/Fountain




New Pedestrian Bridge


Restored Pedestrian Bridge


Promenade/Trails






Later phases may incorporate a skate park, white water rapids course and increased boat access. Also proposed along the riverfront is the $4 million Chinese Cultural Center.

[Ingersoll1978]

Update from KCCI Channel 8 WATCH VIDEO

Riverwalk Closer To Reality
Surveyors Work On Path For Pedestrians

POSTED: 5:37 pm CDT July 21, 2004
UPDATED: 6:52 pm CDT July 21, 2004

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Principal Riverwalk planned in downtown Des Moines is one step closer to reality this week.

Thursday, a sort of groundbreaking is set for the $26 million project that will connect downtown with Gray's Lake. Workers will break ties on the old railroad trestle south of Court Avenue.

Surveyors were working Wednesday on the 1.2 mile path south of the Raccoon River.

Officials said they will first renovate the area for pedestrians, then they'll focus on restaurants, entertainment and housing.

The Principal Financial Group has put up $10 million to develop the Riverwalk.

Workers are expect to begin the trail from Gray's Lake next week.[/url]

[Ingersoll1978]

This project is probably the most important to further housing downtown. Hundreds of thousands of people have visited Grays Lake each year and this will just add to it. With those numbers, restaurants and shops will open and create an atmosphere downtown hasn't seen in years.

[DMRyan]

IT'S ABOUT TIME! Leave it to the Corps of Engineers, or any government agency to stall a project like this. I've heard the promendade portion of the Riverwalk won't begin until next year though because of some major sewer reconstruction that needs to happen first. I hope the city is agressive in lining up the next set of restaurants and housing possibilities all along this sucker.

If you've got RealPlayer installed, that video is worth watching.

[NOG]

YES! I have been waiting for this for two years. I look forward to the day when I can have a frosty one in a rejuvenated Court Ave. and then stroll up the River Walk to the Events Center for a concert or sporting event. Also imagine what the Arts Festival and other events on the bridges will be like when this thing is completed, WOW!

I am also really excited about this being connected with Grey's Lake. Grey's Lake has been a temendous success and is by far my favorite place in the city to go for a walk. The views of the skyline from the ped bridge over the lake are well worth it.

Here is the story from today's Register:

Ceremony to launch Riverwalk project

By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
July 22, 2004

Big event
WHAT: Groundbreaking ceremony to launch the Principal Riverwalk project.
WHEN: Noon today.
WHERE: At the railroad bridge near the corner of Court Avenue and First Street.

Ground will be broken today for the Principal Riverwalk project, which city leaders say is a critical step toward a more vibrant downtown Des Moines.

The 1.2-mile series of paths, plazas and pedestrian bridges will "do for downtown what Gray's Lake did for that area, and I think that's why everybody is grabbing onto it," Mayor Frank Cownie said. "I think this project does a lot of things for a lot of people."

The riverwalk will run along both sides of the Des Moines River from approximately the Center Street Dam to the railroad bridge south of Court Avenue.

The project was pitched in 2002 by Principal Financial Group to celebrate the company's 125th anniversary this year. The company will donate $10 million and has led efforts to raise the rest. At least $26 million has been earmarked for the project. The amount includes federal, state and local tax money and private contributions.

The project will include a conversion of the former railroad bridge into a pedestrian walkway.

Work on gardens near City Hall and a skating rink will also probably begin this year, said Mary O'Keefe, Principal's chief marketing officer.

The entire project will probably be completed in 2007 or 2008.

[DMRyan]

Well, it's about time that the river(s) is finally becoming the true hub of activity in Des Moines. The Art Festival, Taste of Des Moines, the shows at the ampitheater, the botantical center, Sec Taylor Stadium, the Iowa Events Center and more will all be on one one mile loop along the river. Besides the arena, this could be the most important and long overdue project in all of Des Moines.

I noticed they pushed the completion date back to 2007 and 2008. I think this was due to Army Corps of Engineers needing to do more analysis on everything. If they keep the fundraising drive for the river projects going like it is now, there should be quite a pool of money to begin phase II. Wouldn't it be great to have a marina, a skateboard/extreme sports park and a white water rafting/rapids course all in the same general location?

[Ingersoll1978]

From the Des Moines Register:

Shovels swapped for chain saws at Riverwalk 'groundbreaking'

By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
July 23, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riverwalk projects
BRIDGE: Renovation of the railroad bridge just south of Court Avenue to convert it to a pedestrian bridge. Lead-based paint will be removed beginning in September. The bridge will open next spring.
TRAIL: Work will begin this year on a Gray's Lake Park trail connector and will be completed by late fall or early spring.
CIVIC GARDENS: Construction will begin in 2005 and be completed the same year.
FOUNTAIN: Construction will begin in 2005 on the winter ice rink/ summer fountain and be completed the same year.
RIVERWALK TRAILS: Construction is to begin in 2006 and is expected to take 18 months to complete.
COURT AVENUE PLAZA WEST: Construction will begin in 2006 and be completed the same year.
ARCHED PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE: Construction probably will begin sometime in 2007 and be completed in 2008.

DONORS

Here is a list of Principal Riverwalk private donors:
$1 MILLION AND ABOVE: Jordan Creek Town Center/General Growth Properties
$250,000 TO $499,999: Wells Fargo
$100,000 TO $249,000 : Amerus Group Charitable Foundation; Jim and Patty Cownie; Barry and Michele Griswell; Bill and Susan Knapp; Maddie Levitt; John and Mary Pappajohn; the Weitz family
$1,000 to $99,999 : American Republic insurance company; Capital Striders running club; Des Moines Pioneer Club; the East Des Moines and South Des Moines Chambers of Commerce; Michael and Barbara Gartner; Iowa Cubs; Iowa State Bank; ITA Group; WineFest

State and Des Moines city leaders stood in the rain Thursday to symbolically begin construction of the Principal Riverwalk, which will link many of downtown's most popular attractions and create a "24-hour community," city leaders and residents said.

"It's a historic event," said Des Moines resident and Principal employee Sheila Holzworth. "I think this will do a lot for Des Moines."

About 250 people attended the rainy groundbreaking, about 700 fewer than expected. Many held umbrellas but the wind-blown rain drenched most people anyway. A band played throughout much of the event.

Principal Chief Executive Barry Griswell told the crowd that some cultures connect rain with luck.

"So I think this is good luck that it's raining," Griswell said.

The planned riverwalk is a 1.2-mile walkway on both sides of the Des Moines River downtown, from approximately the Center Street Dam on the north side to the railroad bridge south of Court Avenue. The $26.5 million project includes two pedestrian bridges, as well as an ice skating rink that doubles as a water plaza.

"I think it's symbolic of where we are as a community right now," said Principal spokeswoman Rep. Libby Jacobs, R-West Des Moines. "There are so many great projects in downtown, and this is going to help link all of them together."

When finished, the trail will connect to Gray's Lake Park, run past Sec Taylor Stadium and Court Avenue, and continue near the soon-to-be-completed Science Center of Iowa. It will pass near the Iowa Events Center and along the east side of the river, only blocks from the East Village.

Gov. Tom Vilsack, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and other city leaders eschewed shovels for chain saws Thursday because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had not given permission to dig along the riverbank.

They used the saws to cut railroad ties that were brought to the site from another location. The ties symbolized the first piece of the project: renovation of a railroad bridge just south of Court Avenue.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie said, "We've got residential opportunities and commercial opportunities" along the river that will benefit from the riverwalk, "and I think that's the mixture that's going to change downtown into a 24-hour community."

Principal - one of Des Moines' largest employers with about 9,000 downtown workers - proposed the project in 2002 as a way to celebrate the company's 125th anniversary this year. The company will donate $10 million to the project and has led efforts to raise the rest of the money needed.

Almost all of the money needed for the first phase has been earmarked.

Principal officials have emphasized that the project's size and cost likely will grow as private donors step forward. One added amenity under consideration, for example, is an events plaza on the west side of the river close to the Iowa Events Center.

Work on various components of the project will begin in stages, largely as Principal and city leaders win approval from federal officials who work to prevent flood problems. The entire $26.5 million first phase of the project probably will be completed in 2007 or 2008.

[Ingersoll1978]

HEY!

Just wanted to let you know that the Principal Financial Group is selling Principal Riverwalk Logo Merchandise. The proceeds will go towards the Principal Riverwalk. I thought it's a great way for us to contribute to such a great project for downtown! You can be one of the first with the logo merchandise and people asking, "Where did you get that?" I thought the umbrella was quite nice. Hopefully it will hold the Chicago wind!

[DTO Luv]

That pedestrian bridge looks a bit odd.

[Ingersoll1978]

I like the arch bridge. It's very unique to the US. If I remember correctly, the only other bridge like it is in Europe. It's much better than the overdone mast and cable design. Principal did get public input on which bridge design was more liked...and the arch won. Considering we have a theme going with arches...it would seem appropriate...

[DMRyan]

The design does seem to be a bit unique for these new age pedestrian bridges that are being built by the dozens in European cities and have now made their way to the midwest.

This bridge would defintely take some getting used to since its scale would be unparalled on the downtown riverfront, but this would be the marquee focal point for the entire riverwalk.

[DMRyan]

A small piece of good news from the riverfront. It appears the heiress to General Growth and a local insurance company are chipping in to install public art/sculptures along the riverfront project. I honestly think this is just the beginning of corporate giving for a project that everyone in the entire metro is getting behind. Phase II may be on the table before we know it!

From the City of DSM website:

"Mary O?Keefe, Chief Marketing Officer for Principal Life Insurance Company, has submitted a letter dated September 23, 2004, to the Mayor and Council asking for approval of public art for the Riverwalk project. More specifically, two sculptures valued at $1.5 million are being donated by Melva Bucksbaum. A third sculpture is being donated by American Republic. All sculptures will be located in the Riverwalk in accordance with the adopted Master Plan. The Public Art Commission of the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation has reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed sculptures. Council is being asked to approve the art sculptures for location within the Riverwalk; to authorize the City Manager to approve the precise locations, site plans, and schematic drawings; and to execute all required agreements for installation, maintenance, insurance, and indemnification."

[dmluvr]

that's great...buuuuut, it takes the city manager to decide where the sculptures go???

[DMRyan]

LOL! I think all this is saying is that the City Council is giving the go-ahead to the city manager to make sure all the proper agreements are signed and easements are given. I don't think the City Manager (the real boss of DSM) will be deceiding exactly where the sculptures will go.

[DMRyan]

The early design of the Robert D. Ray memorial Asian Garden was shown today. I don't have renderings, but the models I saw on TV had nice looking pagoda like structures right on the riverfront. The layout of the site begins soon with an official groundbreaking next spring.

I think the proposed $10 million Chinese Cultural Center of America is still in the fundraising process so far.

[NOG]

I also saw this on the news. It will be a nice addition to the Riverwalk. I know there has been a lot of bitchin on here about projects being scaled back (mostly from me) so its nice to see one that is actually being expanded beyond theoriginal plans. Am I correct in beleiving this will be located across the river from the new arena?

[DMRyan]

I believe it's supposed to go on the empty swath of land north of the armory and south of I-235. WHO reported the story @ the 10pm newscast and showed the pagoda surrounded by decorative ponds and waterfalls. Apparently the pagoda is being assembled in China and shipped over, just like your DVD player.

Here's the only rendering I could find...tiny with waterfalls in the front.

[ShermanHill1980]

Here is a more extensive article about the Chinese Cultural Center from the register this morning. This is a part of the riverwalk that I had not heard about before. Sounds very exciting!

Ceremony marks launch of downtown Asian project

By JASON CLAYWORTH
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
September 28, 2004



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City leaders on Monday kicked off the first phase of an Asian cultural center project, which will add another public landmark to downtown Des Moines' riverfront gateway.

Within the next year, construction on an Asian garden will be completed on a 1.7-acre site along the east side of the Des Moines River, just south of Interstate Highway 235.

The $800,000 garden project will include a three-story pavilion, waterfalls, bonsai-like evergreens and granite symbolic carvings that represent moral values in Chinese culture.

A second phase will include a $15 million 30,000-square-foot building that will be used as the headquarters for the Chinese Cultural Center of America.

"This is a monument to Iowa and its openness towards diversity," said Paul Shao, president of the center. "We are the first city in the Midwest, if not all of America, that will have a high-profile landmark right downtown."

The garden is named in honor of former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, who in the 1970s welcomed thousands of Vietnamese refugees to the state, a move seen as controversial at the time.

However, since then, Ray's action has been credited for saving the lives of hundreds of people.

About 60 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden on Monday at the Des Moines Club, which is in the Ruan Center and overlooks the location of the future garden.

"To say the least, I'm flattered," Ray said to the crowd. "I can't tell you I deserve all this recognition, but I can tell you I'm grateful."

Much of the decorative carvings for the pavilion will be made in China and reassembled along the banks of the river. The garden will be near a planned pedestrian bridge that crosses the river near Center Street.

The bridge is part of the $26.4 million Principal Riverwalk project. Construction of some portions of the riverwalk started this year.

Money to pay for the garden was raised privately. Former Principal Financial Group chief executive David Hurd, for example, contributed $240,000. Businesses and other private donors paid the rest.

Construction of the second phase of the project is dependent upon successful fund raising.

Organizers of the center last year anticipated that a portion of the project would begin within five years.

Reporter Jason Clayworth can be reached at (515) 699-7058 or
jclayworth@dmreg.com

[DMRyan]

Artwork donated for Principal Riverwalk project

Melva Bucksbaum and Mary Bucksbaum Scanlan of Aspen, Colo., announced their gift of two sculptures to be included as part of the Principal Riverwalk project, currently under construction in downtown Des Moines.
The Bucksbaums purchased "Untitled" by Joe Shapiro and donated it as a gift to the city of Des Moines. The cast bronze sculpture, which stands 20 feet tall and 22 feet wide, suggests the form and gestures of the human body. It will be placed within the planned civic gardens just west of Des Moines City Hall. Shapiro's work is displayed in such museums as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

"Quantum Leaf" was commissioned by the Bucksbaums to be created by Sally Pettus. The sculpture depicts a bronze leaf seemingly floating in a pool of water. It will be placed within the proposed plaza area on the west side of the river.

In addition, American Republic Insurance Co. donated "Column of Change," a sculpture by Michael Pavlovsky, which currently resides in the company's sculpture garden in Des Moines. The three-sided piece depicts human figures as they climb to the top of the work, which was originally commissioned as a civil rights monument to honor the company's efforts in the 1960s and 1970s.

[Ingersoll1978]

One thing I find very cool is how the citizens and corporations in the Des Moines area step up to the plate. The community involvement on these projects is truly amazing.

[DMRyan]

This is one project that keeps getting better with time as virtually everyone in the community is, or will soon be willing to step up to the plate in some form or another. Phase II could be on the way before phase I is complete in 2007.

In other riverfront news, I noticed that the trail connecting Gray's Lake to to the downtown riverfront has been completely paved. Benches, minor landscaping and the lighting for the trail hasn't gone up just yet. I did see several people already using the trail last weekend though.

[DMRyan]

It seems like the Meredith Trail portion connecting to the new riverwalk was just announced, but it's already nearing completion except for the conversion of the pedestrian bridge and installment of the lights.

From the DSM Business Record:

GRAY'S LAKE CONNECTOR TO DOWNTOWN NEARLY DONE

Portions of the unfinished Meredith Trail, the connector between the future Principal Riverwalk and Gray?s Lake Park, have already become popular with the lunchtime running crowd.

City workers have finished paving the basic trail, and are now finishing up work on the Jackson Street Bridge southwest of Principal Park/Sec Taylor Field to connect the two halves of the project, said Art Slusark, a Meredith Corp. spokesman.

?You can run all the way from Gray?s Lake to the Jackson Street Bridge,? Slusark said. ?It's not officially open to run on; but I ?toured? it,? Slusark said with a wink.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Don Tripp said the railing for the bridge, which is due to arrive by the third week of November, is the last element to be installed before the bridge can be opened. Tripp said he expects the city will meet its Dec. 1 contract deadline for completing the bridge and officially opening the trail to the public.

In August, the Meredith Corporation Foundation announced it would donate $2 million to the project, which will upgrade the trail with lighting, security telephones and other amenities such as landscaped scenic turnouts and improvements to the Jackson and First Street bridges over the Raccoon River.

The funds will also pay for an additional half-mile trail that will connect the two bridges, creating a one-mile loop with views of downtown, as well as a half-mile connection along the east side of Fleur Drive that will link Gray?s Lake Park with Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to make it more accessible to Gateway West and the Sherman Hill district.

The trail will connect to the Principal Riverwalk, a planned 1.2-mile loop on both sides of the Des Moines River to be linked by two pedestrian bridges.

The Principal Financial Group Foundation Inc. has donated $10 million toward that project and has pledged to raise an additional $5 million in private funds. Additionally, contributions from Polk County, the city of Des Moines and the federal government account for nearly $4 million, on top of a $4 million Vision Iowa grant, said Libby Jacobs, director of community relations for Principal Financial Group Inc.

?We said originally it would be in the range of $26 to $28 million, so we are very close to closing that gap,? she said. ?We?ve had people come forward who wanted to donate some things that weren?t part of the original project.?

Work on the Riverwalk?s planned fountain and ice skating rink will begin next year, which Jacobs said they hope to have completed by late 2005. ?We also hope to start work on the civic gardens next year as well,? she said.

?We?re pleased that we?re actually on the schedule that we had envisioned, and that one of the first pieces that will be opened will be the Meredith Trail as the connection between the project and Gray?s Lake.?

[dmluvr]

I would really love to see construction on the signature ped. bridge next year. Anyone have any thoughts as to when that can/will occur? I've heard 2007 which I really hope isn't the case.
This project truely keep getting better with time. Hopefully as this nears completion we'll start seeing announcements of condos and mid rises pop up along the river!!!

[DMRyan]

I haven't heard anything that will indicate the signature ped bridge will be started next year. The civic gardens, ice skating rink/fountain plaza, and the prominade along the top of of the riverfront trail system are the big portions of the project next year.

For all I know, the Army Corps of Engineers may not have given 100 percent final clearance to start on the pedestrian bridge and trail construction right along the riverfront.

My concern with the signature pedestrian bridge is the escalating cost of construction and materials. Who knows how much more this thing will cost in 2007. Omaha is having a hell of a time getting their new ped bridge to come in at cost, I don't see any difference here either. I think that the $28 million dollar total for the the first phase of the riverfront will be much too low if this ped bridge will be included.

[ShermanHill1980]

I've been hearing the same thing dmluvr, 2007. I believe everyone is waiting for the Army Corp to finish up whatever it is that they need to finish up. I recall hearing that it could take awhile for this to occur?

[NOG]

If this is what they have decided on, I hope they paint the arch blue. I want it to look like the ped bridges over I-235 and the MLK Bridge. I think it will give our city a nice transportation theme and give visitors and tourists somthing to remember and associate with our city.

[dmluvr]

Oh, no, not blue!! The blue theme is great, don't get me wrong, but what I like about the about the current color/plan is that it adds constract. Blue and silver is a good look, and w/ the contrasting color is that it will stand out more, and as your coming down 235 heading west, and see the 235 blue arch ped. bridge, then you'll be able to see niceley the silver/grey arch bridge. I'm sure it'll stand out too if it was blue, but too much would be a bit monogous, let's break it up a little!!


I hope they start on this in 07 at the absolute bare latest. I'm sure this isn't included in the 28 million, but loosing this signature would be a huge tragedy to the project. I would be surprised if it didn't happen.

[DMRyan]

Here's an opportunity to view some never seen before plans if any of you have the time. I'm anxious to see what all will be rolled out:

The Des Moines Botanical Center will celebrate its 25th anniversary Wednesday by offering free admission all day. Visitors on Wednesday will also be able to view details of a recent proposal that would close Robert D. Ray Drive at East Sixth Street to a point just south of Interstate 235, create a new entry driveway for the Botanical Center and develop several new garden areas in conjunction with the Principal Riverwalk and Asian Gardens.

[dmluvr]

well heck yeah! Beingst that i'm going to be down there for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the soon to be completed hy vee hall I'll check it out and take pictures!!!

[DMRyan]

After talking with dmluvr over the weekend, who happened to stop into the botanical center's open house event on their role in the riverwalk development, it was learned that the botancial center will likely be seeking funding for a large expansion project that will enlarge and improve the facility, including replacement of the glass dome. This of course ties in with the Asian gardens and heavy use of landscaping on this portion of the riverwalk. (renderings of all this are apparently available at the Botanical Center, but we don't have permission to share them here yet)

Also, it was mentioned in the DSM Business Record that the downtown YMCA could be planning an expansion (and hopefully an exterior remodel) to conincide with the riverfront as well. Construction has barely started on the riverfront and we're already seeing movement on spin-off benefits.