Principal Riverwalk

[Cyclonefan]

Maybe they will condider lights and other additions because its under budget!

[DMRyan]

Of course they're going to light the sucker. Now if they could only light the remainder of the regular bridges through downtown...

These are courtesy of the RDG design. Sorry for the grainy renderings, they don't have jpegs on their website.

[dsmLA]

I am so impressed that this project came in under budget.

[the1wags]

Hey that skating rink looks really nice. Does anyone know what the cost of that alone was? A skating rink is one of the elements of the planned overhaul of the Gene Leahy Mall here in Omaha. I'd really like to see it happen, even though I can't skate for crap.

[Ingersoll1978]

Hey that skating rink looks really nice. Does anyone know what the cost of that alone was? A skating rink is one of the elements of the planned overhaul of the Gene Leahy Mall here in Omaha. I'd really like to see it happen, even though I can't skate for crap.

$4.5 Million

[dogbo]

Last day for ice skating was last night. This announcement give an idea of warmer weather events that are planned...

Brenton Skating Plaza just announced it will close for the season this evening, Tuesday, March 20. Warmer weather and a forecast for rain this week are bringing an end to a hugely successful first season, which attracted more than 32,000 skaters.

There will be a final public skate tonight from 7:30 – 9 p.m. Adult admission is $3, children ages five - 12 cost $2, and children under five are free. Skate rental is $2.50.

Plans under way for warm-weather events

Just because the ice is melting doesn't’t mean an end to the fun. Brenton Skating Plaza will host a variety of events throughout spring, summer and fall, including:

· Lunchtime concert series

· Saturday night dancing under the stars

· Sunday ice cream socials

· Movie nights

· Children’s events


Brenton Skating Plaza may also be rented for corporate events, weddings, family reunions and other events. If interested, call Brenton Skating Plaza at 284-1000. Additional information is also available at http://www.brentonplaza.com.


Opening day for the 2007-08 Brenton Plaza Skating season is scheduled for Nov. 16, 2007.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

Holy cow, 32,000 skaters to the new ice rink, very impressive!

[Des Moineser]

It always seemed busy, but I didn't realize it was that busy. 10,000 skaters a month is pretty good, I'd say.

[Cyclonefan]

HOpe it keeps the crowd coming this sumer when its a pool and next winter!

[DMRyan]

I'm curious if they'll make any changes to the skate plaza for the warmer months? I'm wondering if they'll take the glass barriers down and put up tables and chairs and have more of a plaza area?

I guess we'll soon find out, but great news that they are programing events to use the skate park during summer months too.

[dmluvr]

yeeeeeah---but that fountain set up was pretty damn nice. A bummer no less---

nice to see them at least keeping it "active' for the summer--

[Cyclonefan]

I heard from a spokesperson that the engineers want to rebuild the levi on the (West?) side before they start to buld thing on that side.

[dmluvr]

what are you talking about cyclofan?? the bridge?

[Cyclonefan]

I dont know, i didnt hear the whole thing. Something about rebuilding the levi so they could build on that side (possibly the path or gardens?) I dont know for sure. I walked in half way through what they were saying. (they had a spokeswomen at my church speaking about it)

[DMRyan]

I heard something recently that the riverwalk project currently only has $1 million "in the bank" for future phases, so earmarking funding for the rest of the project is obviously still underway.

The good news is that the Hansen Triangle portion of the project should still begin this year.

[dmluvr]

Sounds good--any scoop on the bridge?? Are they still on track to get that off the ground this year?

[DMRyan]

The bridge is slated for construction to start this summer, bucko.

[dmluvr]

that's big bucko to you daddy!

That's awesome to hear!

[RyDW]

Saw this story on WHOTV news tonight. Sounds exciting!

Downtown River Proposal


March 30, 2007--- An idea to put boats on the Des Moines River downtown is grabbing the attention of city leaders, as well as kayakers looking for a closer place to play.

For the past year, City Hall has been studying a project that would compliment the popular riverwalk and give the downtown economy a boost.

The project would start with the reconstruction of the Scott Street Dam, which City Manager Rick Clark deems as dangerous. A brand new dam nearby would raise the water levels of both the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers to make them navigable.

But the idea doesn't end there. The proposal also calls for a man-made white water rafting course that would run parallel to the river, as well as a 60,000 square foot skateboard park next it to. Clark calls it the most dramatic and interesting ideas he's seen in a very long time.

Of course, the project is still in its infancy. Clark says, it is too soon to estimate a pricetag for the project, which may qualify for state and federal funds.

[DMRyan]

This is the most awesome idea for the riverwalk, and would be the signature piece of this project. Imagine an extreme sports park based on the river, right in downtown.

I've heard the price tag for this is at least $40 million, which is pretty damn steep. This will no doubt have to be saved for future phases, but should be a priority when the current riverwalk plans are completed.

[Cyclonefan]

If all this gets built, it will be quite a site from the interstate. Imagine you are from California and hear sterotypes about Des MOines just being a small rual farming city compared to Southern CAL and you drive through, see a humongus bridge, huge skate park, and not only that, but white water rafting on a level river in the middle of the city. It would be quite an amazing site from a travelers (and our) point of view!

[Norwalker]

One of the biggest complaints you hear from people about Des Moines -- and Iowa in general -- is the lack of recreational opportunities. What better response could there be than to build something like this? The Denver Metro, for example, has a whitewater park (out near Golden, I think), and I believe when it was built they thought it was fairly unique and forward thinking even for them. How much more would this project say about Des Moines?

A whitewater course would probably draw a small crowd just to watch kayakers run the rapids. Throw in a large skateboard park, too, and you've got something to pull in people from many age groups.

Sounds great. Who do we know that has a big checkbook?

[Better Life dude]

Sounds great. Who do we know that has a big checkbook?

$40 Million- just some loose change - that's all.

[Des Moineser]

So, with this dam rebuilding, the Feds and the Corps of Engineers have to get involved in this? If that happens, this project will take years to complete. I'd love to see it happen, but we better start working hard on that now, to cut through all the red tape.

[Ingersoll1978]

So, with this dam rebuilding, the Feds and the Corps of Engineers have to get involved in this? If that happens, this project will take years to complete. I'd love to see it happen, but we better start working hard on that now, to cut through all the red tape.

The Corps of Engineers have been involved the whole time.

[GlacialTill]

I rode in the Mayor's Bike Ride this past Saturday. The route took us past the newly constructed Asian Cultural Center on the east bank of the river. The main building looked completed but there is still plenty of work to be done in area....fill dirt, landscaping, etc. Does anyone know what the timeline is for completion for this project?

[NOG]

Summertime for the Brenton Skating Plaza. I think someone brought up the lunches in another thread.

SUMMERS AT BRENTON PLAZA
DANCING UNDER THE STARS BEGINS MAY 12TH

WHETHER YOU'RE NEW TO DANCE, BRUSHING UP, OR WANTING TO TAKE YOUR DANCING TO THE NEXT LEVEL YOU'LL LOVE DANCING UNDER THE STARS!

ENTHUSISTIC INSTRUCTION SET AGAINST THE OUTDOOR PANORAMIC VIEW OF DOWNTOWN DES MOINES, THE DES MOINES RIVER AND THE HISTORIC STATE CAPITAL BUILDING, WE'LL MAKE YOUR DANCE LESSONS AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER.

JENNIFER MALCOM, OWNER OF DANCESPORT OF IOWA WILL BEGIN WITH SALSA LESSONS.
CALL US TODAY AND REGISTER 284-1000

COMING IN JUNE! THE IOWA CONNECTION MOVIE SERIES FRIDAY NIGHTS AT 9PM

OPEN: THE PLAZA GRILL MONDAY – FRIDAY 11 AM – 1 PM

ENJOY A GRILLED HOT DOG, HAMBURGER, CHICKEN SANDWICH, OR A BRAT FOR ONLY $5. INCLUDES YOUR CHOICE OF CHIPS, COOKIE OR APPLE SLICES & A CAN OF POP OR BOTTLED WATER


WEEKLY SPECIALS:

TUESDAY – TACO OR WALKING TACO
THURSDAY – BBQ PORK

Kristina Nebel
Brenton Skating Plaza
520 Robert D Ray Drive
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-284-1000
Fax: 515-284-1015
kristina@brentonplaza.com
http://www.brentonplaza.com

[DMRyan]

The more I see the mister fountain by the skating rink, the more I wish the money to put this in was used somewhere else on the riverwalk. It's very underwhelming from a visual standpoint, but I suppose it will provide a cool-down zone for kids and those exercising on the riverwalk. It defintely lacks the shade that this area once had when it was a pocket park.

[Ingersoll1978]

From the Register:
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs. ... 27039/1001

Harkin secures early approval on river projects
REGISTER STAFF REPORTS

June 27, 2007

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), said today the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee has approved money for several park and river projects in central Iowa, including Des Moines’ riverwalk project.

The projects are expected to be approved by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday, he said, noting that it will be voted on in the House and Senate before it becomes law.

"These important investments will help downtown Des Moines and central Iowa grow and thrive,” said Harkin. “The Riverwalk is fast becoming one of Des Moines’ best attractions. Additionally, flood control improvements will help prevent a recurrence of the kind of flooding experienced in 1993.”

The Des Moines River Greenbelt would receive $3 million if legislation is approved.

For the Des Moines River Greenbelt area in Des Moines, money will be used for recreation projects, including the Principal Riverwalk project

On the Des Moines River Greenbelt area in Pella, it will expand the Volksweg trail along the Des Moines River in the Marion County Center on the Rock. The funding may also be used for the expansion of other amenities.

Fort Dodge Riverfront Development Project will receive money to restore the natural environment along the riverfront by cleaning up potentially contaminated areas, stabilizing the riverbank, improving fishing and boating opportunities, and building trails.

Another $440,000 will be spent on early work to improve the Birdland Park and Central Place levees in Des Moines.

The Army Corps determined that the Birdland Park and Central Place levees do not meet federal standards and do not provide a certifiable level of protection, based on the Chief Engineer’s Report in March 2006.

[DMRyan]

So Harkin got $3 million that is being split between 3 different communities?

Every little bit helps, but here's to get enough of an earmark to get more real progress going.