Principal Riverwalk

[Cyclonefan]

Anyone else notice the apartments they photoshoped into the picture between WFA and downtown? haha that about sums up that area of downtown.

[dogbo]

7/27/2012 7:00:00 AM
THE ELBERT FILES: Principal Riverwalk's long walk
© 2012 Business Record

By Dave Elbert

Des Moines’ Principal Riverwalk is in its final construction season. It has been a long road, and a lot has happened that no one could have predicted when executives of Principal Financial Group Inc. conceived the project a decade ago.

I still recall the news conference on March 19, 2002, when Principal CEO J. Barry Griswell announced that the company would contribute $5 million to $10 million to the first phase, which was expected to cost $15 million to $20 million.

There were delays almost from the start, but eventually the project grew to more than $70 million. By the time it’s finished, Principal’s contribution will be more than $20 million.

The Des Moines-based insurer and its executives deserve a huge thank you for sticking with the project as it expanded to include flood control, an outdoor skating rink, a signature suspension bridge and a stunning new headquarters for the World Food Prize Foundation, among other amenities.

Read more: http://www.businessrecord.com/main.asp? ... z22xrU3zn3

[DMRyan]

An update on the kiosk building and pump station, which should be complete this fall. The kiosk has some cedar wood paneling on the west side that already needs to be restained. Otherwise, love the landsccaping installed on the stone retaining wall and the stair railings, and it looks like the wall will be uplit. Still waiting on a programmed use of this building...

On the other side of the Court Ave and Water Street is probably the best pump station cover up money could buy. The white paneling on the north side of the pump house will have an art installation installed.

[hawk61401]

The dangos are coming! The dangos are coming!

http://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/news-initiatives/

http://tinyurl.com/d93spzd

[DMRyan]

I've been waiting for these damn dangos for a long time now.

Hawk, did you see any information on when the public art installation is supposed to be installed on the pump station building across the street? Court Avenue at the riverwalk really looks pretty awesome right now.

I noticed they've just about wrapped up the block of the riverwalk by the YMCA building. Work is still going on near the police station on the east side of the riverwalk project.

[hawk61401]

Ryan, according to this http://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/publi ... ntitled-2/ it will be 2013.

[Ingersoll1978]

After looking through the Des Moines Public Art Foundation's website, found a "future" project for Nollen Plaza. The artist is Jim Campbell. Campbell primarily does light installations.

http://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/public-art/untitled/

http://www.jimcampbell.tv/

[Mulder.DSM]

The public is invited to the dedication on 11/13. see this: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=440645625992653&set=a.144151895642029.29458.144149142308971&type=1&theater

[dogbo]

The dangos are coming! The dangos are coming!

http://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/news-initiatives/

http://tinyurl.com/d93spzd

Although not yet officially dedicated yet, these are now installed.

[hawk61401]

The dangos are coming! The dangos are coming!

http://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/news-initiatives/

http://tinyurl.com/d93spzd

Although not yet officially dedicated yet, these are now installed.

Until someone gets dang excited to take some pics, here's some dangmation: http://tinyurl.com/d92n2j9

[casbern]

Although not yet officially dedicated yet, these are now installed.

Personally, I thought that they wouldn't be that cool... after seeing them installed, I completely changed my story.

[DMRyan]

This classic view of the downtown skyline from the SE will forever be changed. Unfortunately, the old railroad bridge in the photo is being removed by the Union Pacific Railroad currently. I was always hopeful this could transformed into yet another ped bridge as the riverwalk someday moves south, but this was a victim of the Corps of Engineers new flood thresholds for downtown. It came down to spending millions to raise the flood walls (effectively removing view of the river from the new riverwalk) or increasing the capacity to move water downstream in flood events by getting rid of obstacles like this old bridge. The red ped bridge will need to be elevated as a part of the agreement as well.

One by one, the history of DSM keeps getting chipped away. If its not removing old pieces of infrastructure like this, it's demolishing half of Highland Park to make way for a chain pharmacy store...

R.I.P.

[casbern]

Terrible. It's hard enough to hold onto the thread of history, but when you're forced to remove it it's just a shame.

[hawk61401]

This classic view of the downtown skyline from the SE will forever be changed. Unfortunately, the old railroad bridge in the photo is being removed by the Union Pacific Railroad currently. I was always hopeful this could transformed into yet another ped bridge as the riverwalk someday moves south, but this was a victim of the Corps of Engineers new flood thresholds.

Couldn't agree more, Ryan. I was hoping too this could be another spectacular pedestrian bridge.

Wow, check this one out: http://tinyurl.com/ajfbp4p

http://bridgehunter.com/category/city/des-moines-iowa/

[DMRyan]

A look at the dangos and other nearby improvements from every direction.

[dogbo]

Although not yet officially dedicated yet, these are now installed.

Personally, I thought that they wouldn't be that cool... after seeing them installed, I completely changed my story.

Story from today's Register:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... ck_check=1

[DSMSiren]

Does anyone have a photo of the rendering of the canopy that's going over the Brenton Skating Plaza? What a nice addition that will be! I'd like to see much more activity there in the warmer months so this will make it much more usable. And Principal's paying for it...bonus!

[DMRyan]

They're putting a canopy over the skating plaza? I hadn't heard that before!

I think they should add a few colored lights to the skating plaza during the wintertime, similar to this skating rink in downtown Detroit.

[hawk61401]

If you are into skateboarding, you will love this video. It's slick, very well done. But, I had to kinda cringe when I watched it. Watching them skateboarding on the riverwalk, Center Street Bridge, all over downtown and doing all kinds of stunts, I had to think of the nicks, chips, scratches and sorts of damage that they could be doing. http://vimeo.com/50351579

Hopefully, soooooooon .... http://tinyurl.com/ccuq9lf

[DMRyan]

Here are some looks at the canopy going over the skating plaza that DSMSiren had mentioned. This is meant to increase the use of the plaza for events, weddings, and bar mitzfahs during the hot summer months. Way cool what they can do with lighting technology on the inside of the tents too.

This will not be up in the wintertime.

(Renderings courtesy of RDG Planning and Design)

[dogbo]

Good deal. That shoud help. That area bakes in the hot sun with all the cement around.

[hawk61401]

I would think this would be a no-brainer. I was surprised at the end of the article when the question was asked to vote: "Should a canopy be built over the Brenton Skating Plaza in Des Moines?" The majority said no or didn't care. Ingrates!

If you’ve ever wanted to host a warm-weather event at Brenton Skating Plaza but feared the blazing sun, Principal Financial may soon have you — and the plaza — covered.

The company is leading plans to maximize the rink’s usability in non-winter months by way of a canopy shelter able to block out the rain and sun while encouraging the rink’s use as an event space, city documents show.

The canopy would go up in the spring, come down in the fall and cost between $400,000 and $500,000. It currently awaits final review from the city’s Urban Design Board.

“That’s been a problem with summer events,” Des Moines City Councilwoman Christine Hensley said. “There’s not any shade. The issue has been just trying to increase the ability to generate additional rentals for opportunities for people to utilize it.”

Brenton Skating Plaza, a $4.5 million facility at 520 Robert D. Ray Drive, last year reported a loss of $500,000 since its opening in 2006. The plaza saw a record number of skaters last season.

The saddle-shaped canopy would complement the design of the rink’s existing Zamboni and skate rental buildings, according to documents. Another canopy structure could potentially cover a nearby stage area for special events. Special interlocking sections would cover the rink’s floor during events.

The Urban Design Board will discuss the design proposals at its February meeting.

http://tinyurl.com/a88fsr

[dogbo]

According to the article, the plaza is running a half a million in the red despite record number of skaters. This seems like a great way to close that gap.

[Braniff]

Here are some looks at the canopy going over the skating plaza that DSMSiren had mentioned. This is meant to increase the use of the plaza for events, weddings, and bar mitzfahs during the hot summer months. Way cool what they can do with lighting technology on the inside of the tents too.

This will not be up in the wintertime.

(Renderings courtesy of RDG Planning and Design)

I hope the proposed canopy has great acoustics. If so, it's be great for some summer concerts by such ensembles as the Des Moines Symphony, the Des Moines Community Orchestra, various jazz and rock ensembles and the like. I think that the canopy could turn the place into another performance venue for the downtown area. Thoughts?

[otter]

The Riverwalk is now complete

http://www.kcci.com/news/entertainment/Principal-declares-Riverwalk-now-complete/-/9356786/18358614/-/15eahpe/-/index.html

[dogbo]

The Riverwalk is now complete

http://www.kcci.com/news/entertainment/Principal-declares-Riverwalk-now-complete/-/9356786/18358614/-/15eahpe/-/index.html

So soon ?!?


On a more serious note, do we assume the 2013 Arts Festival moves back to the river this year?

[wmjindsm]

Not that they can't change their minds but there website says this year's fest is in the Gateway Park. I would think that if they did go back, it would be 2014 at the earliest.

http://desmoinesartsfestival.org/festiv ... mation.php

[MusicMan]

Not that they can't change their minds but there website says this year's fest is in the Gateway Park. I would think that if they did go back, it would be 2014 at the earliest.

http://desmoinesartsfestival.org/festiv ... mation.php

I doubt the Art Festival will go back to the bridges. The Art Center and others want them where they are to showcase the Sculpture Park.

[dogbo]

Not that they can't change their minds but there website says this year's fest is in the Gateway Park. I would think that if they did go back, it would be 2014 at the earliest.

http://desmoinesartsfestival.org/festiv ... mation.php

I doubt the Art Festival will go back to the bridges. The Art Center and others want them where they are to showcase the Sculpture Park.

Here's the response I rec'd back when I emailed the director:

Hello,

The 2013 Festival will indeed be in the same location it has been for the past several years, surrounding the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. Beyond that will be up to the board to consider.

stephen

[hawk61401]

I wonder whatever happend to the INBA's Public Art Project, "A Monumental Journey" I emailed Dory Briles. Haven't had the courtesy of a reply yet. I wanted to know if, when, or ever, the project is going to be completed. Many many months ago, the project had reached $400,000. I haven't donated to this particular project myself. If I had, I'd sure be more adamant about some updates.

http://www.ianationalbar.com/inba_art.html