Gray's Landing/Riverpoint West: A step forward

[Mastermind]

I would entertain a row home, brownstone or the like if there is personal greenspace. I'm not asking for a lot, maybe 1000 sq ft, enough to enjoy the sunshine, and play with my dog.

[iowacountyite]

Thanks, for the visual Ryan and I apologize (could have just looked at the project page ). Nice to see that it is not only one level, however it would be so awesome if we could get some height out of just a couple of the projects that go on in this area, particularly what is going to be on the south edge of MLK IMHO. That being said, add a couple of urban townhomes, a few brownstones and incorporate some of Hatch's Greystones in the mix and downtown would have an UNBELIEVABLE urban neighborhood.

[casbern]

Still seems as though Hubbell is still interested in the Gray's Landing area, in an article entitled Strength in Rentals from the Business Record...

The company is considering an assisted living center as well as a mixed-use project in the Gray’s Landing area that could have commercial tenants on the first floor, topped with market-rate apartments.

http://businessrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=37&SubSectionID=100&ArticleID=17170#ixzz1sPQsAkCm

[dogbo]

I can't find it now (short on time, didn't try too hard), but did anyone catch the editorial in the Register a week ago or so ago by the guy (of course he lived in West Des Moines) that thinks it would be a great idea to build some homeless type housing in this area? I wish I could find the article.

[casbern]

I can't find it now (short on time, didn't try too hard), but did anyone catch the editorial in the Register a week ago or so ago by the guy (of course he lived in West Des Moines) that thinks it would be a great idea to build some homeless type housing in this area? I wish I could find the article.

I think you are referring to this one.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120408/NEWS/304080080/Downtown-Dreaming-Reader-shares-his-idea-transitional-housing-Des-Moines-homeless

IMO, not the best use of that land, but it is somewhat innovative.. but it's not good for the future of that area.

[dsmspence]

can't find it now (short on time, didn't try too hard), but did anyone catch the editorial in the Register a week ago or so ago by the guy (of course he lived in West Des Moines) that thinks it would be a great idea to build some homeless type housing in this area? I wish I could find the article.

I saw that too, Dogbo. It's so frustrating to still see this perception of Downtown. Is there a certain homeless population that tends to hang around the periphery of Downtown? Sure. However, this concept is a HORRIBLE use of what could be an amazing space. There was a quote from this story, something to the effect of "This is traditionally where homeless people have been left alone to their own devices." What better way to change this than to build up development in the area? I would personally buy a brown/grey stone in the proposed development in a hot minute. Just give me one to buy, developers!

[DMRyan]

Well, I suppose this could be quite sustainable and has certainly been done elsewhere.

[MusicMan]

I think it is a neat idea, but the reality is, that it wouldn't work for individuals living in the camps. Some that suffer from substance abuse and mental illness really need additional services, which will be provided by CISS in their new facility. The others that are part of the 'chronically homeless' population in Des Moines would most likely not be interested in any type of planned facility.

[dogbo]

^ agreed. Good take and if true, all you've done now is create a draw for a group of people that aren't in the area now, that would find this to be acceptable housing. In the end, you've solved nothing and maybe even made some issues worse.

[casbern]

Does anyone know the current status on this? I know it's a large undertaking but it seems like it starts and stops so quickly.

[iowacountyite]

Does anybody else besides Ryan and I feel that the area between The Green building and SW 7th would be a great area for a large scale mixed use project like 4th street live in Louisville, or Power and light. I was down in KC at power and light and got so jealous. An area like this holds so much potential, especially between all the old warehouses and possibly the addition of some newer condo towers and of course bars and shopping. This type of place could give Wellmans a chance at a really cool downtown location, one better than the WDSM loc (hope that statement didnt open a can of worms).

[iowacountyite]

I almost forgot to mention; using a creative name with "Riverpoint" in it would be really cool too.

Leaps of joy? Sighs of despair?

[DMRyan]

I just wonder if there are enough tourists or visitors to warrant a complex like this, but I suppose the number of visitors is growing as the metro gets larger every year. Of course, I don't really see visitors flocking to Louisville either unless its Derby time, so anything is possible. I think having a few blocks tied in with the existing nightlife in the area may be enough. Give us the covered outdoor stage/drinking area flanked by bars, a few new spaces for restaurants, and rehab or reuse some of the existing historic buildings in the area, and you've probably got enough of a recipe to make this work in Des Moines.

To make the most of the Green Building and that cool old warehouse that Wellmark just left, a portion of this kind of project should go south of MLK Jr. Parkway. You could do it in just 4 blocks; starting with the block just south of the Metro Lofts and west of the new Hampton Inn, then go south to the 1/2 block where El Bait Shop and the heating and cooling contractor's office is. Then jump MLK to hit the green block, the old Wellmark warehouse, and the I-Cubs overflow parking lot.

I would still rather have the giant lot at 4th and Court redeveloped, in conjunction with the nasty parking garage to the north first though.

[Mastermind]

I just wonder if there are enough tourists or visitors to warrant a complex like this, but I suppose the number of visitors is growing as the metro gets larger every year. Of course, I don't really see visitors flocking to Louisville either unless its Derby time, so anything is possible. I think having a few blocks tied in with the existing nightlife in the area may be enough. Give us the covered outdoor stage/drinking area flanked by bars, a few new spaces for restaurants, and rehab or reuse some of the existing historic buildings in the area, and you've probably got enough of a recipe to make this work in Des Moines.

To make the most of the Green Building and that cool old warehouse that Wellmark just left, a portion of this kind of project should go south of MLK Jr. Parkway. You could do it in just 4 blocks; starting with the block just south of the Metro Lofts and west of the new Hampton Inn, then go south to the 1/2 block where El Bait Shop and the heating and cooling contractor's office is. Then jump MLK to hit the green block, the old Wellmark warehouse, and the I-Cubs overflow parking lot.

I would still rather have the giant lot at 4th and Court redeveloped, in conjunction with the nasty parking garage to the north first though.

I agree, there is no way DSM could support another "entertainment area without diluting the EV and Court District. I think enhancing Court District and tying venues together such as the Well or Principal Park is the way to go.

Anther way is to take over the Des Moines municipal building and create one giant area: Court District , New Municipal District and then EV.

Municipal District: CourtAve north to Des Moines St./the river east to East 3rd or East 4th
City Hall and Parking Lot
P&Z
Workforce Developemnt
Police Station
Salvation Army
Club AM or whatever it is called
Jeep Lot
East Grand Office Complex
Koch Brothers

[Cyclonefan]

Something like this could always help our case for something like the NCAA tournament. I was in Louisville for the Iowa State game and the entertainment district was just full of fans from all teams. Although I agree we couldn't support a new district, beefing up an existing area with a big name restaurant like Hard Rock or something could help our case for big name events like the NCAA.

[dogbo]

I tend to agree with others that DM simply doesn't have the numbers to create yet another entertainment type district. If we tried to create a new one, we'd be cannibalizing the fledgling ones we now have .

There is a lot of room to build on what we've started and IMO it is premature to try and add yet another.

[iowacountyite]

Well a person can dream right? On the other hand I am inclined to agree with most of you that we dont have the numbers to float something like this. I think that we do however need a big shove and connecting the Court ave area with the old brewery block and the stadium is the way to go. I of course agree Ryan that building out the sw corner of 4th and court is at the top of the list.

[casbern]

Well a person can dream right? On the other hand I am inclined to agree with most of you that we dont have the numbers to float something like this. I think that we do however need a big shove and connecting the Court ave area with the old brewery block and the stadium is the way to go. I of course agree Ryan that building out the sw corner of 4th and court is at the top of the list.

I'm actually going to argue the other way. I think the connection needs to happen up 3rd to the Event Center area. This would give a much needed boost to the idea that a hotel needs to go there because not only will it have the Arena/Convention Center, it'll also have entertainment.

We must work towards connecting with that northern side of downtown in order to gain any sort of traction for development there. I really believe that this is the next step in the development of downtown.

However, I think Riverpoint/Gray's Landing is much better suited for a residential gray stone/brownstone style development, walk-able, community oriented, etc.

[iowacountyite]

Well a person can dream right? On the other hand I am inclined to agree with most of you that we dont have the numbers to float something like this. I think that we do however need a big shove and connecting the Court ave area with the old brewery block and the stadium is the way to go. I of course agree Ryan that building out the sw corner of 4th and court is at the top of the list.

I'm actually going to argue the other way. I think the connection needs to happen up 3rd to the Event Center area. This would give a much needed boost to the idea that a hotel needs to go there because not only will it have the Arena/Convention Center, it'll also have entertainment.

We must work towards connecting with that northern side of downtown in order to gain any sort of traction for development there. I really believe that this is the next step in the development of downtown.

However, I think Riverpoint/Gray's Landing is much better suited for a residential gray stone/brownstone style development, walk-able, community oriented, etc.

I'll appreciate the merit to that, keep in mind what I am proposing is that the land to be used for this is what is from the AP lofts east, NOT anything west of the Viaduct. I agree that should all be put to residential. I am inclined to agree with you once again, nothing would please me more than to see some of the 60's style office buildings between the IEC and the rest of the core get hit with a wrecking ball. Isn't there supposed to be some sort of "master plan" being put together for that area?

[casbern]

Ah.. my mistake, I was thinking west of AP and north of the DART bus barn... My apologies.

For selfish reasons though, I'd agree that I'd like to see the area around AP/Principal Park grow, great opportunities.

[DMRyan]

Sounds like a new project may be surfacing in this development. On the City Council agenda, there is discussion of Sherman and Associates constructing a $13 million dollar phase I of a new apartment project in Gray's Landing. The land is just north of the proposed Cityville project along SW 9th Street.

If all goes well, you could have Cityville, this new Sherman and Associates apartment project, and at least 1 of the 2 hotels all coming up out of the ground over the next year or so. The renovations downtown are nice, but not as exciting as seeing new buildings come out of the ground! The view heading into downtown along SW 9th Street could be unrecoginizable if all of this development is completed, and could finally give this area enough intertia to get more development going.

[iowacountyite]

If all goes well, you could have Cityville, this new Sherman and Associates apartment project, and at least 1 of the 2 hotels all coming up out of the ground over the next year or so.

Is this going to be the 525 room hotel they were talking about a while ago? Or is there any possibilty at all that this hotel will have structured parking?