Highland Park Photos/News

[DMRyan]

Highland Park is an old streetcar suburb of Des Moines that was annexed into the city in 1913. It's a slightly gritty urban node that has seen better days, but still holds several long-time and notable Des Moines businesses. A recent streetscape project was just completed for half of the district. For those familiar with Des Moines, but not Highland Park, the business district portion of the neighborhood is on Euclid Avenue at the intersections of 2nd Avenue and 6th Street.

Welcome to


Historical Marker


Streetscape


New lighting


That covers the new streetscape portion of the tour, now onto the buildings.
The smart land use group 1000 Friends of Iowa has offices in this apartment.




Businesses along Euclid Avenue (Hwy. 6)


Aqualand Pet Shop


Former location of Bach's Appliances


Home of the recently closed down best Cavatelli in Des Moines


The Chicago Dog & Deli


Chuck's is a long time Des Moines Italian restaurant tradition...there's good, artery clogging pizza here.


A view down Euclid Avenue


A lovely pawn shop


The ornate French Way Dry Cleaners


French Way detailing


Highland Park Hardware




Iowa Savings Bank


Cheap Shops


Lynn's Supermarket is another long time classic. This supermarket has had one of the best haunted houses in the basement for years. You have to slide down the produce chute to enter


Tattoos and Teeth


Businesses


This cool vine covered office/apartment looks like it was once a fire station




Brick Apartments



Defintely a little gritty, but there's a lot of potential to turn this into something much greater.

[Ingersoll1978]

Your right Ryan...it's not impressive. I like the arch, but the overall project looks very plain. Those benches look like they would collapse if you sat on them. If they buried the power lines, it would have looked a lot better. This looks like a half attempt at improving the area. A waste of money if you ask me. After seeing how well the East Village project turned out, I expected a lot better. They better have much better plans for Ingersoll.

[DMRyan]

To me it's all about the landscaping. Look at the photo with the vines on the firehouse. That little section of Highland Park's business district looks much better than the rest. The fact that the city only had the money to complete half of the district doesn't help either.

I defintely wouldn't call this a waste of money. The city actually put a lot of time and hard work into getting it to this stage with very limited funds, but it does look a little incomplete. We'll have to see if the $1.6 million cost of the project will pay off in the long run. If nothing else, it does clean up the district somewhat.

[NOG]

This neighborhood is definately very rough around the edges. There is so much potential with all those wonderful old buildings. Hopefully this will help get the ball rolling on improving the business district.

[jhuston]

Wow... rough around the edges?? Bury the power lines?? What do you want? The Plaza?

Looks like a pretty nice area to me! Great photos Ryan.

[dmluvr]

I am friends and do business with Albert F. who chairs the highland park neighborhood association. They did do a lot of work on this, and they plan to do more lanscaping work in the near future. She has been a champion for this project, she also is putting pressure on the local business to clean up their properties. All but one owner are ethusicatic about it, and are in process of cleaning up and painting their buisness. They talked about burying the power lines, but was cost prohibibtive.....

[DMRyan]

Now, we just need to attract some artistic type tenants. I was suprised to Chicago Dog & Deli move from their Grand Avenue location downtown to this location on Euclid. Maybe they will be first of many businesses that make that decision. I'm curious as to what Highland Park used to look like. I see that they had a little 'renewal' and the streetscape of pedestrian friendly buildings is chopped up by a car wash, drive-thru bank and other businesses that cater to the car.

[Ingersoll1978]

Hopefully the city will step up and finish the project properly. I think the picture with the bushes along the street look realy nice. Hopefully they can expand that throughout the area in the future. I think that make a world of difference. In the second from the last picture, is that an old fire house????? I love the one in sherman hill, now that would be a great home.

[DMRyan]

Yes, I think it's an office with an apartment above it. In my travels of Des Moines, I've actually found about 4 old firehouses that have been converted to residences.

[urbanite]

I just recently purchased a home in this neighborhood and am very proud of the leaps that have been made, not that there are not a lot more leaps to be made. I encourage all who are looking for an older home, especially a bungalow to look in this part of town. I like to think of this part of Des Moines as the Pasadena of Des Moines, especially if the parks were all reviewd together-Highland Park, Oak Park, and Union Park. Also, if you go to the North side library(5th & Euclid) you can see numerous pictures of the old days and riverview park. Also, you can get a lot of information about the nieghborhood from a book calld"We Would be Okay if they Just Blew Up the Bridges". The title refers to the fact that since DSM took over the area it has been kind of the forgotten part of town, but then I guess everyone feels that way about their part our the city. I think the street scape project is great, and from what I understand this is just the beggining for the area. Also, Just a note, the area used to boast a college at the corner of 2ns and Euclid, infact the shop behind the Walgreens is the only remaining building from the college, and is full of twin houses, one built for the owner to live in and the olther to rent to faculty and students, my own home at 5th & Ovid seems to be one of these homes with ours being to the north and an identical home to the south. And as far as the area being rough, I moved back from the west coast and I think the area is just fine, maybe not West Des Moines, but I intentianlly didnt want a plastic neighborhood to live in. Also, the area is one of the safest in the city, this coming from 3 police men to whom I have spoken, one even stated that its just as safe as Beaverdale, or even the area around polk boulevard & Ingersol. :D :)

[Young DSM Social Club]

Welcome to town! I live near Ingersoll and love older neighborhoods. I think Highland Park is a great area. It's unfortunate the DSM area is too eager to embrace urban sprawl and cookie-cutter development.

[DMRyan]

Maybe this new streetscape will be more impressive in the spring when they hang flower pots from the light poles and the businesses do more decorative landscaping. Supposedly, the entryway arch is/or will be lit up at night as well.

[dogbo]

I had a topic to bring up and figured you've all probably discussed it before. Sure enough, I found this thread.

I drove down Euclid this morning hoping to see some progress in the Highland park area but unfortanately I don't see any business/building owners taking any steps to upgrade their buildings. Does Chuck's think their circa 1970's facade fits in nicely with the new streetscape? Hoping the old wood shaked awning will soon make a comeback??

The optomist in me say most are waiting until warmer weather. I sure hope so otherwise I feel this was a waste of my tax dollars.

[DMRyan]

We're on the ball dogbo!

Chuck's being the most popular business in the area should take the lead to do some exterior work. I don't think we'll see an amazing transformation of the area soon, especially if the IDOT license station moves out of the neighborhood. I wouldn't get too impatient yet though, they only finished this thing early last fall. Small businesses will probably take their time in making repairs, but it will happen if the area starts to attract new residents.

Now if Beaverdale and the East Grand Hispanic Business District would only get some money for streetscapes too, we'll have some nice neighborhood commercial pockets.

[Young DSM Social Club]

I think Beaverdale won't have any problem getting funds, being part of that "Main Street" deal.

They have, apparently, blocked the Salvation Army from coming.

Is there already a posting somewhere on Beaverdale stuff? If so, I'll post it there ... (no brain today).

[DMRyan]

Here's a thread on it dating all the way back to last July.

Beaverdale Thread

[Cmuse]

Urbanite wrote that Highland Park used to house a college. I found this view of Highland Park College from the Cowles Library's online photo collection.

http://ddr.lib.drake.edu/cdm4/item_view ... 132&REC=16

The college became Des Moines University (not to be confused with the current health sciences Des Moines University). The earlier DMU closed in 1929. Most of the buildings were torn down in the mid 1950s to make way for Park Fair Shopping Center.

There are also several great Web sites about Riverview Park, which was located west of 6th Avenue a few blocks south of the Euclid Avenue business district. Here's one of them:

http://webpages.charter.net/bwkooker/index.html

[DMRyan]

The Aqualand Pet Store building in Highland Park is set for a proposed renovation that would add apartments to the upper floors once again and update the commercial space on the first level. Renovations like this in Highland Park are sorely needed before the commercial district crumbles by the way side. Hopefully those tacky add-on wood shingles go away.

[EastsidePride]

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned the best thing about that neighborhod, the Highland Park Country Club. It is the best place to get breakfast in that area and the drinks are cheap.

[dsmurbanite]

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned the best thing about that neighborhod, the Highland Park Country Club. It is the best place to get breakfast in that area and the drinks are cheap.

Kind of scary though......the food may be good, but we have tried to go in there and eat and each time, lets just say there has been an "incident" with someone that is of the sunburned neck variety. I love the area, and actually just realized this weekend that a number of business have opened, from a flower shop next to Chicago Dog to a new barber just down.

I do hope that they get the renovation of this building done soon, and then move on to the next, as this is a nice pocket business district. There are a couple of them that i have found, in varying degrees of neglect, but all a very tangible assett to their neighborhood and possibly even jewels in the rough. Plus, with the gaping hole created by the idiot drunk about two months ago, I am really worried that this building will suffer severe damage this winter.

And to Chuck's, don't mention it to Linda B. She scoffed at the idea, stating it would be a waste of money and time. Oh well, perhaps she will get on board when she sees the Aqualand building being completed.

[DMRyan]

She's not in favor of renovating this building? Not sure if she realized that Highland Park's commercial district is in shambles, half of the commercial buildings near 2nd Avenue are in jeopardy of demolition if a national pharmacy chain has their way and large sections of the neighborhood are declining.

I suppose you could once again argue the merits of tax dollars going towards the renovation of this building, but I'm at a loss to understand how renovating this cornerstone of a building is anything but crucial to the commercial corridor. You know that Des Moines' Rehabber's Club list of endangered buildings? Put half of Highland Park's historic commercial stock on it.

[dogbo]

We'll maybe Linda B needs to realize that many of us think it is a waste of our tax dollars to beautify the area if the private business owners don't do their part as well. If true, that is such a short-sighted viewpoint she has

[dsmurbanite]

She's not in favor of renovating this building? Not sure if she realized that Highland Park's commercial district is in shambles, half of the commercial buildings near 2nd Avenue are in jeopardy of demolition if a national pharmacy chain has their way and large sections of the neighborhood are declining.

I suppose you could once again argue the merits of tax dollars going towards the renovation of this building, but I'm at a loss to understand how renovating this cornerstone of a building is anything but crucial to the commercial corridor. You know that Des Moines' Rehabber's Club list of endangered buildings? Put half of Highland Park's historic commercial stock on it.

What is going on here? I am pretty involved in the neighborhood and have not heard anything about this. Where and what part of the 2nd Ave area are we talking?

And as to the large parts of the neighborhood declining, I think we are having our problems, but please do not make it sound like it is turning into a slum, we are still a long ways ahead of Drake and Riverbend. The problem I see is that around here, people are more fixated on victorians then craftsmans which is now becoming a national trend in other areas.

With that said, I would be open to ideas that I could take to the neighborhood meetings for suggestions to get folks interested. I have racked my brain, and do not see a tour of homes really working because most of our homes are smaller, less grand but still nice. I know of so many homes that have nice yards, and am working on a possible self guided tour of the area, but would really like to come up with some sort of plan that could attract more stable homeowners to the area. One of the massive problems we have right now, at least in my part of the "hood" is that several less then desirable landlords are snatching up foreclosed homes and then being nothing more then slum lords and not being very attentive to their properties. Please, suggest some ideas, I would love to hear them. Thank you.

[EastsidePride]

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned the best thing about that neighborhod, the Highland Park Country Club. It is the best place to get breakfast in that area and the drinks are cheap.

Kind of scary though......the food may be good, but we have tried to go in there and eat and each time, lets just say there has been an "incident" with someone that is of the sunburned neck variety.

That's the best part about going there. I love the atmosphere. I can kind of see where it might scare people who are used to the western suburbs.

[dsmurbanite]

I'm suprised nobody has mentioned the best thing about that neighborhod, the Highland Park Country Club. It is the best place to get breakfast in that area and the drinks are cheap.

Kind of scary though......the food may be good, but we have tried to go in there and eat and each time, lets just say there has been an "incident" with someone that is of the sunburned neck variety.

That's the best part about going there. I love the atmosphere. I can kind of see where it might scare people who are used to the western suburbs.

Actually, I do not use the places out west, I normally stay downtown or on the north/east sides. It is fine, but I found the place to be dirty and the people there did scare me. The first time I was there, they had a fight between two groups of guys, and the second time I was there, the guy at the next table tried to sell me something that would keep me awake for a few days. I have lived and experienced rough areas, and by that I am not talking Iowa, but LA and San Diego (San Diego has it's version of the east side, but they call it the east county and lets just say that it too was a bit unnerving at times). I do not mind "atmosphere", as long as I don't feel that the meal I just ordered is going to be my last. Personally, for this kind of food, I will take Kens any day, but to each their own. Actually, for food, I tend to go more for Chicago Speakeasy or Iowa Beef, or to Kens Diner and Chicago Dog. I really like Chicago Dog, those folks are extremely nice, keep the place clean, and very supportive of the neighborhood. However, Kens has a really good cheeseburger and Chicken Fried Steak. Also, in Park Fair, there is a little sandwich shop in the basement, not sure as to the name, but they have a very, very good steak sandwich, definately worth the trip. The only bad thing are the hours that they are open, Mon-Fri and only until 3, I think. I would really like to see her open up somewhere up top and have extended hours though.

[EastsidePride]

I find the fights and the meth offers at The Highland Park Country Club entertaining. If you want to avoid that crowd it's best to go early like at 7 am when they open up. The breakfast is awesome.

I'll have to check out Ken's sometime. I've heard alot of good things about it. One of my other favorite places in Highland Park is Little John's. Good old fashioned, greasy hamburgers like they should be!

[dsmurbanite]

I would agree about little Johns'. my only problem with them is miracle whip instead of mayo, but if you remeber to just order with out the whip, then you are fine. That is the one thing about this part of town, a lot of choices close at hand for food, as even downtown isn't that far away. If you can't tell, I can't cook!

[EastsidePride]

And of course if you drive a little ways on 6th ave towards Norf High, there's Mr. Bibbs. Damn good tenderloins!

[rasmeth]

Salvadoran food can be found in the area too!

[JMsioux]

Salvadoran food can be found in the area too!

I used to have a Salvadoran working in my department. He would bring food to lunch and would share with a few of us. It got to the point where I was buying ingredients for him so he could prepare it for my wife and I. Awesome stuff!