Court Avenue Development Efforts

[ihawk00]

I was in there a couple weeks back. It wasn't very busy, but it was early. There was a DJ setting up for the night. Two of my girlfriends described it as a "gay sports bar" vibe. The happy hour specials were decent as well.

[dogbo]

A few friends and I checked it out after a recent Iowa Stars game. It was a decent place. They have a basketball hoop (a real one, not an arcade game type), so it is kind of fun to play a game or two of pig while downing some beers.

The place will be very cool during the summer. Not only will they have the deck Ryan mentioned, but there's a lot of sliding doors (since this is an old depot) that they'll open up when the weather is nice.

One of the owners even stopped by and talked to us for awhile. That is always a nice touch.

[Shivz]

A few friends and I checked it out after a recent Iowa Stars game. It was a decent place. They have a basketball hoop (a real one, not an arcade game type), so it is kind of fun to play a game or two of pig while downing some beers.

Sounds like Three-Bag, with the real basketball hoop and all.

[dogbo]

A few friends and I checked it out after a recent Iowa Stars game. It was a decent place. They have a basketball hoop (a real one, not an arcade game type), so it is kind of fun to play a game or two of pig while downing some beers.

Sounds like Three-Bag, with the real basketball hoop and all.

Other than the BB hoop, they really aren't similar to each other.

[4th&Court]

It's kind of like El-Bait Shop from what I saw. Alot less beer choices, of course, but that kind of feel.

[Ingersoll1978]

Another bar from Full Court Press?

From Cityview's Civic Skinny:

Skinny also hears that Bruning and his partners at Full Court Press (owners of Des Moines bars Hessen House, El Bait Shop, Royal Mile and others) will soon unearth a “prohibition-era key club” downtown. We hear it is going to be called Shorty’s. Word is that they are trying to keep everything in tact and operate the bar as it was during the era. It may already be open. Nobody knows.

[dogbo]

Another bar from Full Court Press?

From Cityview's Civic Skinny:

Skinny also hears that Bruning and his partners at Full Court Press (owners of Des Moines bars Hessen House, El Bait Shop, Royal Mile and others) will soon unearth a “prohibition-era key club” downtown. We hear it is going to be called Shorty’s. Word is that they are trying to keep everything in tact and operate the bar as it was during the era. It may already be open. Nobody knows.

I'm sure this is the bar they plan to put in the basement of their new grocery store. http://www.absolutedsm.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1922

[The Chain]

I'm pretty sure that's supposed to be just a wine cellar, not really a full fledged bar.

[dogbo]

I'm pretty sure that's supposed to be just a wine cellar, not really a full fledged bar.

From the thread I linked to above regarding the information I learned during the BOA mtg:

A small tavern will be located in the basement off the "wine cellar". The owners are putting this in to help supplement the grocery store's revenues...especially starting out. Described as a hidden treasure that people will be a pleasantly surprised and won't expect to be there and will kind of just "stumble upon".

[DMRyan]

There must be over a dozen restaurants and bars that have announced intentions recently and it's getting hard to keep track. Most of them are in the Court Avenue area, but East Grand Avenue in East Village could really be coming alive soon too.

Once the construction plans get shored up south of the Gateway Park, this could be another dining/drinking hot spot downtown.

[DMRyan]

Not much news here, but it once again cements that the developers of the 4th & Court project are working with the owners of Centro to bring a high-end latin themed restaurant to the first floor of their project. Earlier discussion about this restaurant eluded to this being a type of restaurant that is not currently found in the Des Moines area. The City is providing a loan to get the business off the ground.

From the Council Agenda:

On August 8, 2005, by Roll Call 05-1973, the City Council reaffirmed its direction that the City Manager proceed with negotiating an assistance package for a potential restaurant in the building currently under construction at the SE corner of Court Avenue and 4th Street.



The developer initiated proposal accepted by City Council on August 9, 2004, by Roll Call 04-1693, originally contemplated restaurant/entertainment financial assistance of $945,000 for multiple venues. This portion of the project was determined to be integral to the overall project proposal; however, there were many details yet to be finalized, so specific terms of the assistance package were left to be negotiated at a later date. This component of the project has now been refined to one high-end restaurant proposal. Other potential venues, such as the former Nacho Mamma’s building at 3rd and Court, are being redeveloped by other parties and are no longer considered a part of this project.

The City Manager has negotiated a $350,000 loan with Court Avenue Ventures, L.L.P. (Rick Tollakson, President and CEO, Hubbell Realty Company, 6900 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266). Proceeds will be used for tenant improvements related to an 8,900 square foot, high-end Latin-themed restaurant. Total cost of the restaurant will exceed $1.6 million.

[Ingersoll1978]

For $1.6 million, that'll be quite a nice restaurant.

Also, The Spaghetti Works reopens on Monday. I'll have to go check out their remodel...and hope their food has improved with it!

[BHAZE311]

Does anyone know the company that will operate the live music venue in the old nacho mamma's building on 3rd and court?

[Philby]

B - i've heard that its going to be run by the people who own peoples in ames and all the ak's in DM - and its going to be called "people's court"

PS - welcome to the forums!

[NOG]

For $1.6 million, that'll be quite a nice restaurant.

Also, The Spaghetti Works reopens on Monday. I'll have to go check out their remodel...and hope their food has improved with it!

The wife and I checked Spaghetti Works out over lunch today. It was not a dramatic remodel. They added a couple walls to seperate the entrance from the bar and restaurant. It looks like the floors were redone. The layout and booths seem unchanged for the most part. The biggest change is that the kitchen is now in the back of the building where the old Comedy Club used to be and a banquet room is now where the kitchen used to be.

[Ingersoll1978]

Is the Fire Engine salad bar still there?

[RyDW]

I sure hope the fire engine salad bar is still there

Sadly, the Des Moines Big Band no longer plays there. They used to play every monday night in that back room where the comedy shows were. They now play at the Adventureland Inn...ugggh. It was great to have quality jazz like that in downtown Des Moines. Does anyone know of any other jazz that plays downtown on a regular basis?

[wmjindsm]

I just asked my friend who was there the other night, and he said the salad bar was a truck, but he didn't believe it was a fire truck. Maybe they gave it a makeover. He said there was also some kind of big birdcage that had a table inside for two people.

[NOG's Wife]

Does anyone know of any other jazz that plays downtown on a regular basis?

The Continental has jazz fairly often...most nights of the week, I believe.

[Ingersoll1978]

We stopped by Spaghetti Works on Saturday night...and it was a little better. The old firetruck is now just a old pickup truck (it's different all together...and seems much larger). The food was a little better...but I actually liked the old decor better. It's not nearly as "airy" anymore.

[RyDW]

Does anyone know of any other jazz that plays downtown on a regular basis?

The Continental has jazz fairly often...most nights of the week, I believe.

Ahh thanks Nog's Wife

[butters]

This weeks Juice has a pretty sizable write-up on all the upcoming entertainment venues opening downtown. It's a pretty good read and it even has the token reader comments from the clueless.

I know we've previously discussed the possibility of Downtown becoming the "it" place to go on Friday and Saturday nights. I think getting media plugs like this is important to getting the west-siders to notice downtown. Downtown is an absolutley superior product (night life wise), but I fear getting people to notice will be a challenge...

[ISULA]

Can anyone post some new pics of the construction/ renovation around Court Ave.? None have been posted in quite some time.

[dogbo]

This weeks Juice has a pretty sizable write-up on all the upcoming entertainment venues opening downtown. It's a pretty good read and it even has the token reader comments from the clueless.

I know we've previously discussed the possibility of Downtown becoming the "it" place to go on Friday and Saturday nights. I think getting media plugs like this is important to getting the west-siders to notice downtown. Downtown is an absolutley superior product (night life wise), but I fear getting people to notice will be a challenge...

Kudos to Juice! Great coverage (although this is more than just Court Ave projects: : http://www.dmjuice.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... /303080002

[josh]

Good article. I can't wait for inPlay to come, if it's anything like Dave & Buster's it'll be awesome.

[mistertwister]

Am I clueless????? I was quoted.

I definitely think downtown will retake the mantle as the location to go to on the weekend within the next year or two. It's not an if it is most definitely a when. There will be a critical mass of entertainment and dining options opening in the next year that should push it over the top. And with all the options within walking distance, all it needs is a little positive buzz.

[butters]

Am I clueless????? I was quoted.

I definitely think downtown will retake the mantle as the location to go to on the weekend within the next year or two. It's not an if it is most definitely a when. There will be a critical mass of entertainment and dining options opening in the next year that should push it over the top. And with all the options within walking distance, all it needs is a little positive buzz.

That comment was aimed at the people that offered useless insight such as this:

"I think the part that is lacking the most is the west side. Sure they have some of the newer places popping up, but nothing really affordable for someone, say, coming from the south side of Des Moines."

"An area with several bars all within walking distance so bar hopping without driving is an option."

"Still not enough to make me want to leave the West side."

[Ingersoll1978]

It was a great write up for Downtown. Good job Juice!

[DMRyan]

That was the best issue of Juice ever! Loved the write up and more detailed information about each of the new places opening up. They might've missed a few places planned in the East Village though.

[DMRyan]

An update of the 4thStreet Condos/Marketplace Lofts project by Hubbell.