Court Avenue Development Efforts

[dogbo]

The 101 Lounge on 3rd Street (old depot building shared with Hessan Haus) has added a very nice deck on the front of their building and now has a sign up near the street. If the new sign is to be believed, they are now serving food.

[4th&Court]

This restaurant name has been on the signage for awhile, but I couldn't tell where they were trying to say it'd be.

[dmluvr]

this is in the new building that's being constructed now correct??
and then that spanish(i think is that right?) going in there too (???)

[Better Life dude]

dmluvr: yes on both questions. A very nice restaurant on street level, right on the corner.

[4th&Court]

That place seemed to be quite active the other night. Here here!

[kgb1972]

I currently live in Detroit and I will be relocating to Des Moines at the end of this month. I am looking for a downtown loft/apartment and was hoping the people that actively contribute to this site could offer some suggestions for me. I am interested in the Court Avenue Lofts and possibly the Hubble Tower Apartments. I was in Des Moines the entire month of August so I am familiar with both neighborhoods but haven't seen any of the units in either building. Any feedback would be great.

If there is another topic that better suits my goals, please let me know.

[rasmeth]

Try this link: http://live.downtowndesmoines.com/

[dogbo]

kgjb972 mentioned two places that are rental only, so I assume he/she is interested in renting, not buying. Is that correct?

I'd suggest checking out the Downtown Community Alliance website and click on "I want to live here" to get ideas:


http://www.downtowndesmoines.com/index.php

[kgb1972]

Thank you both Rasmeth and dogbo for the info. Dogbo, I will check out the link you posted as you are correct, I am looking to rent because my job is transitional and I'm not certain how long I will be in Des Moines.

I knew I could count on this site for some helpful information. And btw, my name is Keith (so that would be a he)

[Ingersoll1978]

First off...WELCOME to Des Moines!

If you want to live Downtown...those are two good options. It really depends on if you want to live in the nightlife or not. That is really the determining factor between those two areas. Also, Court Avenue will be next to the riverwalk...but Hubbell is close to the Gateway West Park area. On Court...you have the market...East Village has one too...and the Gateway West area is close to Gateway Market. If you like independent coffee, Court has Java Joes...East Village has the EV Coffee Bean...and if you like Starbucks...it is in the Gateway West area. There are actually several more rental options to look at too (10th Street Lofts, East Village Square, Vine Street Lofts, Arlington Hallet...etc.).
other options in the Downtown area to look at.

[kgb1972]

I knew that website sounded familiar. I have checked out that page, but I'm looking for more "inside" information. Someone that has been to or lives in either Court Ave, or Hubbell Tower (or somewhere similar) that can give me the skinny.

I will be moving by myself so I won't require a ton of space, but enough for a single man to be comfortable. With what I've seen listed, I'm hoping to find something in the $600 - $750 range.

If anyone has the lowdown on either Court Ave or Hubbell Tower...

Thanks again to those that have already replied.

[kgb1972]

Thanks Ingersoll! That's great information. And thanks for the welcome message. The time that I spent in Des Moines this summer was really a great experience for me, and the simple courtesies of Iowans was a major reason why. I felt at home from the moment I arrived.

[kgb1972]

I just checked out Hallett Flats, and am curious what the median age is of the tenants. They look great from the outside, but I'm a bit skeptical about the quilt rack/stand/whatever they are called pictured in the 1 Bedroom photo.

http://www.metropropsdsm.com/hallett_apartments.htm

[Better Life dude]

I just checked out Hallett Flats, and am curious what the median age is of the tenants. They look great from the outside, but I'm a bit skeptical about the quilt rack/stand/whatever they are called pictured in the 1 Bedroom photo.

Best thing about this place is you're at the epicenter for an evolving, cool city park space. And you have a coffee shop downstairs.

[Ingersoll1978]

I believe they have a younger demographic.

I had a friend who lived in the Hallett. It was a very nice place. It has a more "vintage" feel than the newer condos. The only bad thing is that it is along the "loop" (which is where the teens go around and around cruising)...but that isn't nearly as bad as it used to be when he lived there.

[josh]

You can head over to my site if you want more "inside" information. Court Ave Lofts and Hubbell Tower are full. Gateway Lofts are renting, but are probably outside of what you want to spend.

Park Place is somewhere you can look at, they are renting and giving incentives believe it or not. It's a nice place, and it's pretty cheap.

[4th&Court]

How important is noise? Vine Street Lofts would be a decent option in that price range, but the noise can be a little much. I have lived just off of Court Avenue for about a year and a half. It's much quieter up on 4th St.

[BHAZE311]

KGB. Welcome and I hope you are enjoying DSM so far. I live in the Court Ave Lofts and am very happy with where I live. My unit faces Court Ave. and one would probably say that it is the 'loudest' place to live downtown. I get up and go to work everyday and the noise really isn't an issue (other than Tequila Tom's penny pitcher Mondays). Just some insider info for ya, I had a buddy come in and talk to the Court Ave. Lofts office manager and she said that there were about 40 people on the wait list. Anyway, good luck apt. hunting and again, welcome.

[dogbo]

Don't forget about Sherman Hill. There are some really cool apartment buildings there (as well as some dumps). Maybe someone here can provide some guidance as to which ones are worth looking into.

[kgb1972]

Thank you all for the great inside information. I have been in contact with Hubbell and Court Ave and they both have some available units. Maybe the wait list at Court is for units that are not a part of the income restriction. I am actually filling out an application for Unit 1 (NW corner) at Court Ave. But it is part of the Tax Credit program. It depends on what they use to determine my income whether or not I'll qualify. If they use the 2006 tax return, I'm in. If they use anything else, I'm out. I've heard they base it on the coming year's income. Does anyone know if that is true or not?

And thanks for another welcome. Although I am already there in heart, I'm actually not in DSM yet. I'm still in Detroit for another two weeks.

[kgb1972]

Hey Josh -

Your article on Trina Braafhart (had to click back to the article three times to make sure I spelled that one right) has convinced me to consider Gateway once again. BTW, how do you pronounce that? Similar to Braveheart?

Anyway, I'm serious about your review opening up the possibility to the Gateway. I know this is the wrong topic to discuss that area of town, but I'm here now and can move the conversation there if necessary (but remember time is of the essence). Gateway really caught my attention right off the bat, but the negative stuff I was reading about Conlin was scaring me off. Anyone care to share their input? Gateway is a touch more than I want to spend, but I would make it work if it were truly worth the money.

[ladymarshall]

KGB, the Hubbell Tower and Court Avenue lofts are restricted by the Iowa Finance Authorities income and maximum rent restricts for Section 42 Housing. the 2007 income limit for a single person is around $28,000. You can check out their website if you have more questions.

http://www.ifahome.com/en/for_developer ... dienceID=1

I took a tour of both projects this week and they are pretty comparable as far as interior finishes are concerned. Court Avenue has the advantage of the balcony on some of the units, but Hubbell has the skywalk access.

[kgb1972]

The figure that I was given was $28,560 and that came from the manager of Hubbell. She also said that the ceiling is based on what you will earn in the next year. The manager from Court Ave. did not state any such stipulation. Has anyone gone through this process that can tell me for certain how they determine income eligibility?

I've already started looking for places that are not income restricted. As much as I like the location of Court Ave, I'm probably going to miss out because of the income ceiling. Vine Street here I come.

[kgb1972]

If I remember correctly, isn't there a huge apartment/condo/loft building at 3rd and Walnut?

[DMRyan]

See if the Kirkwood on 4th Street has any apartment openings as well.

I think it will be longer than 2 weeks out, but there are more apartments that will be opening up soon right on the corner of 4th & Court, right above the instantly popular Dos Rios restaurant.

While also income restricted, check into East Village Square over on the east side of the river.

[kgb1972]

Thanks Ryan - I have inquired about when MarketPlace will be moving people in, but haven't gotten a reply yet. I wouldn't be surprised if they have already got the place filled.

What is that tall building at 3rd and Walnut?

[Ingersoll1978]

I'm assuming your talking about The Plaza. It's a condominium building (although sometimes you can find someone renting their unit).

[kgb1972]

That's the one.

[4th&Court]

The Kirkwood is full to my knowledge. However, I think the first people to move in came in December and most came in the few months after that. It's likely that a good number of one-year leases are ending soon. That's not a short-term solution, but something to consider.

[kgb1972]

I've got an application in with vine street lofts. We'll see how that goes.

I hope this goes through.