Court Avenue Development Efforts

[Ingersoll1978]

A $50 million entertainment development proposed by AMC Theaters fell apart because the city refused to allow a skywalk to be built over Court Avenue.

This project never had a skywalk over Court Avenue (the one it directly was competing with did). That was a primary reason is was selected between the proposals.

[butters]

If I remember correctly, the Court Avenue Station project fell through because the developer was not able to secure tenants for the building within the timeline wanted by the city...

[AnotherDMer]

The reason I remember Court Avenue Station falling apart was the planned Barnes and Noble not happening, when the city insisted a book store be part of the project. Apparently, the city then sat on the project for a long time, and eventually the developer gave up since there was no progress. It's been a few years now so I really can't remember for sure, but I remember the book store being the main sticking point and the city dragging its feet being what finally killed it. I remember thinking the whole failure was ridiculous and something that didn't need to happen.

[Ingersoll1978]

The reason I remember Court Avenue Station falling apart was the planned Barnes and Noble not happening, when the city insisted a book store be part of the project. Apparently, the city then sat on the project for a long time, and eventually the developer gave up since there was no progress. It's been a few years now so I really can't remember for sure, but I remember the book store being the main sticking point and the city dragging its feet being what finally killed it. I remember thinking the whole failure was ridiculous and something that didn't need to happen.

I thought it was the pull out of AMC Theaters?

[dogbo]

Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

As I recall it, the main tenant & draw - the 20 screen AMC Theater - was having financial difficulties and backed out leaving a huge hole in the project that pretty much spelled its demise. After this, all the other conditional commitments started dropping out. Prior to AMC's problems, I don't believe the project had any trouble lining up interested tenants.

[dogbo]

Warning -- Strictly rumor mill material here.

According to one of the employees of the downtown Legends I was chatting with Saturday night, the person who bought the Judge Roy Bean’s building is the same guy who owns Legends. He said he thought that one of the possibilities he was considering was to put in a Fireside Creek Restaurant/bar (same thing he has at 50th and George Mills Pkwy). Another possibility was more of a nightclub/bar that catered to the “older crowd”. (ie…think Denny Arthur’s).

Regardless, I hope they utilize the upper floor and extend out some type of balcony.

[SFO2DSM]

Was the building sold? The assessor site doesn't show it yet, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

[dogbo]

Was the building sold? The assessor site doesn't show it yet, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

It is in reference to this:

Judge Roy Bean’s on Court Ave. closing
By PATT JOHNSON • REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER • March 31, 2008

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Business at Judge Roy Bean’s Eatin & Drinkin Emporium on Court Avenue downtown will adjourn for good April 12.

Restaurant owners Pam and Jeff Baker are selling the business after operating there for 26 years.

The couple will retain part ownership of the two story building at 210 Court Avenue.


The building will be renovated and reopen under new ownership, said Pam Baker.

“We’re going to miss this,” Baker said. “Court Avenue is changing. There is a younger crowd now and the building needs a face-lift. We needed to change with the times. This was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

The Bakers will continue their catering business, Judge’s Signature Catering, out of the cafe they operate at the Iowa Heart Center in West Des Moines.

Baker declined to say who would be a partner in the building and the new restaurant operator.

Reporter Patt Johnson can be reached at (515) 284-8367 or pjohnson@dmreg.com

[DMRyan]

Sbrocco, the wine bar and restaurant opens Tuesday in the spot of the short-lived Court Avenue grocery store.

From the Register:

Sbrocco opens on Court Avenue Tuesday

Sbrocco, the new bar and restaurant from those people who brought us Buzzard Billy's, el Bait Shop, Hessen Haus, High Life Lounge, the Royal Mile and the Red Monk, opens Tuesday at 208 Court Ave. in Des Moines.

Sbrocco will serve dinner for now and lunch will be added later. Sbrocco, named after the family who had a business in that location many years ago, is being touted as a wine-centric business with restaurant, bar and retail wine and cheese shop. The wine bar offers 42 wines by the 6-ounce glass or flight and 120 wines by the bottle.

The restaurant will serve fresh, local, organic and seasonal ingredients in food prepared by Chef Darin Sturgill. Dinner is served 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

The wine shop is on the lower level with a selection of 1,000 varieties of wine. Take one upstairs for dinner, but expect to pya a corkage fee. The cellar will host a wine tasting from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and on Saturdays during the Farmers Market.

[Philby]

Weird that it opens on Tuesday since it was open friday night although I don't know if they were serving food. We checked it out and it was very cool inside...I think the guy who owns archetectural salvage has some involvement in this bar because he was there and talking about how he decorated it etc. I think this place will be very successful, plus they have a cool neon sign!

[NOG]

Sbrocco, the wine bar and restaurant opens Tuesday in the spot of the short-lived Court Avenue grocery store.

Sadly these guys got over two feet of water in their store. They were clearing everything out and loading it into a truck as we walked by after lunch today. Buzzards Billy's looks to have not fared any better also.

[dogbo]

Basement...not the main floor. correct?

[NOG]

Basement. I guess that would be Shorty's although they were bringing out box after box of wine.

[Philby]

Basement. I guess that would be Shorty's although they were bringing out box after box of wine.

I'm sure most of the wine for Sbrocco is stored downstairs so they were probably moving that along with all the wine from the wine store that's in the other half of the basement.

Hopefully the street level didn't flood because there is probably a lot of newly installed furniture and kitchen stuff being they were just opening.

[DMRyan]

It looks like the new streetscape freshening up of Court Avenue is just about wrapped up. I hate to say it, but I actually liked the old light poles better than the modern replacement. The rest of the project looks good. It's not a dramatic overhaul, but just a modernization and filing in of what was already there. Hopefully, the same can be done of Walnut Street some day. Simply painting those faded red light poles, bus shelters and traffic lights to black would make a big difference for much less of a price. The fixtures aren't really all that bad if they find something else besides globe lights to install.

In other Court Avenue news, the facade of the old Judge Roy Bean's has been ripped off, hopefully in preparation for whatever will replace it.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

[DMRyan]

Can't comment on downtown afterhours, but it looks just like normal during the day, only with a few more sandbags laying around. I'm sure the best weather we've had all damn year could be helping out too.

[Ingersoll1978]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

I was down there last night...and there were people at the restaurants and bars (especially the patios). Johnny's isn't currently serving food...so we walked over to Raccoon Brew Pub (hoping we would find patio seating...which was full). We ate inside around 8 pm...and it wasn't busy. We walked back to High Life...and there wasn't anyone in there. It probably had more to do with it being a Monday night. It didn't appear that they substained any damage. Downtown just needs to get the message out that they are open...quickly!

[Better Life dude]

I like the new Court Ave. street lights. I have not been down there at night when they are on. The old 19th century lights were horrific looking. It alos seems as if there are more trees planted now on Court Ave. It seems like the Court Ave. makeover took about a week whereas the Ingersoll makeover seems like its taking a lifetime.

One other note: I like that with the farmers market on Saturdays, the vendors are now on the street and not on the sidewalks - much better for pedestrians.

[Ankeny Husker Freak]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

I was down there last night...and there were people at the restaurants and bars (especially the patios). Johnny's isn't currently serving food...so we walked over to Raccoon Brew Pub (hoping we would find patio seating...which was full). We ate inside around 8 pm...and it wasn't busy. We walked back to High Life...and there wasn't anyone in there. It probably had more to do with it being a Monday night. It didn't appear that they substained any damage. Downtown just needs to get the message out that they are open...quickly!

Sounds like the message had already been received

[cdub]

What has downtown traffic been like since the evcuation order was lifted? I sure hope that evcuation order doesn't scare people off in the future.

I was down there last night...and there were people at the restaurants and bars (especially the patios). Johnny's isn't currently serving food...so we walked over to Raccoon Brew Pub (hoping we would find patio seating...which was full). We ate inside around 8 pm...and it wasn't busy.

I assume you meant Court Avenue Brewery?

So did any of the buildings suffer flood damage above basement level?

[DMRyan]

Not really. The sewer manholes popped on the street, flooding about 2 ft. or less of a section of Court Avenue. The city had it cleaned up with pumps and vac trucks within 3 hours.

[Ingersoll1978]

I assume you meant Court Avenue Brewery?

So did any of the buildings suffer flood damage above basement level?

Nope...Court Ave Brewery's patio was full. We walked over to Raccoon River Brewery (it took less than 10 minutes).

I didn't notice any damage on the ground floor.

[DMRyan]

Several Register articles now hinting that Buzzard Billy's won't reopen. Somebody needs to move into that space, get the proper flood insurance, and utilize one of Des Moines' best patio areas!

Hopefully Buzzard Billy's can relocate to higher land in another building on Court Avenue or in the area.

[Better Life dude]

Buzzard Billys had excellent cajun food and a great patio.

[4th&Court]

I like the new lights, mostly because they freshen up the look of Court (and don't forget 4th, they did that too) and you actually notice them now. The old ones didn't produce much light. These new ones shine bright and have a wide spectrum.

[wmjindsm]

There is a spot on E. Locust by the East Village books that I thought would be a good spot for a restaurant.

Sbrocco makes its debut, Buzzard Billy's gone for now

Posted 6/19/2008 5:53 PM CDT on Des Moines Register

Sbrocco restaurant at 208 Court Ave. in Des Moines got the go-ahead to open the doors today. It was originally going to begin business Tuesday of last week, but flooding of Court Avenue delayed it.

Shorty's lounge and the wine and cheese cafe on the lower level were totaled by flood waters and they are closed for now. The area is being gutted and rebuilt, said Melinda Toyne, the spokeswoman for Full Court Press, owners of the business.

The restaurant will serve a limited menu for the next week or so for dinners only, Toyne said. A more complete menu and lunch will be added at a later date.

Wine tastings will be on Saturdays during the Farmers Market beginning this weekend and from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays.

As for Buzzard Billy's at 100 Court Ave., it was pretty much wiped out by the flood waters on Court Avenue. The restaurant is out of commission indefinitely and it likely will not be resurrected in that location, Toyne said. Plans for another site haven't been announced yet.


Sbrocco’s hours for now are 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. See http://www.sbroccowine.com or call 282-3663.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/p ... ersonaDest

[dogbo]

I hope they bring Buzzard Billy's back. I’m sure they are just a bit discouraged at the moment. Let's not forget that within the last year they took a sizeable hit on their failed grocery store. That, and the flood, has to be both an emotional and financial stress within their organization.

I would be surprised if another restaurant doesn't go in where Buzzards Billy's was. That patio is a gold mine as it is usable much more than the typical restaurant patio because it is somewhat protected against wind and also hot sunny days. That said, I don't know how flood insurance works, but I'm sure a big drawback will be the rates an establishment would have to pay to go into a space that has lost its last two successful restaurants due to floods.

I would also expect to see Buzzard Billy's re-open in a different location. They always seemed to do a good business. I bet the Full court boys finding an interesting location somewhere around downtown to transform into yet another successful venture. NOTE: IMO, I can't see them going into that space next to EV Books. It is too much of a clean/polished look from the outside. It doesn't say "Buzzard Billy's to me.

[Better Life dude]

If I were the Full Court press guys going forward I would make my restaurants and bars a little more spread out around the downtown area in order to spread their risk around also. Risk can come from flood, fire and "trendiness" or "hipness" of a particular district. Having so much down around Court Ave exposes them to more risk than is necessary. I know they own a bar in the East Village - perhaps they could re-open a place in the E.V. with the Buzzard Billys food and "crappy beer nights". Somewhere in the western Gateway area would be good too or on Ingersoll.

A real life example I would use is Darin Beck, owner of the Barmuda chain in Cedar Falls. He must own and manage well over a dozen bars, restaurants and clubs all over the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area - but they are diversified in location: in downtown Cedar Falls, College Hill in Cedar Falls, University Ave. in Cedar Falls, on the southern end of Cedar Falls, and in downtown Waterloo. Like the Full Court Press guys - each location has a theme - but no two are alike. Beck also has diversified inot different types of age groups and interests for his customers - from college kids to baby boomers.

[Young DSM Social Club]

Glad Shortys is coming back.

Sad about Buzzard Billys. Although, to be honest, while I liked the food I always found it to be a pretty dirty place, so a new location elsewhere (with new tables, etc.) might be a big plus!