DES MOINES SPECIAL INVESTMENT DISTRICT PLANNING

Des Moines, IA

How can Des Moines spark revitalization in specific neighborhoods? 

SUMMARY

Following czb's review of existing neighborhood revitalization efforts in Des Moines and recommendations for changes, the City asked us to prepare four new neighborhood plans that would implement the ideas in the revised citywide neighborhood strategy and become models for a new way of neighborhood planning. Each of the plans was focused on an area that would be dubbed a Special Investment District (SID), and the planned activities included resident leadership development, neighborhood brand strengthening, and strategic housing and capital improvements. 

The planning processes happened in parallel with the design and establishment of a nonprofit called Invest DSM that would lead the revitalization work in the four SID plans. Invest DSM opened its doors in 2019 with a commitment of $50M in funding from the City of Des Moines and Polk County.

In the summer of 2024, Invest DSM invited czb back to craft plans for two new SIDs that will join the four original areas. SID plans for Union Park and North of Grand/Woodland Heights were underway by mid-summer 2024 and will be completed by early 2025.

Focusing on Middle Neighborhoods 

Des Moines has deliberately chosen a "middle neighborhoods" approach, in which resources are strategically allocated to areas that are both vulnerable to decline but still recoverable. 

Middle neighborhoods are gaining renewed interest as cities seek to use scarce resources wisely when it comes to stabilizing housing markets and tax bases.

FROM THE INVEST DSM WEBSITE:

"Invest DSM is a unique collaboration between Des Moines and Polk County, bringing a renewed commitment to neighborhood revitalization in the city. Invest DSM is a pivotal piece of that in neighborhood revitalization. Invest DSM has a small staff dedicated to working in four pilot neighborhoods known as Special Investment Districts (SIDs). The team will coordinate activities, cultivate partnerships, recommend projects to fund, ensure quality design and construction, and build resident leadership capacity."

Post-Project Impacts

Invest DSM

Invest DSM was created to support revitalization in four neighborhoods. 

In its first year, Invest DSM:

  • Organized neighborhood improvement efforts through Block Challenge projects in each neighborhood. 240 neighbors worked together in small groups to jointly make improvements to their properties and invested a total of $1.1 million.
  • Provided loan funds to homeowners for 19 large renovation projects.
  • Began real estate development activities meant to strengthen the market in the four neighborhoods. 18 properties were acquired for rehab or demolition.


FROM THE INVEST DSM WEBSITE:

"Invest DSM is a unique collaboration between Des Moines and Polk County, bringing a renewed commitment to neighborhood revitalization in the city. Invest DSM is a pivotal piece of that in neighborhood revitalization. Invest DSM has a small staff dedicated to working in four pilot neighborhoods known as Special Investment Districts (SIDs). The team will coordinate activities, cultivate partnerships, recommend projects to fund, ensure quality design and construction, and build resident leadership capacity."

"This is the catalyst to redeveloping the whole city." 

- Connie Boesen | Des Moines City Council


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