City Offices Closed In Observance Of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

What's Happening At Upcoming City Council Meetings

With the new Council seated last week, we’re already getting to work on some meaty issues! Over the next few months, the Council will begin developing its Strategic Plan (more to come on that), take a deep dive into the City’s long-range Financial Forecast and potential new revenue tools, and appoint Planning Commissioners.



If you’re ever interested in a preview of what’s coming up, be sure to check out the “Projected Future Agenda Items” link at the very end of each Council meeting agenda—right below the Zoom and YouTube links. Keep in mind that this is a living document and is updated regularly, so check back often!

King County Council District 5 Constituent Survey

King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain was recently elected to represent District 5, which includes Des Moines, SeaTac, Normandy Park, and parts of Kent, Renton, and Tukwila. Councilmember Fain is focused on affordability, safety, housing, transit, and essential services through transparent, accountable government and strong partnerships with cities and community organizations. Email, or call Steffanie today, 206.477.1005.

Please take a moment to complete the constituent survey linked and share your priorities.

Explore Des Moines Through Our Interactive Maps

The City of Des Moines offers a growing collection of interactive maps and downloadable resources on our website, making it easy to explore the community, understand how the city is organized, and see how it’s evolving:

• Address Viewer – Quickly look up addresses and property information across the city.
• Critical Areas Map – View environmentally sensitive areas that help guide responsible development.
• Development Activity Map – See where new projects and construction are happening in real time.
• GeoViewer – A powerful tool for exploring layers of geographic and city data.
• Parks and Recreation Map – Discover parks, trails, and recreational amenities citywide.
• Planning Map – Explore current zoning and planning designations.
• Police Map – Access law enforcement–related geographic information.
• Stormwater Infrastructure Map – Learn how stormwater is managed throughout the city.



In addition to interactive tools, the website also features helpful map PDFs, including a 2015 Aerial Image, Business Districts, City Annexations, and the Comprehensive Plan Map, which illustrates the City’s preferred land use designations. Together, these resources provide residents, businesses, and developers with an easy, visual way to better understand Des Moines—past, present, and future. You can check them all out on our website, link below!



Project Updates

Barnes Creek Trail – South 240^th - 16th Avenue S to 20th Avenue S Roadway Improvements

Ceccanti, Inc. is under contract to deliver the Barnes Creek Trail / South 240th Street Roadway Improvement Project, covering the segment from 16th Avenue South to 20th Avenue South. Early construction activities began December 15, 2025, and included tree removal, brush clearing, installation of silt fencing, and catch basin protection to prepare the site for full construction.

Major construction work is scheduled to begin in late January. Project improvements include installation of a new water main along South 240th Street with new service connections for nearby residents, construction of a joint utility trench to move Puget Sound Energy and Comcast lines underground, and underground connections to homes and businesses. Additional upgrades include new block retaining walls, sidewalks on both the north and south sides of the street to improve pedestrian access, a new King County Metro bus stop shelter, decorative roadway and pedestrian lighting to enhance safety, full roadway repaving, and new landscaping with irrigation.

To maintain a safe and efficient work zone, South 240th Street will be limited to local access only from mid-February through early August 2026. Access for pedestrians, residents, emergency responders, utilities, and postal services will be maintained at all times. A signed detour route will be in place, and the contractor will provide a dedicated traffic control supervisor and flaggers to coordinate access for impacted residents and businesses.

Please see the detour map below for affected routes. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as these important improvements move forward.

16th Avenue S Force Main Project

Midway Sewer District has started construction on the 16th Avenue South Force Main Project between Kent–Des Moines Road and South 252nd Street. Work is anticipated to continue through July 2026, and travelers should expect intermittent delays along 16th Avenue South during construction.

To complete critical sewer work at the North Twin Bridge, 16th Avenue South will be fully closed between South 250th Street and South 252nd Street from early April through mid-May. During this closure, through traffic will be detoured, and access for local residents and emergency services will be maintained as feasible.

Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes to help reduce travel disruptions.

Marina Dock Replacement Project

The Marina Dock Replacement Project continues to move forward with great momentum. Following completion of the M and N docks, the new L Dock has now been successfully floated into place, and installation is officially underway. Crews are actively securing the structure and beginning utility connections, keeping the project on track and bringing the Marina one step closer to completing L, M, and N dock upgrades.

Links to the live stream and time lapse footage below.

At the former Covenant Beach Bible Camp — now Des Moines Beach Park — there used to be a seaside swimming pool and bathhouse right on the beach! The pool was a popular gathering spot for campers and visitors in the early days, adding another layer of recreation to the park’s rich history. The pool eventually fell into disuse and was removed long ago.