Dear Des Moines,

I’m not sure I can recall a more pleasant autumn than the one we’re having right now. While we’re in desperate need of rain, the dry weather has produced brilliant fall colors – it should make each of us appreciative of Des Moines extensive tree canopy and our City’s commitment to forestry. Please make sure you get outdoors and take advantage of our pleasant days and comfortable evenings in the weeks ahead, they’ll be fleeting before you know it.

Shorter days and cooler nights mark our Midwest progression into fall – it’s also a busy time for the City. I’ve captured some of those moments for this month’s newsletter. I appreciate you subscribing and encourage you to share this with others: DSM.city/MayorsMonthly.

Sweet Smell of Success: Putting a Lid on Odor

For decades, Des Moines has had a recurring issue with odor – a problem stemming from the City’s ag sector in the southeast part of town. These odors were often exacerbated by weather such as thermal inversion or prevailing winds creating a stinky smell for residents, businesses and visitors. That’s why I was encouraged this week with the council update on our efforts to address nuisance odors.

Here’s what we heard: This is a quality of life, NOT a public health issue, and our policy decisions to address the stink are driven by data. What has been a successful turning point is the accountability and collaboration from those industries and businesses in the area. Two of them invested nearly $5 million into their facilities to improve their odor control operation.

This has been a priority issue for us and I’m confident that we’re starting to see some real progress. You can view the entire presentation for yourself by clicking here.

Life Services Center Delivers Hope

I was so proud this week to take part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Life Services Center, a first-of-its-kind facility that will deliver transformational benefits to our community for many years to come. This is the only sobering center in Polk County and will house a psychiatric urgent care center while providing crisis intervention services for those with mental health emergencies. A lot of people at the city, county and federal level worked to make this facility at 19th and Carpenter a reality. For me it comes down to this – the Life Services Center stands for the hope and services a person needs during their darkest days and provides the opportunity to move forward in a new direction. The Life Services Center will open to the public in November.

Steps Taken to Bolster Affordable Housing

Affordable housing for a growing workforce is a significant challenge facing metro communities over the next decade. Well, here’s some welcomed news on that front: Des Moines is one step closer to having a new board that will work to increase the supply of affordable housing in our city and surrounding communities. It’s called the Community Land Trust (CLT) and, as a not-for-profit, will provide a supply of affordable housing for residents with low to moderate incomes and strengthen and preserve neighborhoods. For community members wanting updates from the City on CLT progress or to share ways you can support the initiative, you can sign up on our website at DSM.city/CLT or call 515-283-4778.

WANTED: Partners for Historic Preservation Effort

One of the greater economic development success stories in Des Moines the last 4-5 years has been the revitalization of the Highland Park Business District. The newest effort will take us back to the city’s oldest roots, the Highland Park Odd Fellows Hall built 117 years ago at 2nd Avenue and Euclid. The acquisition of 200 Euclid is an incredible opportunity for us to step in at a defining moment in the life of this historic building and ensure it will survive as a neighborhood asset for generations to come. Right now, we’re looking for creative proposals from developers that align with historic preservation standards and return the exterior to a more historically appropriate condition. Proposals may be submitted by a single developer or a team of developers. Proposals are due Nov. 25 and should include a mix of commercial and residential users. For more info, go here. 

City Offers Loans for Small Businesses

As a longtime small business owner in Des Moines, I know the value of being able to invest in your own company. That’s why the City Council and I this month committed $100,000 to help small business owners over the coming year. The Small Business Impact Loan Program is designed to provide targeted financial assistance for small businesses that are ready to launch or expand but face barriers to accessing traditional lending sources. These small-dollar, short-term loans have minimum loan amounts of $5,000 and a maximum loan of $20,000.

We're looking for small businesses with solid business plans who are eager to grow in Des Moines. If this sounds like you, go here. to learn more about the initiative, download program documents and contact our staff with any questions.

Major McTaggart Chosen as Next Chief of Police

I’m really looking forward to working with our new Chief of Police, Major Mike McTaggart, who will assume command in the coming weeks. Finding the right person to lead DMPD into the future has been a top priority since we learned of Chief Wingert’s retirement. The law enforcement field is evolving rapidly, which is why we need a leader who is able to adapt and keep DMPD on the cutting edge of law enforcement.

McTaggart’s time with the City also includes implementing and growing the C.A.R.E. and Mobile Crisis Response Team and spearheading the downtown safety plan. Both are tremendously successful and have been priorities of mine as a council member and mayor.

Mural Dedication - Evelyn K. Davis Park

There’s a very special event coming up at Evelyn K. Davis Park on Saturday when Des Moines Parks and Recreation hosts a dedication ceremony to celebrate court upgrades and the completion of the Growth Culture basketball court mural. This community-centered project was designed to foster positive recreation opportunities for local youth and families and create a space for meaningful engagement in one of the most used parks in the city.

The mural, designed by local artist Jill Wells and produced by Project Backboard, represents community, culture, and growth. View the time lapse video of this effort and you’ll get a sense of what this effort is all about. And a big thanks to Bravo Greater Des Moines, Friends of Des Moines Parks, and the Griswell Family. The dedication ceremony is this Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8:30 a.m. at Evelyn K. Davis Park, 1400 Forest Avenue.

Beggar's Night in Des Moines

In less than a week, tiny ghouls and goblins will invade our neighborhoods, knock on doors and tell corny jokes as Beggars’ Night, a tradition unique to the metro comes calling. Beggars’ Night began roughly 80 years ago as a safe alternative to Halloween. In Des Moines, Beggars Night is Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6-8 p.m. This year, some communities moved Beggars’ Night to the Saturday before Halloween in an effort to steer trick or treating away from a school night. Des Moines will conduct a post-Halloween survey to see if that’s something we should consider. Please let me know what you think. 

I invite you to stay connected and engaged with your City government and your fellow residents. Together, we can make Des Moines the best place to live, work, and play.

Thank you for your trust and your partnership. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you around Des Moines.

Sincerely,

Connie Boesen, Mayor of Des Moines