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Des Moines, Iowa — Tuesday, June 29, 2026 —  The City of Des Moines has launched Restore the Core DSM, a new $7 million incentive program to support continued investment in downtown Des Moines and convert long-vacant ground-floor commercial spaces into active businesses and destinations.

Approved by the Des Moines City Council on Monday, June 8, the program offers 1:1 matching reimbursement grants for permanent improvements to return vacant street-level commercial spaces to productive use. Funding is provided by Metro Center Urban Renewal Area Tax Increment Financing.

Restore the Core DSM is a broader downtown initiative designed to support multiple initiatives over time. Ground Floor Activation is the first program launched under this framework.

“Downtown Des Moines is the economic engine of our city, a destination for visitors, and a growing neighborhood with more than 1,600 residential units currently under construction,” said Mayor Connie Boesen. “As more people live, work, and spend time downtown, active storefronts play an even greater role in daily life. Restore the Core DSM gives us another tool to fill vacant spaces, support local businesses, and incentivize the kinds of businesses that make downtown a stronger, more active, and more connected neighborhood and destination.”

Eligible properties must be within the Downtown Core Program Boundary and generally include ground-floor commercial spaces that have been vacant for at least 24 consecutive months.

“Downtown is functioning differently than it did even a few years ago,” said Carrie Kruse, City of Des Moines Economic Development Administrator. “For decades, the Central Business District was shaped largely around a predictable weekday office pattern. Today, we still have many office workers, but we also have more residents, visitors, events, and evening and weekend activities. That diversification is positive, but it also means many ground-floor spaces were built for a Downtown environment that no longer exists. In many cases, the issue is not a lack of interest. It is the cost of adapting older spaces for the businesses and uses that can serve Downtown today. Restore the Core DSM is a targeted response to that market reality.”

Eligible expenses include permanent improvements needed to prepare spaces for occupancy, such as interior buildout, building systems, storefront upgrades, accessibility improvements, and code compliance. Projects will undergo formal review and require City Council approval before funding is awarded. Eligible projects may receive grant awards of up to $200,000, subject to property status and program requirements.

The Restore the Core DSM: Ground Floor Activation Program guidelines and application information are available at DSM.city/restorethecoredsm.

Des Moines, Iowa — Thursday, June 11, 2026 —  The City of Des Moines is ready to move forward with a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of former Fire Station 4 at 917 University Avenue, following City Council approval on Monday, June 8.

The City is seeking qualified respondents with the experience, capacity, and vision to transform the former fire station into an active, community-focused, economically productive use along University Avenue. Once a developer is selected, the property is anticipated to be sold or transferred, although lease options may be considered.

This site was decommissioned after the City of Des Moines Fire Department moved into its new Station 4, approximately one mile to the northwest. Operations have ceased at the 917 University Avenue facility, allowing the City to begin determining the site’s next use.

“This is a rare opportunity to reposition a strong civic building in a highly visible location for continued public benefit,” said Breann Bye, Economic Development Project Manager for the City of Des Moines. “The City is seeking proposals that respect the building’s history, respond to community priorities, and bring new activity to the University Avenue corridor.”

The former Fire Station 4 is a one-story, 8,620-square-foot building constructed in 1959-1960. The property totals approximately three-quarters of an acre and is located within the River Bend Local Historic District. The site also has a layered civic history — once part of Nash Park, a neighborhood park established in 1901 and later reshaped by the widening and realignment of University Avenue. Fire Station 15, later consolidated and renamed Fire Station 4, opened at this location in 1960.

The RFP emphasizes preservation and adaptive reuse of the existing building, activation of the University Avenue corridor, neighborhood-serving economic activity, financial and operational feasibility, multimodal access, and long-term public benefit. The City is especially interested in proposals that generate regular activity, support surrounding neighborhoods, make creative use of the building’s spaces, and contribute to a more vibrant and accessible corridor.

Community input played a central role in shaping the RFP. The City hosted two public open houses in April 2026, attracting more than 100 attendees, and also received input through an online survey. Feedback showed strong interest in active, visible uses such as small-business and entrepreneurial spaces, food and beverage uses, flexible, community-oriented commercial space, childcare and family-serving services, recreation, wellness, youth-focused uses, and adaptive reuse of the existing building.

RFP responses are due by Thursday, December 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The City anticipates selecting a preferred developer in Winter/Early Spring 2027, subject to the quality and responsiveness of proposals received.

The full Request for Proposals is available at DSM.city/Station4RFP.

Des Moines, Iowa — Wednesday, July 16, 2025 — The City of Des Moines is now accepting proposals for the renovation and reuse of the historic Argonne Armory building, located at 602 Robert D. Ray Drive.

The City’s Office of Economic Development is seeking development proposals for this 45,308 square-foot building and adjacent parking lot, which is located near the Women of Achievement Bridge on the Des Moines Riverfront and in the thriving East Village Neighborhood of Downtown Des Moines.

“The chance to redevelop the Argonne Armory building represents a unique opportunity to continue the vibrant growth we’ve seen in the East Village neighborhood,” Mayor Connie Boesen remarked. “We look forward to working with interested developers to identify a proposal that will bring people to the downtown riverfront and the East Village.”

Built in 1934, the Armory was originally designed to play host to ten Iowa National Guard units and the Argonne post of the American Legion. It initially included a dining hall, kitchen, club room, gymnasium, and rifle range in the basement. The building was then converted to offices and administrative space for municipal purposes in 1976 and has served in this capacity ever since.

The City of Des Moines seeks creative development proposals for the future of this building and aims to secure a development project and partner for a flexible and creative adaptive reuse. As an active participant in Downtown development, the city has an interest in collaboration with development groups to understand proposed project scopes and to help ensure a successful project outcome.

Proposals are due on Friday, October 31, 2025. For more information and to download the full Request for Proposals, visit DSM.city/ArmoryRFP.