A showcase of public sector organizations and projects, past, present, and future
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$1.938 Billion!
That’s the projected value of the Central Iowa projects to be showcased at the celebration, made possible through public-private partnerships.
Also take a look at the return on the area’s investment made in the Des Moines Area Community College and at Prairie Meadows – one of only two non-profit casinos in the nation.
- Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium: Pro Iowa is aiming to bring a USL Championship club to Des Moines, with the soccer-specific stadium that would become the club’s home set to be the centerpiece of a 65-acre, $535 million overall development.
- Central Iowa Water Trails: In 2012 voters approved a $50 million, 20-year “Water and Land Legacy Bond.” In November, voters will be asked to back another 20-year, $65 million bond referendum for creating new water trails, improving other recreational opportunities and parks, better protecting drinking water and preventing future flooding.
- The Market District: Infrastructure improvements are underway on streets and sewers in a 39-acre portion of the Market District just south of the East Village, kicking off the overall $750 million project. Market District plans include amphitheater, hotel, apartments, and condos.
- Merle Hay Mall Campus: The redevelopment of the mall’s dual-city campus will be home to the Des Moines Buccaneers. The cities of Urbandale and Des Moines, along with Polk County, Merle Hay Mall, and the Des Moines Buccaneers have been working on the $128 million redevelopment project that will include a 3,500-seat arena for the Bucs that could also be used as an event center, a training facility with additional sheets of ice, and a 150-room hotel.
- Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino: In the early 1980s, a vision was created that would help Iowa’s agricultural community, spur economic development and job growth in central Iowa, and create a dynamic entertainment venue that would attract visitors from all over the Midwest. It was Prairie Meadows. Later, in 1989, the Polk County Board of Supervisors and Prairie Meadows joined forces to become one of only two nonprofit casinos in the U.S. Since then, an average of more than $27 million per year has been distributed to support vital arts, culture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure initiatives across central Iowa.
- Des Moines Area Community College: Started on March 18, 1966, as a vocational and technical learning center in metro Des Moines, today DMACC’s footprint totals 2,300,000 sq. ft., among 62 buildings, on 6 campuses and 6 learning centers across central Iowa. Last year DMACC served 36,961 credit students and 35,369 noncredit students in 26 fully accredited programs and 200+ career programs, certificates, and technical programs.
- Des Moines International Airport – New Terminal Plan: In 2013, the Des Moines Airport Authority embarked on the process to develop a new terminal, replacing the existing facility built in 1948 that has reached the end of its useful economic life. The Program Definition Manual of May 25, 2018, includes a “Rough Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate” of $431,990,016.
- Des Moines Industrial – Transload Facility: Established in 2019 as a private company to develop, own and operate a rail-based logistics terminal for 3rd party clients, Des Moines Industrial (DSMI) is developing a 40 acre, $28M facility with the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Iowa Department of Transportation and the City of Des Moines.