You haven’t seen the last of the Court Avenue Entertainment Zone, at least through the end of the month.
The Des Moines City Council voted Monday to allocate an additional $15,000 to extend the Court Avenue Entertainment District through the end of September.
Polk County’s Board of Supervisors was set to consider the same measure at its board meeting Tuesday morning; if approved, a total of $30,000 in additional funding would be allocated toward the entertainment zone.
The fenced-off entertainment zone, which cuts off vehicular traffic in the busy bar and restaurant area, was only supposed to last through Labor Day weekend. But according to a previous interview with Polk County Supervisor Tom Hockensmith, businesses in the zone want to extend it.
More: Downtown Des Moines’ Court Avenue pedestrian-only entertainment zone may be extended
He said there’s been a push from business owners who want to capitalize on the nice weather, with a request to keep the fencing up through the fall.
According to Des Moines city spokesperson, Al Setka, the funding will go directly toward the cost of fencing and the private security that staffs the zone on the weekends.
The concept started as a way to “provide a safe and fun environment for Iowans to enjoy a night out on the town.” It also was a security measure — extra security cameras were added there after a pair of shootings in April that left five people wounded.
Data provided by the Des Moines Police Department shows a slight decline in calls for service in the area served by the entertainment zone. Calls for service don’t indicate actual crimes, and the data could also represent multiple calls for one crime or incident.
Data from May 21 through Sept. 6 shows the entertainment zone has had 54 calls for service, down from 61 for the same period in 2020 and 73 for the same period in 2019.
Sale of Des Moines Social Club is official
The city council also voted to finalize the $3.1 million sale of the Des Moines Social Club, formally the Old Central Fire Station No. 1, to Kansas City-based developer Matt Abbott.
Abbott’s plans for the space include a $3.5 million renovation on the first floor of the main building, which will be used for retail and commercial space, and the second floor as an upscale event space, according to a news release. It said the courtyard would be used for outdoor events, and the Kum & Go Theater Building would be transformed into a “boutique speakeasy concept.”
The sale also marks the first time in its history that the former fire station will be taxed, which city councilmember Josh Mandelbaum praised at Monday night’s meeting.
Before voting to approve the sale, Mandelbaum added a provision to the agenda item that would require Abbott to meet with adjacent residential properties to discuss the proposed development and his plans to operate the venue.
“Those topics can include but are not limited to hours of operation, security, lighting, parking,” Mandelbaum said. “I think that will help continue moving that process forward in a way that is constructive for everyone and will lead to the best long-term result.”
More: Des Moines Social Club buyer to spend $3.5 million on renovations, plans speakeasy, coffee shop
Expansion of food truck operations in Des Moines
Food trucks in Des Moines will now have an expanded option for operating locations — thanks to an amendment to Chapter 78 of city code.
Previously, food trucks were only allowed to operate in various street locations where metered parking was available. Councilmen Joe Gatto and Carl Voss said at an August council meeting that the restriction posed an issue for special events taking place at venues that lacked metered parking.
Under the new amendment, food vendors will be allowed to vend on public streets in commercial or mixed-use locations with an approved private event mobile vending permit.
Des Moines Register Development Reporter Kim Norvell contributed to this report.
Melody Mercado covers the eastern Des Moines metro for the Register. Reach her at mmercado@registermedia.com or Twitter @melodymercadotv.
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