Merle Hay Mall’s vacant office tower could become senior housing while its former theater could be demolished to make way for an outdoor plaza, redevelopment plans shared with Axios show.
Why it matters: The proposal would convert aging mall space into affordable senior housing and advance Merle Hay’s long-running shift toward a mixed-use destination.
Driving the news: Gratus Development is one of three finalists in a state competition for innovative affordable housing projects, with teams pitching their proposals Thursday.
- The winner could receive up to $14 million in federal housing tax credits over 10 years.
State of play: The plan would convert the building, 3850 Merle Hay Road, into 59 apartments for lower-income people who are 55 and older.
- Plans shared with Axios by Gratus development director Danielle Welsch Massey include a fitness and community space.
The intrigue: The former theater would become a plaza with greenspace and gathering areas — a nod to Merle Hay’s 1959 debut as the open-air Merle Hay Plaza.
- Residents would have a dedicated indoor entrance to the mall, putting groceries, dining, recreation, shopping and year-round walking just down the hall.
Context: The housing proposal comes as Merle Hay works to advance its long-delayed arena project after the Des Moines Buccaneers abandoned the original plan in 2024…