Urbandale is accepting proposals from developers to purchase and build affordable apartments at the former EconoLodge at 10841 Douglas Ave.
Why it matters: A recent state designation recognizing cities that are improving workforce housing will make Urbandale’s project more likely to find developers, says Matt Hauge, spokesperson for Polk County Housing Trust Fund.
Flashback: The city of Urbandale bought the 2-acre site for $1.9 million in September 2024 “for blight remediation purposes.”
- One of the hotel’s three buildings had been significantly damaged by a fire last year.
- Polk County supervisors agreed to pay up to $500,000 to demolish the buildings.
State of play: In August, the state named Urbandale as one of its “Iowa Thriving Communities.” That designation helps bring attention to the project and improve its chances of receiving federal low-income housing credits from the state, says Curtis Brown, Urbandale’s assistant city manager…