Construction of a nearly $7.1 million mass timber townhome project near Drake University could begin next year.
Why it matters: It would be among the city’s first townhome developments to use the building method that relies on engineered wood rather than steel and concrete, Molly Cutler of Cutler Development tells Axios.
Driving the news: The Des Moines City Council last month approved a $640,000 preliminary award to the project at 3125 Kingman Blvd.
- It’s being co-developed by Cutler and the nonprofit Home Inc. on land owned by Invest DSM.
Zoom in: Mass timber is glued and pressed in specialized ways to make it comparable in strength to concrete and steel.
- It’s lighter than concrete, is designed to meet strict fire-resistance standards and can add aesthetic appeal to people who like exposed wood.
- International building code changes in recent years have allowed the material to be used in increasingly larger projects.
State of play: Cutler has used mass timber in multiple metro projects, including Star Lofts and in the ongoing construction of Goldfinch Lofts, both along Ingersoll Avenue…