The parking lot across from Des Moines City Hall in the East Village may finally be set for redevelopment, with a proposal for a five-story, mixed-use building.
The city selected a developer after putting out a call for proposals in December. Or, rather, developers. Gold Cap Development, Sidekick Development and Wade Investments teamed up on their concept for a residential and commercial project at 401 Robert D. Ray Drive that “provides the desired density, vibrancy and activation” needed for the neighborhood, city documents say.
The building would house 76 apartments with a mix of affordable and market-rate units. Angie Pfannkuch, president of Sidekick, anticipates multiple restaurant and retail spaces being available on the first floor, with just under 9,000 square feet of floor space up for grabs.
“This is a really good opportunity. There’s a ton of potential here for what is coming in that area of the East Village,” Pfannkuch said. “We’re excited to keep working on it.”
The 17,168-square-foot site sits near the east bank of the Des Moines River and south across Grand Avenue from Hubbell Realty Co.’s 16-acre Bridge District redevelopment.