The next big thing, or a million little improvements. It doesn’t matter how big or how small the idea, our hope is the ideas brought forth by our readers and community leaders provide the sparks to ignite the next round of cultural innovation and improvement in Greater Des Moines.

VENUE
Des Moines City or History Museum

A museum to encompass not only the past, but the present and future of our city.

“The museum would primarily focus on history, but could also include recent additions or awards. It could be a joint collaboration of of citizens, the City of Des Moines, Polk County, the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, etc.” 

Source: Pat Meiners, founding member of the Des Moines Historical Society
As seen in: St. Louis

 

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EVENT
Year-round Downtown Farmers Market

While suggestions ranged from keeping the market outdoors to bringing it inside, many want the Downtown Farmers Market to be a year-round event.

“We need to celebrate this part of our state’s heritage all the time!”

Source: Kate Byus, vice president of commercial real estate, R&R Realty

 

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ATTRACTION
Develop the Principal Riverwalk

Many want to see the Riverwalk developed to offer more dining and drinking options along the riverfront, provided by businesses with outdoor patios overlooking the water.

Others noted they would like to see the area used for concerts and crafts shows, and that city leaders could create a long-range plan to develop the Riverwalk.

As seen in: Baltimore, San Antonio

 

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VENUE
Aquarium

An aquarium, highlighting marine wildlife, could also be designed to include a restaurant and rental space so the community can take advantage of the colorful fish tanks.

It can be small, one respondent said, but it should be beautiful. Though Des Moines is far from any salt water, a river aquarium has been done before.

 

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VENUE
Children’s Museum

A children’s museum could include creative and explorative play, and interactive exhibits about Des Moines and the Midwest.

“The venue might also have art studios and a rooftop garden including a butterfly garden.”

Source: Nancy Bobo

As seen in: Madison, Chicago, Omaha

 

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ATTRACTION
Ferris wheel

At least two individuals want a ferris wheel in downtown Des Moines.

One respondent noted that on a recent visit to Atlanta, their group enjoyed the giant ferris wheel downtown. The attraction featured lights that lit up the night sky and included an audio tour and food.

As seen in: Atlanta, Georgia

 

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ATTRACTION
River activities

Remove the dams from the Des Moines River and develop it to allow for kayaking, tubing, riverboats and more.

As seen in: Eldora, IA; San Antonio

 

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ATTRACTION
Skate Park on the Riverwalk

Two respondents noted the need for a park dedicated to skateboarders.

 

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EVENT
Iowa Wine or Beer Stroll

Featuring local wineries, the stroll could be in a commercial area or along the river.

Source: Kathy Narum, managing partner, Forselles II Partners

 

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 ATTRACTION

Downtown restaurant district

Create a district for restaurants and shops somewhere downtown that’s similar to the Power & Light District in Kansas City. 

As seen in: Kansas City

 

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EVENT
Summer-long music festival

The event would be similar to Ravinia in Chicago, a music festival that hosts concerts every night of the week, in various genres, over a period of three months.

The venue could also become a huge flea market during the off-season, like ones seen in New York City and Los Angeles.

As seen in: Chicago

 

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VENUE
Multi-Cultural Museum

A museum to house artifacts from all cultures represented in Greater Des Moines.

 

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VENUE
Jazz club

Creat a small, intimate venue to host top names in jazz music.

As seen in: St. Paul (The dakota)

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EVENT 
Iowa Winter Festival

The event would celebrate Iowa’s notorious winter.

“The event would be complete with furs and fire, an ice sculpture competition, a champagne and vodka bar, great local chefs, and an amazing light show – all outside under the stars in February, beside our fabulous river, true Des Moines style.”

Source: Michelle Book, community and academic relations, DuPont Pioneer

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ATTRACTION
Tall building observatory

A tall building with a top floor open to the public where visitors can go to see the view of Greater Des Moines.

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ATTRACTION
Pop-up art, music and more

POP-UP art, POP-UP urbanism, POP-UP anything!

“I launched POP UP YOGA DSM because sometimes lack of accessibility is the main reason people don’t engage with the arts in Des Moines. If we bring the art, the culture, the music to the people, do you think they’ll come? We hope so.”

Source: Emily Boyd, neighborhood engagement coordinator, Community Housing Initiatives

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EVENT 
Armadillo Bazaar

Music, fine art and cold beer make the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar the place where Austin shops in the giving season. 

“The show is actually two events in one: an art fair and music festival with a vibrant community-driven vibe. Visitors can explore an amazing array of handmade items from 160-plus artists while enjoying live local music and sips from a full bar.”

Source: Julie Kunkle, office manager, NIA Optimum

As seen in: Austin, Texas

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TRANSPORTATION
Tram system

Establish a tram system that encompasses downtown, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Waukee, etc. and makes several stops along the way.

This would increase the use of public transportation and offer a park-and-ride option for commuters or for weekend outings downtown.

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ATTRACTION
Food tours

Showcase the outstanding restaurants in the city’s East Village and Western Gateway areas by creating a “food tour.”

Source: Deb Lyons, senior executive/legal secretary, SHAZAM Network

As seen in: Boston, Dallas, Washington D.C.

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VENUE
Combined arts, dining and music venue

Create a combined arts, dining and music venue similar to Stretch’s in Kansas City.

“Stretch is known in Des Moines for the Des Moines Color Field in the Davis Brown Tower, but in Kansas City he’s known for his restaurants Grinders East, Grinders West (connected by a window), the Crossroads KC outdoor concert venue, and his art workshop. It is such an awesome collaboration that Des Moines needs to have — with a brewery attached!”

Source: Marc Hollander, business and development coordinator, Whitfield & Eddy PLC

As seen in: Kansas City, Mo.

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VENUE
20,000 seat outdoor music venue

Build a music venue/band shell big and accessible enough for touring bands, orchestra or stage performances.

Source: Andy TeBockhorst, chief strategic communcations officer, United Way of Central Iowa

As seen in: Starlight, Kansas City

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VENUE
1,500-seat music venue

A mid-sized venue for bands, theater and other performances.

Source: Zack Mannheimer, executive director, Des Moines Social Club

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EVENT 
International festival or “World’s Fair in Des Moines”

One grand celebration of diversity that brings together all the different cultures that call Des Moines home, giving each an opportunity to learn about the others.

Source: Mary Sellers, president, United Way of Central Iowa

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VENUE
Des Moines Poet’s House

“Des Moines was for years the home of the National Poetry Festival. There is a lively poetry community and a need for this.

There is an existing Poet’s House in New York City. According to its website, ‘It is a comfortable, accessible place for poetry, as well as a library and meeting place which invites poets and the public to step into the living tradition of poetry. Poets House seeks to document the wealth and diversity of modern poetry, to stimulate dialogue on issues of poetry in culture, and to cultivate a wider audience for poetry.’ A Poet’s House in Des Moines might do all that, but document the wealth and diversity of Midwestern poetry.”

Source: Carmen Lampe Zeitler, executive director, Children and Family Urban Movement

As seen in: Poet’s House, New York City

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BUSINESS
Cat cafes

Cat cafes are popping up in New York, San Diego, Japan — why not Des Moines? 

“The business could partner with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa to help with their cat overpopulation and find these felines forever homes.”

Source: Janette Larkin, publisher, Business Publications Corp.

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ATTRACTION
Whitewater kayak park

Get rid of the dams downtown and build a kayak park. That would be a huge draw for boaters and viewers, some say.

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ATTRACTION
Exterior skywalk art

Cover the outside of the skywalks in murals created by local artists.

“The murals could celebrate local people/products/accomplishments, and it would support local artists and beautify downtown. If done right, people would come from all over the world to take pictures of our unique downtown. If people are walking around downtown taking pictures, then they’ll be more likely to stop in at downtown businesses and restaurants.”

Source: Andrea Metzler, travel coordinator, Real HQ

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ATTRACTION
Walk-only sections downtown

Convert segments of downtown streets (Court Avenue, East Village, etc.) to foot traffic only.

Source: Andy TeBockhorst, chief strategic communcations officer, United Way

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VENUE
More indoor sports facilities

A facility capable of hosting national and regional indoor track meets at all levels: juniors, college, open and masters competitions. 

Source: Martha Green, architect, JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem

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BUSINESS
Literary magazine

A local magazine featuring long-form essays about people and places in Greater Des Moines.

Source: Zack Mannheimer, executive director, Des Moines Social Club