The following is a look at development projects planned in the Des Moines area. The projects, broken down by city, include both new developments and updates or expansions to existing facilities.

Altoona
• The City Council this week approved the third reading of an ordinance amendment that allows an automobile dealership to locate in Prairie Crossing, a mixed-use development that includes the Outlets of Des Moines, Bass Pro Shops, restaurants and hotels. The amendment allows the sale of both new and used vehicles that weigh 9,900 pounds or less. The dealership is proposed on the west side of Bass Pro Drive Northwest. An on-ramp to Interstate Highway 80 borders the western edge of the parcel. Officials with Gurley Leep Automotive Family plan to develop an auto dealership on the 14.3-acre parcel, which is undeveloped. According to a city document, about half of the 14 acres would include a Honda dealership. A Jeep dealership could be built on other half of the parcel in the future, city documents show.

• A 20,195-square-foot memory care facility – Maggie’s Place at Prairie Vista Village – is planned on 2.12 acres at 2671 First Ave. South. The developer is CCRC of Altoona LLC. The one-story facility would include 32 assisted living units. The council this week approved the site plan for the project.

Waukee

• The Waukee school district plans to build a 62,350-square-foot aquatics facility (rendering by RDG Planning and Design at right) at 1655 N.W. Douglas Parkway. The facility, called a natatorium, will be used by the school district’s aquatics programs. The district plans to put the project out to bid yet this year and the facility is expected to be open by August 2023, according to city documents. The facility will also be used by the school district’s community education programs. Architectural drawings show the building will include two swimming pools – one with nine lanes and a smaller pool. The facility will include locker rooms and restrooms. The City Council this week approved the project’s site plan.

• A 23,400-square-foot building for contractor storage is planned on 1.5 acres at 35 N.E. Venture Drive. The project is proposed by M&A Capital Partners LLC. The building, which would include 20 bays with overhead doors, would be constructed with steel and brick. The council approved the site plan this week.

West Des Moines
• An apartment complex called the Reserve with four four-story buildings is planned on the north side of Village View Drive between South 60th Street and South 64th Street. A total of 232 units would be in the complex. The property has sat undeveloped for at least 15 years. Neighbors asked the council to deny the zoning change because the development would be like “putting the population of a small town on a long city block.” The City Council this week approved the third reading of an ordinance amendment that changes the land use on the 14-acre tract to high-density residential from office.

• A Fareway grocery store is planned on nearly 6 acres on the southeast corner of Mills Civic Parkway and South 91st Street. The Boone-based grocer bought the land earlier this month. The company has asked that the land be rezoned to allow construction of a store. At least one neighbor opposed the rezoning, citing concerns about increased traffic in the area. Traffic in the area is expected to be higher during the average weekday and afternoon rush hours. The council this week approved the first reading of the proposed ordinance amendment that would allow construction of the grocery store. Two more readings of the proposed ordinance amendment are required.

• The first of at least five Microsoft Corp. data center buildings is planned at Ginger East, a nearly 149-acre site east of Veterans Parkway at Southeast Maffitt Lake Road. The 250,000-square-foot building will look similar to other data centers constructed in West Des Moines, according to a city document. The city, as part of a development agreement with Microsoft, will pave and rebuild Southeast County Line Road from Southeast Soteria Avenue to Veterans Parkway. A pedestrian underpass along the Great Western Trail is planned at County Line Road, according to a city document. In addition, Microsoft will remove the portion of Southeast Maffitt Lake Road that is between Veterans Parkway and Southeast Soteria Avenue. The council approved the site plan for the data center building.