A new Subway restaurant that opened across from the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in the Western Gateway is generating a variety of opinions. Some are happy to see growth and a new inexpensive lunch option, but others worry that the chain restaurant isn’t ideal for the surroundings. Both Jeff Fleming, director of the Des Moines Art Center, and Art Slusark, spokesman for park neighbor Meredith Corp., took issue with aesthetic nature of Subway’s neon signage in a recent Des Moines Register article; property manager Rich Eychaner defended the location.

The results from 90 respondents in our unscientific poll were split nearly in thirds, with “bad for the area” just barely winning by four votes.

Bad for the Area: 38.9% – 35 votes
Good for the Area: 34.4% – 31 votes
I see pluses and minuses: 26.7% – 24 votes

Below is a sampling of the responses: Click here to view all the responses and feel free to comment on this story with your own opinion.

Bad for the Area:

The bright yellow trade dress is tacky and unsightly – especially right across the street from our sculpture park.
– Paul Weeks, CBRE Hubbell Commercial
via Business Record Poll

An operational, tax-paying business is better than an empty building. That said, it seems unfortunate the most interesting tenant we were able to attract to a space facing a world-class sculpture park is a fast-food chain – a chain that already has two locations within walking distance for many in the area. I hope the Subway and its loud, crass visual branding becomes an exception in future development of Western Gateway and not the norm. I also hope workers and residents nearby choose to spend their dollars at the wide variety of local options including A Dong, Flour, Ritual Cafe, Americana, Proof, Centro, South Union and others.
– @scottrocketship
via Business Record Poll

What I like about downtown Des Moines – Western Gateway, East Village, etc. – is that it is different from the suburbs, not all chain stores and restaurants. So while it is good to see that another business has confidence that they can make money in downtown Des Moines, I’d prefer that an independent small business owner open a sandwich shop, than another chain.
– Anonymous
via Business Record poll

I have nothing against Subway as an institution, but I think aesthetically it is entirely out of place. My hope is that something can be done with the signage to at least make it more appropriate for the neighborhood.
– Jeff Fleming, Art Center Director
via Des Moines Register article

The city needs to enact building codes much like West Des Moines did in the Jordan Creek area and the city of Des Moines did in the East Village. The sculpture park and Western Gateway area could be a cultural and national treasure. Instead, the surrounding real estate is obviously going to the lowest bidder. This is a disgrace!
– Anonymous
via Business Record poll

It is terrible for the area!  Zoning laws need to be in place surrounding all the millions of dollars of art in the Western Gateway.  Very tacky!  People shouldn’t have a glowing Subway sign in their photo of the Nomad.  It needs to go!
– Anonymous
via Business Record poll

Good for the Area:

We need to get folks out of their offices and comfortable walking at street level to continue to grow retail and restaurant offerings downtown.
– John Bergman, Terrus Real Estate Group
via Business Record Poll

First, it’s a new business on an otherwise rundown strip of Grand (did you not see the building that was there?). Second, it’s new business downtown. We’ve seen too many businesses move out of our great downtown area, so it’s great to put one more in the plus column. Third, maybe this will be the engine to more development in this portion of the Western Gateway. Wellmark and Nationwide stretched our vision of where the downtown core is; maybe this sets a stake a little farther out.
– Steve Simpson, Alliance Technologies
via Business Record Poll

If you want the Western Gateway area to continue to grow, businesses must move in. That includes local and chains. As someone that works in the Western Gateway area, I love having another food option within walking distance.
– Jeremy Bingaman
via Business Record Poll

Growth of that area is good in general. Would I rather see a Manhattan Deli location there instead? Absolutely. The upside is that Subway might attract other local businesses to open here and serve as an “anchor” store.
– Josh Fleming, Lessing-Flynn Advertising Co.
via Facebook

It insures that small businesses won’t be shut out of the downtown loop.
– @richeychaner, property owner of location
via Twitter

I see pluses and minuses: 

I dont really see it as good or bad. And Subway is a franchise, we should see if it’s locally owned or not. A cool, hip business would be nice, but for downtown to thrive we need a MIX of businesses.
– Derek Mahr
via Facebook

Subway is a reputable chain, and an alternative to other lunch options, but it has a downmarket appeal specifically as a stand-alone location in this area.  Contrast it with the JimmyJohn’s across the park which integrates beautifully into the existing building.  There are also a number of great locally owned restaraunts in the area, like Proof, and we are fortunate to have them as they help make the neighborhood special.  The northern side of the park needs some work as it is.  It is being anchored by the new Wellmark building and the nice work being done to the Gas Lamp.  There probbaly is a market for a fresh tasty sub, but I would recomend some landscaping.
– Tom Cox
Meredith Corp.

Plus is a healthy food option, but the negative is that it lacks the aesthetic in the physical surroundings, and dampens the efforts of bringing locally-owned businesses into the area.
– Megan Ruble
Wellmark BCBS

For those not familiar with downtown this will help give the area a landmark. There are 1000’s that live in the greater metro area that never go downtown because they don’t feel there is much there for them. The sculpture garden is great, but realistically you could zip through there quickly & now you’ll have a familiar spot to grab a bite as well.
– Anonymous
Via Business Record Poll

It is inexpensive for those that want it but the front of the building and bright signs does not blend or fit in to the area.  They should have required and look that matches the vision for that area, Jimmy Johns did a better job of that in the East Village I think.
– Anonymous
Via Business Record Poll