For decades, a two-story brick building at 413 Euclid Ave. on Des Moines’ north side was home to the French Way Cleaners & Dyers.

In an addition to the two-story structure was the Hi-Ho Grill. Both were business staples in the Oak Park/Highland Park neighborhoods. The grill closed in 1995, the cleaners in 2018.

In July 2019, Euclid Foresight LLC, managed by Connor Delaney, bought the property. He recently began renovating the structure, which was built in phases beginning in 1924 when the two-story portion was constructed.

Delaney said he has a signed letter of intent from a brewery operator interested in opening an establishment in the single-story portion of the structure; a restaurateur is close to signing a letter of intent to open an eatery in the two-story building.

“There’s a lot of traffic coming to the Highland Park area, and there’s really no place for them to go and have a drink,” Delaney said. “With everything that is happening in this area, it’s going to become a destination for people.”

To the west, north of Euclid along Sixth Avenue, Chuck’s restaurant is preparing to reopen; Highland Park bakery reopened in early 2020; and Des Moines Mercantile and Slow Down Coffee Co. also opened. In addition, developer Joe Cordaro purchased the properties at 3523 Sixth Ave. and 3524 Sixth Ave. Renovation of the building at 3523 Sixth Ave. is underway. (See below.)

Delaney has deep ties to the area. His mother, Del Budreau, taught art at the nearby Oak Park Elementary School for 23 years before leaving in 2001. Two of Delaney’s siblings attended the school. Delaney’s father, Michael Delaney, lived in the area for about 12 years, he said.

“I have a lot of memories of this area as a kid,” Delaney said.

Delaney has applied for Historic Preservation Tax Credits through Iowa Economic Development’s program. The application is in Part 2 of the process.

He said some demolition work has begun on the interior of the building. A rubber roof has been ordered but won’t arrive for several months. “It really needs the roof on it” before interior renovations can begin, Delaney said. “We want to get it watertight.”

He estimated the renovation would be completed by mid-2023.

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Renovation of Oak Park/Highland Park building underway