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Real Estate and Development

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Another look in the rearview mirror

We’re a month away from marking the longest period of expansion after an economic calamity, in this case the Great Recession that stretched from December 2007 to June 2009. We still look over our shoulders, …

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Local government officials continue to have concerns about property tax bills

Local government officials are miffed at Iowa lawmakers over passage of a bill that adds steps to the budget-setting process and in some instances requires a supermajority of elected officials to approve proposed property tax …

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Des Moines City Council delays vote on Franklin school rezoning after spirited public hearing

More than 100 people packed the Des Moines City Council chambers to hear discussion about a proposal to rezone the former Franklin Junior High School into a hotel and entertainment venue. Most of the people …

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‘We have to be respectful stewards of the taxpayers’ money’

Former Des Moines City Councilwoman Christine Hensley introduces community leaders who called for the federal government to halt plans for a new courthouse on the downtown riverfront.

Molly Weber worked in the U.S. Courthouse in …

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Harkin Institute celebrates groundbreaking for new Drake campus facility

Rendering courtesy of Drake University

When the new home of the Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement opens next year on the Drake University campus, it will provide not only more space for …

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D.M. prepares for round 2 of first zoning change in a half-century

After operating under the same — though frequently amended — zoning code for the last 54 years, the city of Des Moines is preparing to make a big change, and change carries a message: You …

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Franklin school project faces an uncertain future

Concerns by at least four Des Moines City Council members about a proposal to transform a former west-side school into an entertainment venue have the potential to quash the $8 million project, the project’s developer …

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HDR acquires California firm, will operate under new name

Omaha-based HDR is expanding its team of urban and regional planners by acquiring Calthorpe Associates, based in Berkeley, Calif. The firm will operate as HDR|Calthorpe. Calthorpe has been an international leader in smart growth and …

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Report: Ankeny rents highest in Iowa; Des Moines, West Des Moines rents have ‘flatlined’

The priciest rents in Iowa can be found in Ankeny, according to a report from apartment rental website RentCafe, but at $1,119 per month in April, apartment dwellers would pay well below the national average …

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Greater Des Moines house sales up, prices down in April

Greater Des Moines house sales increased 27% to 1,152 in April from 907 in March, while median prices dropped to $203,000 from $209,900 over the same period, the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors said. …