The city of Des Moines has agreed to pay $1.59 million to two property owners for the realignment of High Street.

Principal Mutual Life Insurance Co., which owns property between 10th and 12th streets, received $1,530,000 and IMHS Properties Inc., which owns property at the northwest corner of High Street and 12th Street, received $66,000.

n order to keep Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s headquarters downtown, the city agreed to straighten High Street to allow for a more efficient parking garage design.

he city council approved the acquisition at its Feb. 11 meeting.