The Des Moines City Council will consider a 28E agreement with Polk County during its meeting on Monday, detailing each government’s role in the proposed redevelopment of the county-owned parking lot at Fifth and Cherry streets downtown.

The county announced last fall that it would begin seeking proposals to redevelop the nearly 2-acre lot in hopes of creating a multiuse link between the Court Avenue District and other yet-to-be-developed properties to the south and west.

Downtown surface parking lots are considered to be prime real estate for redevelopment, and county officials have said the parking lot’s proximity to Court Avenue makes it ripe for redevelopment.

According to the RFP, goals for the site are for mixed-use with commercial that will bring something new to the neighborhood, and cater to a combination of residential and office users during days, evenings and weekends.

A preference for development would include concepts that acknowledge the history of the site, as well as pay some homage to Des Moines’ Union Station and the rail and industrial legacy of the area.

The site is zoned DX2, which will require a minimum height of three stories and a maximum height of eight stories. The zoning requires nonresidential use on the ground floor.

According to a city staff report that will be presented to the city council, the county asked the city to help prepare the RFP, evaluate and choose a proposal and negotiate an agreement with the selected developer.

The 28E agreement defines what role the county and city will each play in the process.

According to the staff report, the county will, among other things:

• Maintain ownership of the property.
• Keep the property in good repair and free from nuisance.
• Keep property free and clear of any liens or other encumbrances to ensure marketable title in conformity with Iowa law and land title standards so that property can be conveyed to selected developer.
• Provide information regarding the property, including, but not limited to information related to title, acquisition history, environmental conditions on or under the property, to city or interested developers upon request.
• Transfer property to a developer once one is selected.
• Designate a representative to work with the city to review proposals and select the developer.

The city’s responsibilities would include:

• Consult with the county’s designated representative regarding the marketing and selection process and provide any updates to the county as requested.
• Receive, review and evaluate proposals received in response to any requests for proposals for the redevelopment of the site.
• Communicate with developers during the marketing, selection and redevelopment processes.
• Negotiate appropriate economic development or other assistance with selected developer and negotiate and finalize development agreement.
• Coordinate with the selected developer to apply for and obtain all city-required permits, zoning actions, or other city approvals necessary for completion of accepted redevelopment plans.

Carrie Kruse, economic development administrator for the city, said the agreement is necessary “so that before we start making recommendations on a project or a developer that we’ve outlined the county’s responsibilities to eventually convey that property to a selected developer and that the city’s responsibility is to negotiate a development agreement for the site.”

In February, county officials said they were continuing to accept proposals through the end of March, and in mid-April, Sarah Boese, deputy county administrator, said four proposals had been received but they had not yet been thoroughly reviewed.

A request to Boese for comment for this story was forwarded to the city where a spokesperson said there were no updates on the proposals, saying it’s early in the process.