Grimes economic development leaders brought together commercial real estate brokers, developers and architects recently to promote the 200-acre mixed-used Hope District and other growth opportunities in the community.

Katie Lord, the city’s director of economic development, and Brian Buethe, president and CEO of the Grimes Chamber of Commerce, hosted the event on Oct. 2 at the Hy-Vee Multiplex, which they said has been a major driver of economic development in the community, attracting nearly 600,000 visits from almost 150,000 unique visitors over the past 12 months.

The Hope District has drawn over 3.6 million visits over the last year, which “has a ripple effect across our economy,” Lord said.

She cited the growth Grimes has experienced as evidence of interest by both residential and commercial developers in the community.

The city’s population is quickly approaching 19,000, and Lord said that is expected to increase to around 27,000 by 2030, she said.

That has resulted in the addition of more than 5,000 proposed housing units since 2020, a mix of single family, multifamily, townhomes and condominiums, Lord said.

“That’s a tremendous pipeline of residential growth and each one of those households represents people who will shop in our stores, eat in our restaurants, use our parks and trails, and participate in our schools and community life,” she said. “It also means opportunity. A growing population creates the market conditions that retail, commercial and entertainment businesses are looking for when they are looking to open a new restaurant or build a new hotel. They want to know the rooftops are there to support them.”

Lord said the connection between residential and business development has helped fund amenities and opportunities that draw residents and businesses to Grimes.

Of the more than $885 million in new development that has occurred in Grimes since 2018, more than $360 million has been in commercial growth, she said.

Lord said the city is investing nearly $40 million this year in infrastructure improvements to support that growth.

The city is working with consulting firm Confluence on a new comprehensive land use plan, and on a retail market study to determine what kinds of businesses and services residents want.

Grimes is also working with the Iowa Downtown Resource Center on an assessment of the Governors District to help the city set goals and initiatives for the district, Lord said.

Recent growth in the Hope District includes a new Tru by Hilton hotel, a Caribou Coffee and Chipotle. A new Outside Scoop ice cream shop is expected to open later this year, Lord said.

Meanwhile, the Hy-Vee Multiplex schedule for 2026 is already full, she said.

Buethe highlighted current development opportunities in the Hope District. He pointed to the Hope Plaza, one of the newer buildings to go up, the Grimes Center off of First Street, Hope Plaza 2 and Heritage Park on Beaverbrooke Road.

Aaron Hyde, senior vice president of retail for brokerage firm JLL, which is marketing the Hope District, said 250,000 square feet of retail space has already been built in the Hope District with 400 apartments under construction.

He said Hope Development’s investment in the Hope District will be more than $180 million.

Hyde said as big box store development growth has slowed, other opportunities have been created.

“Sports tourism has seen big growth nationwide, and the Hope District and the Hy-Vee Multiplex have both,” he said. “You have the energy of sports tourism and then the everyday shopper coming to the stores and restaurants.”

That combination, along with the city’s growth has put Grimes on the map for retailers looking to open a store.

“We are now seeing as retailers come to Central Iowa, they’re asking about Grimes,” Hyde said.

He said there are sites that vary from 1 acre to 30 acres that can be pulled together for a deal.

“We are actively seeking and in conversation with retailers to do development,” said Hyde, who added there are also opportunities for office, restaurant and medical use in the district.

Lord said Grimes is being strategic about its growth, planning carefully to help define the next chapter in the city’s history.

“We can safely say Grimes is at a turning point,” she said. “We’re no longer just a suburb on the edge of Des Moines. We’re becoming a destination in our own right. We’re going quickly but thoughtfully [and] we’re planning carefully so that growth works for everyone.”