Hurd plans retail development for busy south-side intersection
KENT DARR Aug 12, 2015 | 9:18 pm
2 min read time
401 wordsAll Latest News, Real Estate and DevelopmentDeveloper Richard Hurd’s plans to develop three lots at the northeast corner of Army Post Road and Southwest Ninth Street will serve a dual purpose.
For one, he grew up on the south side and would like to see more improvements in the area. That’s a little bit of his sentimental side showing through.
There is a more practical reason.
“The other reason is it’s a good solid retail trade area,” Hurd said.
He should know. Hurd has built a reputation as one of the top retail experts in Greater Des Moines. In fact, he has extended his business dealings to other parts of the country as well. But locally, if you drive along Ingersoll Avenue there are examples of Hurd projects, some quick to come out of the ground, others that will take more time. He knows that you don’t push retailers to do anything they don’t want to do.
At the northwest corner of Army Post and Southeast 14th Street an Arby’s opened within the last couple of weeks on Hurd-owned land.
And in West Des Moines, at the northeast corner of Mills Civic Parkway and 60th Street, Hurd is making a big statement with a retail development that also will be the future home of Hurd Real Estate Development, not to mention tony retailers such as Fresh Market and REI.
There aren’t enough acres available at Army Post Road and Southwest Ninth for so much as a small strip shopping center. But in combining properties Hurd owns at 6305 S.W. Ninth and 812 Lally streets with what currently is city-owned property at 849 Army Post, there is plenty of space for a bank branch and a fast-food restaurant — standard retail clients for a corner lot, he said.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Hurd owned several properties in the area. He has cleared a building that once housed a Mama Lacona’s pizza shop, a building where he also once had an office.
He is negotiating with the city to buy 849 Army Post Road, property the city acquired for $220,000 in 2014 from Clear Channel Outdoor Inc., according to Polk County property records.
Hurd and city of Des Moines planners have been working since 2008 to bring retail development to the spot, according to a report to the City Council.
“The location has been a high priority site for south-side neighborhoods and business owners,” according to the report.
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