MPO to seek new bids for proposed transload site

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Des Moines is broadening its net as it seeks another operator for a proposed rail transloading facility. The Des Moines City Council will vote this afternoon whether to move forward with a new request for proposal that will also consider bids for other uses for the 12-acre site east of downtown.


“Everyone’s still anticipating the transload facility will happen,” said Todd Ashby, executive director of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. He said he is aware of a couple of potential operators who are interested.

The MPO’s executive committee earlier this month terminated its contract with Steve Braithwaite, who operates a transloading facility in Omaha, following news of Braithwaite’s indictments by a federal grand jury. The city also canceled an installment contract that it had approved in November to sell the property for $1.25 million to Braithwaite.

The MPO is now asking the the city to work with it to distribute a new RFP to industrial real estate brokers to determine if there is interest in purchase and development of 200 S.E. 15th St. for any use other than a transloading facility. 

“Should competing proposals be received as a result of this solicitation of information, these proposals will be evaluated along with the recommended Railport Transloading Facility developer proposal,” according to the document.

If approved, the RFP will be available beginning Tuesday here.