A local organization working to promote growth and vitality on Des Moines’ South Side has created a strategy for meeting its goals.

The South Side Revitalization Partnership, a group composed of business owners and residents, submitted a plan to the Des Moines City Council on May 7 outlining priorities for improvements to current policy, infrastructure and planning efforts in that part of the city.

The SSRP’s list is based on the results of a land use and economic development study completed a year ago by RDG Planning & Design. The study focused on land along Southeast 14th Street south of Court Avenue to the Southeast Bloomfield Road intersection, and Army Post Road from Indianola Avenue to Fleur Drive.

“We came up with a number of priorities after the study was completed, and we finally realized that the only way we are really going to get good support is to narrow it down to the things we feel we need to focus on,” said Jo Corigliano, the chairwoman of the SSRP.

Here is a rundown on the SSRP’s implementation strategy, which it plans to carry out in coordination with the city:

• Upgrade design standards developers must meet to qualify for commercial tax abatements along Southeast 14th Street and Army Post Road to create architectural continuity and a positive identity along those roads.• Create a master plan for future development of the “cultural super-block” located from Army Post Road to County Line Road and from Southeast Fifth Street to Southwest Ninth Street. This area encompasses the Blank Park Zoo, Fort Des Moines Park, and the A.H. Blank Municipal Golf Course. The plan would include developing a park on the fort’s old parade grounds and possibly relocating the Fort Des Moines Correctional Facility.

• Conduct a study of the infrastructure needed to accommodate new development along Army Post Road from Southeast 14th Street east to relocated U.S. Highway 65.

• Enforce existing codes and develop new ones to remove blight and visual clutter and beautify   key intersections along Southeast 14th Street.

• Accelerate construction of the Great Midwestern Trail to accommodate walking and biking.

Corigliano said she is pleased with the support the SSRP has received from Brian Meyer, the Des Moines City Council’s new representative for Ward 4, the city’s southeast side.

“Brian has really stepped up to the plate on this and realizes the importance of economic growth on the southeast side,” she said.

Improving the appearance of the South Side would hopefully attract more developers, who would pay for some of the infrastructure improvements and upgrades that are needed, Corigliano said.

The SSRP formed about seven years ago as an affiliate of the South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. After years of discussions, fund raising and investing $50,000 of its own money in the economic development study, it is Corigliano’s hope that finally the group of concerned citizens is positioned change the image of the South Side.

“The South Side already has tremendous potential for economic growth, and we are at a point where we have to move forward to get where we want to be,” Corigliano said.