The installation of a left-turn lane in Clive could drive enough traffic to make 8737 University Ave. a practical place at which to do business.

As the city of Clive upgrades its infrastructure along the Northwest 86th Street corridor, Des Moines-area bar owner Annie Baldwin is counting on the $104,000 cost of the improvement to quell the stigma surrounding her commercial real estate parcel on the west side of 86th.

In October 2009, CNNMoney.com listed the location as one of the nation’s “5 deadly spots” for restaurants.

P’Zazz, Zachary’s Sports Bar and Grill, Red, Hot & Blue, Garfield’s and Mackey’s Family Restaurant were among the eating and drinking establishments to occupy 8737 University before Baldwin and her husband, Tom, purchased the property in 2005.

After watching the now 24-year-old building sit empty for more than three years, they spent nearly $700,000 to remodel it and opened Caffrey’s Steakhouse in June 2009, Baldwin said.

With fresh fixtures, furnishings and equipment, including a new grease interceptor and an updated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, Baldwin hoped her grill-your-own-meatconcept would beef up the restaurant space’s profile. But limited access to the 2.85-acre site didn’t help the would-be destination location to convert more northbound drivers into patrons.

“I initially went to council in January 2010, to ask the city to work with me on opening the driveway,” Baldwin said, adding that in June of that year, she scaled back the operation to four nights a week from six. This spring, Baldwin cut back to three nights a week before shutting down altogether as crews began to work on the access point.

“Normally, there is about a 12- to 15-month shelf life on any business that has gone on there,” said Doug Ollendike, Clive’s community development director. “The property owner and city came together and said this is something that would assist in making this property more viable in the corridor.”

Ollendike said construction of the turn lane, which is slated to wrap up in late July, comes as the city nears the end of a four-year road reconstruction project in a high-traffic area between University Avenue and 73rd Street.

Baldwin, who will wait until the new entry point is completed before she decides whether to permanently pull the plug on Caffrey’s, said the property has been listed for sale or for lease with Iowa Realty Commercial broker Mick Grossman.

Baldwin, who has placed a $1.2 million price tag on the real estate, said she would also consider leasing the space for $14 per square foot triple net. The building and land have a combined assessed value for tax purposes of $805,000, according to the Polk County assessor’s website.

Operating as Minnesota Properties 1 LLC, Baldwin entered into a development agreement with the city to finance the project. If the company continues to own the real estate while making annual payments for five years, Ollendike said the city will forgive 50 percent of the principal balance.

He said approximately 26,000 vehicles drive past the east side of the site each day.

“It’s a turn-key operation for someone who wants to come in and open a restaurant or something,” Baldwin said.