WELLMARK BREAKS GROUND FOR NEW HEADQUARTERS

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield broke ground at the building site for its first company-owned headquarters to be constructed in the downtown Des Moines “Western Gateway Park” area on Wednesday, May 28.

“This occasion is a ‘first’ for Wellmark in our 70-year history—the act of breaking ground for a new headquarters building,” Forsyth said.  “We are constructing a very special building.  It will be a clean, airy, healthy building with lots of natural light, and will be environmentally responsible and energy efficient; in fact, we have set a goal to achieve Gold Level LEED certification.  I am confident it will be the kind of building that will make Des Moines proud.”

The approximately $194 million project will be constructed on a 6.5-acre tract between Grand Avenue and High Street and 11th and 14th streets.  The 550,000 square-foot building will be ready for occupancy by the approximately 1,700 staff in late 2010.  The company is targeting a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the second highest rating.

“This is great news for Des Moines, and for Iowa,” said Governor Chet Culver.  “Wellmark’s new national headquarters will create and support many new high-quality, high-salary jobs in our state.  Additionally, companies like Wellmark are proving that every industry has a role to play in the “new” green economy, too. So, I also want to commend Wellmark for targeting a Gold LEED certification for its new headquarters and setting an example of excellent conservation practices. I thank Wellmark not only for their continued investment in Iowa, but also for their proven commitment to Iowa’s environment.”

The new building will allow Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield to own rather than rent and to consolidate all its employees under one roof instead of being scattered in several buildings as they are today.  The company has committed not to charge its customers for the construction, which will be paid for from investment earnings and the sale of properties.

To learn more about Wellmark visit www.wellmark.com .

DOWNTOWN HOUSING TOURS RETURN TO FARMERS' MARKET

Love Downtown? Thinking about moving? Why not consider Downtown.  See if an urban lifestyle is for you on Saturday, June 7, as the Downtown Community Alliance will be offering free tours of the condos, lofts, brownstones and apartments in Downtown Des Moines. Free shuttles will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. leaving from the corner of 5th and Court at the Downtown Farmers’ Market or you can walk or drive directly to the units. Stop by the Downtown Community Alliance tent on the corner of 5th and Court at the Downtown Farmers’ Market to pick up a map and for more information. Can't make it to the tour on June 7? Additional housing tours will be offered on: July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Sept. 13 during the Downtown Farmers' Market.

DES MOINES ARTS FESTIVAL ENTERS SECOND DECADE CELEBRATING THE ARTS

The Des Moines Arts Festival, presented by The Des Moines Register, enters its second decade on June 27-29, 2008, in  Western Gateway Park with a thrilling line-up of new programming and interactive activities. Iowa’s internationally-recognized, three-day celebration of the arts offers visual arts, live music, dance, street theatre, hands-on activities and much more, and admission is free!

The juried art fair now features 175 visual artists from across the nation and Canada in 14 categories: 2-D mixed media, 3-D mixed media, ceramics, digital, drawing/pastels, fiber, glass, graphics/printmaking, jewelry, metalworks, painting, photography, sculpture and wood. 23 up-and-coming artists attending colleges and universities around Iowa will have work on display and available for purchase through the Emerging Iowa Artists program, sponsored by Principal Financial Group.

The Festival has added the Interrobang Film Festival, presented by Nationwide, to its 2008 roster of arts-centric activities. This event, celebrating the art of film, consists of a film competition and public screening. Filmmakers from around the world have submitted films in six categories including features, mids, shorts, short shorts, documentary and free form. Don’t miss out on the chance to view all accepted films throughout the weekend of the Des Moines Arts Festival at the Pappajohn Higher Education Center.

The Kemin Industries Public Art Project, located in Western Gateway Park in the Bank of America Creative Kid’s Zone, is a new interactive arts activity. In collaboration with 8th-grade students at Nathan Weeks Middle School and artist STRETCH, this sculpture combines art and science into an artful, visual representation of FloraGLO® Lutein produced by Kemin Industries. Guests at the Festival can add creative touches to a piece to be inserted into the sculpture and help to finish the masterpiece.

Festival sponsor GuideOne Insurance and the Des Moines Art Center will create two new billboard-sized interactive murals at this year’s Festival. The two pieces of work to be recreated on-site at the Festival are The Hour of Tea (before 1916) by Frederick Carl Frieseke and Autumn, New Hampshire (1912) by Maurice Prendergast. Guests will each duplicate one section of one of these works of art to be assembled together as giant reproductions created by the collective hand of the community.

The U.S. Cellular and Meredith Corporation Stages will feature continuous live entertainment and feature headliners Public Property, Swing Crew, Lady Blue, The Josh Davis Band, and much more. The Performing Arts Stage highlights the arts through music, dance, theatre and all of the performing arts. You won’t want to miss shows from the Des Moines Playhouse, Des Moines Symphony Academy, Switchback, among others.

Even the streets of the Festival will buzz with excitement with live street theatre, sponsored by Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines. Roaming the Festival throughout the weekend will be Janet Rayor’s Dancing Stilts, Roberto the Magnificent, Bill Robison, Creations with a Twist, Mundus, Project Dynamite, Reggie Greenlaw and Shakespeare Center.

The Prairie Meadows Non-Profit Program will feature 26 Polk-County based non-profit organizations located in the Bank of America Creative Kid’s Zone. Each group will showcase a fun, take home interactive arts activity for children of all ages.

Students in grades K-12 from 90 schools across Central Iowa will showcase their creative talents in the Des Moines Art Center’s Nurturing a Student’s Vision Art Exhibit (NSV) sponsored by Hubbell Homes. Participating NSV students will be recognized at the Visionary Artists’ Ceremony on Saturday, June 28 at 10:15 a.m. on the Performing Arts Stage.

Other special Festival events include LIVE! Load-In Thursday, sponsored by Iowa Public Radio, on June 26 at Blues on Grand featuring breakout blues guitarist Mike Zito. Join us on Saturday, June 28 at 9:45 p.m. for a fireworks extravaganza visible from anywhere on the Festival site. Food and beverage vendors in two food courts and throughout the Festival site will showcase culinary arts to delight your taste buds.

For downloadable maps, schedules and more information updated daily, visit www.desmoinesartsfestival.org or call (515) 286-4950.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT – SMASH

Arguably the greatest store in the universe…right here in Downtown Des Moines!

We spoke with Michael Draper of SMASH to learn more about this newly expanded establishment in Downtown’s trendiest shopping area, the East Village.

Where is SMASH located?
We are located at 400 East Locust in the East Village. Street parking is available nearby, and the Downtown Shuttle stops just up the street from us. You can also find SMASH online at www.thesmashsite.com and on Facebook.

What are your hours?
Monday: noon – 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

What is SMASH?
SMASH specializes in custom graphic design, screenprinting, photography, and web-design. We print T-shirts for retail in the store as well as online. SMASH also designs and prints for several area bands, schools, and retailers including The Nadas, Drake University, and Kum & Go. Photography and web-design has been completed for Aimee, The Liar’s Club, and The Kirkwood, among others.

How long have you been in the East Village?
SMASH was first opened in September of 2005. In the spring of 2008 we expanded the store to allow for another screenprinting table and additional merchandise.

What types of services/apparel do you offer?
SMASH offers a unique shopping experience, filled with dry humor and funky attitudes. In store and online, customer’s will find an assortment of T-shirts, hoodies, and accessories. Be sure to check out the merchandise unique to Des Moines and Iowa! Ask about custom design, screenprinting, and photography opportunities.

Why did you choose Downtown?
Originally from Van Meter, I became interested in T-shirts and screenprinting when I attended the University of Pennsylvania. At the time, I conducted most business online but I wanted to open a bricks-and-mortar store. It just made sense to come back to Des Moines. The potential for growth in the Downtown area is tremendous, and this is a really great place to start a business.

Take the Downtown Shuttle, East 4th Street stop, to check out the greatest store in the universe for yourself!
 

DO MORE VILLAGE

Des Moines will be showcased before thousands of music fans this summer, at the 80/35 music festival on July 4th and 5th. The two-day event is expected to bring people from across the Midwest to Des Moines. The Young Professionals Connection (YPC) will host the Do More Village at the festival, which will showcase groups that enhance the lives of Young Professionals and emphasize the city as a forward thinking city where young professionals can succeed.

The Do More Village will provide local organizations an opportunity to promote their groups to thousands of festival goers. Volunteers with the organization will help plan and run the Village at the downtown festival. Booths and signage will also be provided for those groups interested in becoming part of the attraction.

Attendees of Do More Village will be part of the free area located near one of the major entrances to the festival. Here visitors will be able to view exhibits and participate in activities that focus on young-minded individuals in the Des Moines community.

YPC is taking the necessary steps to make sure the Village is fully staffed during all event hours. Friday, July 4 the event will run from 5 - 9 p.m. The following day 80/35 opens at noon and runs through 9 p.m.

To volunteer, apply for exhibit space, or to learn more about the Do More Village, visit 80-35.ypcdsm.com
 

CLEAN, SAFE AND BEAUTIFUL UP FOR RENEWAL

The Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID or Operation Downtown) is preparing to launch a new petition drive for the renewal of the (SSMID) for Downtown Des Moines.  The SSMID provides safe, clean and beautiful services in Downtown Des Moines and is paid for through a special surcharge of one dollar per thousand of assessed value on commercial property.  It does not include property that is tax abated or residential.

In the upcoming months, Operation Downtown Vice President  Matt McCoy will be scheduling individual meetings to collect signatures and to provide background on how the funds have been invested in the district, and how they will be used in the future.  Currently, more than 144 square blocks are cared for by the Operation Downtown ambassadors (who wear florescent yellow shirts) by keeping the sidewalks swept and trash emptied while providing extra eyes and ears for the Des Moines Police.  Operation Downtown manages flower programs, such as the hanging baskets in the East Village and Court Avenue.

If you have any questions or comments about Operation Downtown or the petition, please email Amy Lego at alego@downtowndesmoines.com. More information about Operation Downtown can be viewed at www.operationdowntown.com.

DOWNTOWN GIFT CARDS MAKE GREAT GIFTS

Looking for the perfect gift for the bride and groom? Still need a present for the new grad? How about Dad? With more than 88 places to shop, eat, play, dance, relax, party, catch a game, drink -  this is the gift that everyone will love. For a complete list of participating merchants, click here.  Gift cards can be purchased on line at DowntownDesMoines.com or in person at the Downtown Community Alliance office located at 700 Locust Street, Downtown Des Moines from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
The Downtown Community Alliance welcomes Azalea and Zen Sushi & Noodle bar to the program.

SUNDAY SHOPPING IN THE VILLAGE

Starting June 1, several East Village retailers will begin their summer Sunday hours. The following stores will be open on Sundays through Labor day:

eden, noon - 4 p.m.

CONGRATULATIONS, BROKER OF THE YEAR!

The Downtown Community Alliance is pleased to announce the 2007 Broker of the Year for Downtown Des Moines. Linda Gibbs and Tim Sharpe, (who work as a team), of Hubbell Realty, were named the Downtown Broker of the Year for selling/leasing the most office space in 2007.  Bill Wright, of Terrace Real Estate, was also honored for having the most sales transactions in Downtown.  The brokers were recently honored at a luncheon hosted by the Downtown Community Alliance at a luncheon at the Iowa Cubs.

Tim Leach, Vice President of Economic Development for DCA, said, "It's our pleasure to honor the people who sell and lease office space in downtown Des Moines. Their contributions and achievements are invaluable to the Downtown market and to the commercial broker profession."

Wright, Gibbs and Sharpe were given commemorative awards and $500 Downtown gift cards at an awards reception held in May at Principal Park.

HOUSING SPOTLIGHT - 4TH STREET CONDOS

Court Avenue stands at the core of downtown Des Moines’ recent resurgence.  Its many restaurants, clubs and attractions have helped make downtown an exciting entertainment destination for young and old alike.  Now, those who want to be close to the action on Court Avenue can live just steps away in the brand new 4th Street Condos, “Where you want to be”.

Located just south of Court Avenue at 119 4th Street, these 46 homes are Hubbell Realty Company’s newest addition to its downtown living offerings.  Buyers can choose from one- and two-story homes in sizes ranging from 985 to 1,606 square feet and have the option of two bedrooms or one bedroom and a study.

Each of these beautiful condos offers large windows that capture gorgeous city views and an abundance of natural light.  The contemporary kitchens feature maple cabinets, an island, granite counters and stainless steel appliances.  Each unit also comes complete with two bathrooms outfitted with granite counters, ample closet space, a washer and dryer, and either a patio or balcony.

An attractive 10-year tax abatement is available for these homes that start out at $196,900.  The 4th Street Condos offer an energy efficient design that will help residents save money thanks to lower utility bills.  A community rooftop deck provides beautiful views of the city and secure underground parking is available to shield residents and their vehicles from the elements.

The city’s best restaurants and clubs are all next door and residents can enjoy a short walk to popular recreation venues such as the Principal Riverwalk, the Science Center of Iowa, Gray’s Lake and Principal Park.  During the summer, homeowners can attend events like the Downtown Farmers’ Market taking place just outside their front door. 

If the 4th Street Condos are where you want to be, call Iowa Realty agents Jill Creveling at 515.453.6604 or Anne Timmins at 515.453.5632 for more information about this exciting new urban lifestyle option.

FREE MOVIES AT BRENTON SKATING PLAZA

Brenton Skating Plaza will  host a downtown movie experience every Friday night in June, weather permitting.  The public will be able to cozy up on their blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy family-friendly favorites under the stars, all for free!  Brenton is also partnering with JuneJam 2008 to provide free live music performances prior to each movie all month long.
 
Brenton Skating Plaza will kick things off each Friday with music at 7p.m. and the movie at 9 p.m.  Join us for Dance-a-Cross & Tim Aaron Band followed by E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on June 6; Remnant Blues Band followed by Ghostbusters on June 13 ; 9th Hour followed by The Cutting Edge on June 20; and Bright Light Parade followed by Evan Almighty on June 27, 2008.   

“We are excited to be a part of the revitalization of downtown Des Moines with events that appeal to those living and working downtown and, at the same time, attracting families to the downtown area”, says General Manager Robbin McClelland, “We think we’ve chosen some great movies and are excited to share this experience with local and visiting families!” 

BREWFEST RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN

The second annual Des Moines’ Cityview Brewfest is set to return on  Saturday, June 14 from 3-8 p.m.  The sampling event will feature over 250 varieties of beer from more than 125 brewers.  The event takes place in Downtown Des Moines, just south of Martin Luther King Jr. across from the Science Center of Iowa on Third Street.  Even those who aren’t traditional beer fans can try small samples of different beers including ciders and fruit beers.  Veteran beer drinkers will enjoy the wide variety of beer and be impressed by the offerings from Iowa brewers and local home brewers as well.  Experts from the breweries will also be on hand to share their knowledge about their brews and to talk about upcoming releases.  A portion of the proceeds from Des Moines’ Cityview Brewfest will benefit Mentor Iowa. Live entertainment will be provided by Brother Trucker and Mooseknuckle. 

Tickets are: $25 in advance or $30 with two tickets to the I-Cubs double header game on Sunday, June 15; $28 at the door on the day of the event and a $10 Designated Driver tickets will also be available the day of the event. Tickets are available at el Bait Shop.

For more information visit www.dmcityview.com/brewfest.
 

URBAN PIONEERS - CARL AND SUSAN VOSS

Lucky or smart? Carl and Susan Voss would probably claim a little of each in their decision to turn a former retail store into their 3,200 square foot home in Des Moines’ East Village. The Voss’ feel lucky to have stumbled upon the building that offered an abundance of living space, a courtyard, a basement workshop and a two car garage. Now they believe they were smart to have purchased the building eight years ago in an area they believed was ripe for development.

Eight years ago, the East Village was not the East Village Des Moines’ residents know today. The area was sparsely populated and the trendy, eclectic shops and restaurants were non-existent.

They turned the two-story retail shop and apartment space on East Fifth into a beautiful home with a master bedroom that looks out onto a quaint courtyard full of blooming bushes and trees. Carl, the editor of a woodworking magazine and avid woodworker, turned the basement of the building into a workshop where he is currently building a cradle in anticipation of his first grandchild.

Carl also loves biking and enjoys riding his bike from the East Village to his office on Ingersoll. Living just four blocks from area bike trails is a big bonus and he looks forward to the completion of the Principal Riverwalk.

Susan works near the Botanical Center, and often walks to work if her car is not needed for the day. Susan loves the feeling of community and how it seems there is a collective ‘buy-in’ from so many developers downtown, from housing to businesses, it seems that so much is coming together for the first time.

The possibilities they saw for the East Village are coming to fruition.  Carl and Susan are excited about the many wonderful restaurants that have come to the area such as Lucca, Alba, and Miyabi 9.  They thoroughly enjoy the many events that the East Village hosts as well as the concerts on the lawn of the Capitol in the summer.

With all that downtown Des Moines now has to offer, what are the Voss’s plans for the future?  “We’re not going anywhere,” say Carl and Susan.  “We plan to stay forever, or until our legs don’t allow us to walk up the stairs anymore.”

So, were the Voss’s smart or lucky?  It took a good amount of foresight and intelligence to see that their investment in an old building would one day place them in the middle of such a thriving, trendy community.  But we’re sure Carl and Susan would tell you that it never hurts to be a little lucky, too.