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Des Moines Council authorizes start of process to reconnect Fifth and Walnut skywalk, 5-2 vote
Summary
The City Council voted 5-2 to authorize staff to begin the process under Iowa Code chapter 26A to seek a guaranteed maximum price for a skywalk reconnection at the Fifth and Walnut parking garage; councilmembers requested additional concept options and an opportunity for further review before committing to construction.
The Des Moines City Council voted 5-2 on April 25 to authorize staff to issue a notice of intent to enter into a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) contract under Iowa Code chapter 26A to pursue reconnection of the skywalk to the Fifth and Walnut parking garage.
The authorization starts a construction-manager-at-risk procurement and design process; it does not commit the city to a construction contract or bind the council to the estimated $2.3 million figure cited by staff. Matt Anderson, deputy city manager, said proposed funding would come from tax increment financing (TIF) and that the action would allow staff to coordinate design and scheduling with a residential tower currently under construction nearby.
Councilmember Linda Westergaard and other councilmembers questioned whether now is the right time given recent budget constraints, including a $17 million shortfall mentioned during debate. Westergaard said there is no legal obligation to proceed immediately and asked to delay major financial commitments until the council has more information. City Engineer Steve Nabors told the council tonight’s approval starts the process and that “there is no financial commitment now.” He said the city will return with design options and a guaranteed maximum price for future council approval.
Council discussion focused on timing, potential revenue from increased garage usage, and the possibility of cannibalizing other garages. Nabors and Anderson said reconnecting could make the downtown parking system more competitive and that aligning construction with the adjacent tower could lower costs. Anderson said the tower developer has agreed to purchase parking stalls but that the parking agreement is “not specific to being a skywalk-connected garage.”
Councilmember Joe (mover not specified in the transcript) amended his motion to require that staff present multiple concept options and not proceed to irreversible construction steps without further council review. The amendment was accepted and the item passed 5 yes, 2 no.
Mayor Rosen and other councilmembers said staff should present concept alternatives that preserve developable land and avoid “orphaning” sites in the downtown parcel network. Engineering staff said they have retained a design partner with skywalk experience and will explore routes that minimize impacts on nearby developable lots.
The vote authorizes the next procurement and design steps; any actual construction contract and the guaranteed maximum price will require later council approval.
