Commission approves redevelopment of 1601 Sixth Avenue, including renovated historic town hall and new residential building

The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission approved an amendment for property near 1601 Sixth Avenue that clears the way for renovation of a historic two‑story town hall into ground‑floor retail and a food hall with housing above, and for construction of a new three‑story residential building on the parcel.

Planning staff said the project would retain and renovate the 1890-era town hall at the corner and build a three‑story structure to the north, with parking accessed from College Avenue. "The proposed project is, 2 buildings," Planning staff member Jillian Sommer said during the public hearing. The new building would include a ground‑floor food hall and assembly space, with 24 residential units in the new building and five units in the restored historic structure, according to materials presented to the commission.

The project required a Type 2 design alternative…