Council allows revised sidewalk plan near Scottish Rite after debate on cost, safety and ADA access

The Des Moines City Council on June 23 approved a revised sidewalk design related to an appeal by Scottish Rite Park Inc. over a condition that would have required a public sidewalk along Woodland Avenue and 20 Eighth Street near 2909 Woodland Avenue.

Scottish Rite Park representatives presented two scaled-back options to avoid costly retaining walls and utility conflicts, and said the city engineer preferred the option that keeps the sidewalk tight to the street. “This first one still comes in around $28,500,” said Aso Westfall, identifying his address as 3939 Grand Avenue. He said a second option was about $18,000 but raised safety concerns for cars exiting the driveway and for parked vehicles along the street.

The issue mattered to nearby residents and transit riders because of access to DART stops. Garland Armstrong, who said he represents Ward 2 and rides the bus, urged the council to consider wheelchair and mobility access to the bus stop. “Some of them have to be in grass waiting at the bus stop,” Armstrong said, asking staff to check bus stop access for riders who use wheelchairs or walkers.

Councilmembers discussed timing and coordination with planned pavement work. One councilmember said the city engineer was “completely open to when it happens” and suggested the work could be tied to Scottish Rite’s planned driveway reconstruction, which staff said could occur in fall or spring depending on timing. A councilmember moved the planning and zoning recommendation (option A) with direction to staff to coordinate timing to avoid utility boxes and a retaining wall; the motion passed 6–1, with Councilmember Epstein voting no.

Scottish Rite representatives said the city would repave portions of the street and that the organization would handle the concrete driveway overlay. Architect Elizabeth Dawley identified herself at the hearing and spoke briefly to the design adjustments. Staff and applicant representatives said the city engineer preferred the option that avoids the utility vaults and limits retaining-wall construction.

The council’s action approves the conditional design adjustment and directs staff to coordinate timing and implementation so the sidewalk work can be aligned with Scottish Rite’s driveway project and the city’s overlay schedule.

Council comments indicated an intent to minimize unnecessary costs while meeting Americans with Disabilities Act considerations and avoiding utility conflicts. The final decision requires coordination between the applicant and city engineering staff on schedule and construction details. Ending