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Council defers Sixth Street parking lot and dumpster enclosure after questions about need and cost
Summary
The City Council deferred approval of a proposed Sixth Street parking lot and adjacent dumpster enclosure in Valley Junction to allow staff to review whether a city-funded dumpster enclosure is needed and how it affects parking supply and project bidding.
The West Des Moines City Council on May 19 deferred action on a proposed downtown (Valley Junction) Sixth Street parking lot and a related dumpster enclosure after council members and staff raised questions about the enclosure’s necessity and cost.
Council discussion centered on whether the city should construct a shared dumpster enclosure (an often‑criticized and costly element) or require individual property owners to provide dumpsters. Valley Junction stakeholders and city staff said existing shared dumpsters are near capacity; the proposed new enclosure would serve current businesses, apartments, and anticipated new development on the corner lot.
City staff and the project’s engineer warned that removing the enclosure now could require a minor modification of the approved site plan or lead to a change order or rebidding if the construction contract had already been let. Council members asked staff to quickly review options with the Valley Junction Foundation and report back at the next council meeting; the council voted to defer the entire item to allow that review.
City staff told council that one existing dumpster in the block was at or near capacity and that the proposed enclosure would provide service for new businesses and avoid scattered private containers. Some council members said private property owners should bear the cost of dumpsters and questioned the visual and operational impacts of a shared enclosure.
The council voted to defer the item to the next meeting. Staff said they would consult the Valley Junction Foundation and Public Services staff, review construction and bidding implications, and return with a recommendation that separates the parking‑lot approval from the dumpster‑enclosure decision if feasible.
