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Local contractor pitches decorative 'parklets' to boost Des Moines City downtown activity
Summary
Mason Watt of M 4 Enterprises proposed pilot trellis/parklet installations on city easements to make the Des Moines City downtown corridor more walkable and visually unified; committee asked staff to help facilitate a low‑red‑tape prototype while flagging permits, engineering, liability and maintenance as open issues.
Mason Watt, owner of M 4 Enterprises, told the Des Moines City Economic Development Committee that he is seeking committee support to install a prototype series of trellis-style parklets in downtown easements as a low-cost stimulus to pedestrian activity ahead of FIFA 2026.
Watt said a prototype could be built for about $15,000 and would use donated materials and volunteer labor. “I think we could probably get a really good prototype built for around $15,000,” he said, and described working with local suppliers including Lowe’s, Don Lumber and local metal fabricators, as well as artists and community groups.
The proposal would place decorative pergolas, benches, medallions and small art/display platforms in underused…
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