Local contractor pitches decorative 'parklets' to boost Des Moines City downtown activity

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 sidewalk easements and in front of vacant properties to create visual continuity and places to sit. Watt described outreach to schools and youth organizations for construction help and to local artists and the Historical Society for design contributions.

Committee members praised the idea’s low cost and potential to “make Des Moines really shine,” but raised practical questions about engineering, permitting, liability and long‑term upkeep. One committee member asked, “are these structures gonna be able to take 50, 60 mile an hour winds that come through town?” Watt replied that the prototypes would be semi‑permanent and built similarly to existing structures near the Edward Jones site and that posts could be cut and removed if development required it.

City staff said a building permit and fees would be required and that the city’s capital project staff are “spread very thin.” The City Manager told the committee, “we are flowing over capacity,” and said staff could try to facilitate a low‑red‑tape prototype if the committee made it a priority, but that permit fees could not be waived.

Committee members also pressed on liability and public safety, noting concerns about sheltered gathering spots and long‑term maintenance costs on city property. A longtime council member said the city has limited maintenance capacity after recent budget cuts and that any permanent maintenance burden would be difficult to absorb.

Rather than a formal vote, the committee directed staff to help Mason Watt by preparing a letter from the city manager (and mayor as needed) tying the proposal to the Economic Development Committee’s review and to clarify permitting, categories of donation, and next steps. Watt said he would continue fundraising and business outreach and suggested a six‑month timeline for a prototype if staff facilitation is available.

The committee chair said staff should keep the process “as low red tape as possible” if the committee signals that the prototype is a priority.

Though members signaled support for exploring a pilot, they asked staff and the applicant to return with clearer permitting, engineering and maintenance plans before any installation occurred.