West Des Moines council approves amendment raising Valley West urban renewal incentive cap to $110 million, 4–1

The West Des Moines City Council voted 4–1 on April 28 to approve Amendment No. 1 to the Valley West Urban Renewal Area, increasing the maximum incentives under the plan from $95,000,000 to $110,000,000.

The amendment, the council was told, is intended to allow for additional city infrastructure — potentially including a parking garage — and would be deployed incrementally over an anticipated 10–12 year build-out. “The $110,000,000 … is going to be deployed over a 10 to 12 year period,” the chair said, adding the increase is designed to leverage private investment.

Council discussion focused on developer commitments and timing. One council member asked whether a purchase option on the property had expired and whether the receiver had put the property back out to bid; the chair responded that the developer has been in “constant communication” with the receiver and the city is continuing talks with JCPenney and the ATI Group on a draft development agreement. “We will not be moving forward unless we know that we can start the project,” the chair said.

Members of the public urged caution and asked for clearer timelines. Tom Wally of Urbandale, representing the Des Moines Woodturners, said the group relies on meeting space in the mall and questioned whether creating a park would produce a year-round destination in Iowa’s climate. “To spend that much money for a limited time, that’s not gonna bring people — it’s not a destination,” Wally said, and suggested the city consider maker or demonstration spaces that could draw visitors.

Jim Romar of West Des Moines said the scale of incentives posed fiscal risk. “This is a sizable money,” Romar said. “If it falls apart, it’s serious, and it’s generational.” He urged the council to base decisions on solid information rather than hope.

Christina Smith, representing Community Support Advocates, said nonprofit tenants near the site have delayed investment because they lack clarity on timing and asked the city to keep property owners informed. “We’ve put quite a bit of money in that property, and now we’re kind of in a holding spot because we have clear indication that you have a plan for that area,” Smith said.

A council member moved to continue action until a development agreement is received; that motion did not carry. After debate the council voted to approve the amendment, with the final tally recorded as four ayes and one nay. The chair said the approval positions the city to enter a development agreement quickly if negotiations with JCPenney and developers succeed.

The council received and filed the special meeting notice and adjourned.