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Council approves downtown 'Hyper energy bar' site plan despite precedent concerns
Summary
A downtown site plan for a 1,029-sq-ft 'Hyper energy bar' with dual drive-thrus and limited on-site parking was approved 6–1 amid testimony from neighborhood leaders who warned the double drive-thru would be auto-oriented and create bike/pedestrian conflicts; the applicant offered trail improvements along MLK.
The City Council approved item 60 on Aug. 3, allowing a type-2 design alternative and site plan for a 1,029-square-foot ‘Hyper energy bar’ at 100 Southwest 11th Street that includes two drive-thru lanes and limited on-site parking. Josh Rickstead (speaker S6) of Civil Design Advantage, speaking for Harbor America Group, described the irregular, 2.01-acre parcel with only 0.65 developable acres and said the applicant is willing to construct about 1,000 linear feet of trail along MLK as part of the project.
Several downtown residents and neighborhood leaders opposed the plan. Carol Maher (S21) told the council, “A double drive through restaurant does not fit in Downtown Des Moines,” and urged denial on zoning and safety grounds. Council debate focused on the site’s unusual constraints and the risk of setting precedent for future downtown drive-thrus; one council member voted no, but the motion to approve passed 6–1. Supporters cited site-specific limitations, the applicant’s lack of requests for TIF or abatements, and the potential to attract pedestrian and bike traffic if designed well.
