centraliowarising

Thoughts on this? Personally, I think Mr. 50 Cent is full of crap. Sorry, but I will have to see it to believe it. Maybe he's the visionary the city has always needed, or else he's pulling off a huge con because the city of Shreveport always falls for everything that comes their way with promises of jobs or economic prosperity. https://www.ksla.com/2024/04/23/50-cents-vision-means-shreveport-could-be-trajectory-be-one-fastest-growing-cities/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3Eyl8gYT-GbNUkX1yuthRnuvrDIofVWIa6ljSfIpNA0xE40cHfUlSMBGQ_aem_AfNMLzWaFqAvPT5jnJOGgwG508NSfY1pc9qNJQ_tCy5M8AjkmInm0VYL74w-CpMWURMOwPtsmh20LDWthNLZTxtJ

A few photos I took today of projects currently under construction, while driving around Waukee and West Des Moines. TopGolf, West Des Moines Aloft Hotel, Waukee Vibrant Music Hall, Waukee

Inside the Governor's Mansion in Des Moines...

This is NOT my photo. As a photographer myself, I know the value of giving credit where it's due, so for the record, this photo is the property of Catch Des Moines. That said, this is one of my favorite photos of downtown DSM, so I had to share it.

A close-up view of downtown DSM from the EMC Overlook at McRae Park

I'm surprised with, as fast as the DSM Metro is growing, this forum isn't pretty active. With a growth rate of 100,000 new Metro residents every 10 years for at least the past 20 years, and tons of new people moving to the metro literally every day, there's a lot to be excited about in the Metro and surrounding areas! I'll update with a few projects: * I-35 widening from Ankeny to Huxley (eventually to Ames), preparing for future growth between Ames and the Metro - under construction * East Mixmaster modernization and flyover addition - under construction * West Mixmaster modernization - currently in design?? * Des Moines International Airport new terminal and parking garage expansion - under construction * TopGolf - coming soon * Bombers Golf/Hotel & Entertainment District - under construction * Dave & Buster's - recently opened * The Grand Experience, massive $600 million indoor water park and hotel complex - in planning stage * 515 Walnut Tower, 33 story modern apartment tower - in planning stage/working on funding * Vibrant Music Hall/Aloft Hotel & Entertainment District - under construction * Court Avenue Entertainment District - redevelopment in progress * New apartment complexes all over the metro - too many to list - under construction and in planning * Waukee Towne Center lifestyle/shopping center - under construction * Jordan Creek Tower - 5-story mixed-use building with luxury condos - being developed in the Jordan Creek area of West Des Moines * Blue Zoo - Growing national chain aquarium and learning center being developed near Jordan Creek Town Center - under construction? * New medical district in Johnston (I don't remember the name) - in planning stage * Iowa Speedway - new events are bringing people back to the speedway in Newton - IndyCar and NASCAR are back and breathing new life into the track Not exactly in the metro, but just up the road in Ames on the Iowa State University campus * CyTown - Massive new entertainment/shopping/residential district connecting Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum Pretty much every suburb is growing rapidly, with several leading the state and the Midwest in population growth. I'm so proud to call Central Iowa home! I'm sure I missed some major projects, these are just off the top of my head. If anyone actually visits this forum anymore, feel free to add projects.

Des Moines skyline from the EMC lookout point at McRae Park. Principal Park and the State Capitol can be seen in the far right.

The Bridge District last Winter...

New Transload station officially opens in Des Moines. https://centraliowarising.com/2022/02/19/new-railport-now-open-in-des-moines/ Dave & Buster's now official in West Des Moines: https://centraliowarising.com/2022/02/19/west-des-moines-update-dave-busters/ My previous article about the Dave & Buster's project: https://centraliowarising.com/2022/02/06/wdm-is-the-long-awaited-dave-busters-finally-about-to-happen/

I don't get the "confused" react to my last post. What is so confusing about it? The city has ruined everything they've touched. It's complete garbage.

I'm hearing through the grapevine that the city of Shreveport, which was so proud of its large new convention center a few years back when it was built, is now letting it go to crap. The event planner sounds like she's in the wrong profession as well, talking down to people who are wanting to have their events at the facility. Once again, something else the city of Shreveport has touched has turned from gold to poop. Where's the poop emoji when you need it!? A list of venues the city of Shreveport has ruined in recent years: Fair Grounds Field Shreveport Convention Center Anyone else have one for the list? I don't live there anymore so I don't know about Indy Stadium or the Muni. Edit: Here's a Google Maps shot showing the building. I was shocked to see how disgusting it's looking.

This winter has actually been milder and less snowy than normal. It's still cold though. Last week we stayed below freezing for a few days. The Bridge District is something I really love!

Just a few photos I took from the Bridge District yesterday.

Nice! I once drew an imaginary skyline in perspective. But that was in high school nearly 30 years ago and I wish I still had it. These are very impressive!

Yeah I wish Des Moines' skyline was more compact like this. I like the height of the nearly 700 ft tallest building in Des Moines, but I hate how spread out the skyline is. It needs to fill in more, then it will be more impressive.

A few from the riverfront area this week.

Downtown Shreveport-Bossier this week.

I can hear the crickets chirping in here and it's sad. This was once a pretty happening forum. Oh well. Just thought I'd pop in and mention that I've been following the Amazon development in Shreveport. construction of the huge warehouse building is well underway and this will be a big development for Shreveport. The city REALLY needs something like this. And since Shreveport really doesn't have "suburbs" per se, it's being built inside the city, not far from downtown. That's a great thing for the city and, since Shreveport-Bossier will always be my hometown even though I've moved away, I'm glad to see it. And maybe it will finally get some of the employers in Shreveport-Bossier paying better wages. Great job, Shreveport, in landing this large warehouse project! https://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/local-news/louisiana-governor-to-make-economic-announcement-friday-in-shreveport/

It's quite a shame this project got all screwed up. This would have been an excellent addition to downtown Des Moines. A tall condo/hotel tower, an Alamo Drafthouse and a tall parking garage. The only thing that ever got built was the parking garage, and when the developer defaulted on their loan, the city seized the project. https://www.facebook.com/The-Fifth-Des-Moines-1527130820928541/

I know this is an urban forum, but I wanted to point out that the northwestern suburb of Grimes is really starting to build up. They are building a new Hy-Vee store off 141 at 1st Street with a lot of development around it. A new Arby's, a new Culver's, what appears to be a shopping strip, and a Dupaco all on the west side of 141. This is all part of a very large development which will also include a regional/national sports complex. I think I heard of more housing going in that area as well? As if Grimes is short on housing, because it seems like every area of Grimes has new home construction going on. On the east side of 141 there is a new Starbucks going up in front of Menards and O'Reilly Auto Parts just opened right across the street. The area just south of the Amazon shipping hub is growing again, with more large warehouse/office space being built in that commerce park near Daimler. I also see another large warehouse being built just north of the new Urban Loop flyover. Across from the QT at 141 and 37th St, they are planning a new Hy-Vee Express, which will include a coffee shop as well. It won't be a Starbucks, though, since they're currently building the Starbucks to the north that I previously mentioned. Grimes definitely seems like a place to watch as far as suburban development is concerned. On the subject of suburban development, I'm wondering what will become of the Altoona-Bondurant corridor on the northeast side of the metro now that Amazon's new facilities are open in that area. With Facebook being right around the corner from there, I could easily see more growth occurring in that corridor. Pictured: Grimes downtown water towers Warehouse which now houses the Amazon delivery center