Future Vision If performance in the past can be viewed as a predictor of how West Des Moines will grow in the years to come, its future is indeed bright. INFRASTRUCTURE City leaders’ confidence in continued growth is expected to be partially fulfilled by two highway projects planned in cooperation with other local governments. West Des Moines and Waukee, its closest neighbor to the west in Dallas County, the nation’s 10th fastest-growing county, are cooperating to build a new interchange on Interstate 80 at 105th Street (Alice’s Road in Waukee). Both cities stand to gain both population and commercial valuation when the project is completed between 2007 and 2009. In another highway project in the works, West Des Moines and Des Moines would jointly construct the Southwest Connector, a diagonal route from I-35 just north of Cumming to Iowa 28 then through the City of Des Moines from Iowa 28, to Fleur Drive. When that roadway is completed, West Des Moines officials expect it will have the same commercial retail and service-sector potential as Westown Parkway, which has mushroomed with development. QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUES Quality-of-life issues are always top of mind in West Des Moines. Also in the talking and planning stages is a cultural arts and recreation complex that would be unlike anything currently available in Central Iowa. Some ideas under discussion include an indoor aquatics center; a cultural center with a 1,000-seat auditorium and a smaller, more intimate “black box theater”; support spaces for the theaters, including a backstage area, fly, set storage and green rooms; a gymnasium that could be divided into three basketball courts; an indoor playground; an indoor walking and jogging track; a climbing wall; a fitness center; community and preschool classrooms; a community room available for rent for various functions; and art studios. The complex would be built on the City/School Campus east of City Hall under yet another partnership between the City of West Des Moines and the West Des Moines Community School District. Such cooperation between governmental bodies in West Des Moines is customary, as it extends the reach and value of its citizens’ tax dollars. Funding would come from several sources, including private donations, state and federal grants, and corporate sponsorships. Application may be made for state money from the state’s Vision Iowa tourism and cultural program, and a city/school bond referendum may be held on funding as well. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Closer on the horizon is The Galleria, a 75-acre development near Jordan Creek Town Center with a projected value of $100 million to $125 million. When completed, it will contain about 840,000 square feet of retail, office and apartment space in two dozen new buildings. Spearheaded by Knapp Properties Inc. in cooperation with Regency Commercial and Buyers Realty, the development will showcase Mediterranean-style design standards. The design of the 210,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter has been customized to fit into the upscale Galleria, where a First National Bank Midwest building at 6205 Mills Civic Parkway already is under construction. Within the next 10 years, city officials expect the West Glen Town Center will have 75 acres of mixed-use development, including two “main street” shopping districts, lofts typical of urban living above shops and entertainment uses that will create a vibrant atmosphere. Also in the planning states is the Village of Ponderosa, a 65-acre office, retail and residential project. Further, Jordan Creek Town Center will be fully built out; projects in the overlay districts, such as the Davis Estates development of 200 acres of commercial, office and residential uses, will allow for more mixed-use developments; Valley Junction will be more vibrant with the addition of more affordable senior housing units; and the completion of renovations of Railroad and Grand avenues will make these streets attractive gateways to West Des Moines that are more pedestrian focused and balanced with appealing landscaping and a mix of retail, commercial and dining opportunities. As in the past, development in the future will key on the community’s strength in whole-picture planning that includes neighborhoods, schools, parks and trails, shopping and dining options and employment centers. With the addition of Jordan Creek Town Center and all the planning and expansion taking place, it appears that West Des Moines’ future is even brighter than its past.