[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6246482,"mediaKeyId","3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78","parentId",3217554,"title","Urbandale hires AECOM to verify Merle Hay sales-tax allocation; city to cover $27,900 fee","audioSeconds",785,"startMs",2075000,"endMs",2860000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78&start=2075&end=2860","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78/thumbnail_2075000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6246482/Urbandale/Polk-County/Iowa/Urbandale-hires-AECOM-to-verify-Merle-Hay-sales-tax-allocation-city-to-cover-27900-fee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246482-54d298c1c4008ea845aa24d813b21703/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175229&Signature=mkGE8XxBwYtXC-7EOoRxEd5cuewbo~yTfgWqZ2Tn9QPTobZRRXXUzluiIzTpMeV-4vtV1giOfYv39Qo3p2Cz~NUn8IBULS6z0MFWEaUgJKgdv7-TdKgwGMU2FdX7vcblY0y~Dw~kdA2Yk5BHsZ3tdV9W7pGBpfPDUm9GaUZyvy8w1gL2rr8-wwKpUCHDSAYNLGi0izRLe6Ov~kaS00NcC4KKnKYe6TrzYKqd-KQXFg0gmWYSAS72U4K~4EoSrNHIOB8Eni7upK5mB~82FrzT3Qq7dbD0sTMCcNQ4aYl2zGCfOry6clWB3MyaolQiT3utqt8uT4~Ljd3Kf4AHx3gUCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-07T21:24:53.023Z","article","Urbandale officials approved hiring AECOM on a $27,900 contract to reanalyze how much incremental sales tax the Merle Hay Reinvestment District is likely to generate, Assistant City Manager Curtis Brown told the City Council on May 5.

The analysis is intended to verify an earlier allocation of $26.5 million in incremental sales tax tied to an application under the Iowa Reinvestment Act administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IDA). Brown said the Merle Hay project has changed substantially since the city’s 2022 application, so a new independent estimate is needed to inform IDA staff recommendations and the IDA board’s final allocation.

Brown said the Merle Hay site is roughly a 75‑acre campus administered through a 28E intergovernmental agreement among Urbandale, Des Moines and Polk County. AECOM — a consultant that previously worked on the Downtown Urbandale master plan — will model retail and sports‑venue sales‑tax potential and deliver a draft report by mid‑June and a final report by June 30. The contract includes an optional $2,500 per‑person fee for in‑person presentations if requested.

Council members asked whether Urbandale would cover the consultant cost. Brown said Urbandale is paying the fee and described it as part of due diligence: the city has led the revitalization work for the west side of the mall campus and expects the analysis will better position the amended application with IDA staff. Brown estimated IDA would consider the updated analysis at a July meeting, depending on timing and staff review.

Council member discussion also touched on how the IDA previously allocated the region’s $100 million pool across multiple projects and that Urbandale’s original application received about a quarter of that sum. Brown said the new analysis will be independent and “clear‑eyed,” and the staff will accept whatever result AECOM produces and use it to inform next steps with IDA.

A motion to approve the resolution authorizing the AECOM contract passed on a council vote. Staff said the consultant agreement will be executed promptly so the study can meet the mid‑June timeline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Urbandale hired AECOM for $27,900 to update the sales‑tax economic analysis for the Merle Hay Reinvestment District, a study the city says is needed after changes to the project and to verify a previously allocated $26.5 million under the Iowa Reinvestment Act.","taxTitle","Urbandale, Polk County, Iowa","taxId",55398,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6246462,"Council approves Walnut Hill Elementary final plat cleanup to consolidate outlots",275,1740000,2015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78&start=1740&end=2015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78/thumbnail_1740000.jpg","/articles/6246462/Urbandale/Polk-County/Iowa/Council-approves-Walnut-Hill-Elementary-final-plat-cleanup-to-consolidate-outlots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246462-ccf2f475c24306bfb605a949c20b53b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175229&Signature=dWQOGXapEKH7Hkbsm7kkxcqToNPOLbBQ-phiag8XqYM84-xDNhkx~15lMt4Pscfp4C8nxWF1NZkLhyFcDr5zOqDGL3kz9Koz0eiqvrD4fY1fjaSTJ-MZpLxDQAPfNZMQUdgJFsNsvVmI1826DhxTMrzBm2cYtKwyB5SRFsVDVeOEbBszHquJ8PqmmkXbKghM~6hmtyA19U3Nj6ukTAtjbiPWYbZuOvIxmiyEtpFJDrdlhL0AJxPkZFpy-5KvCE5iTM2jMwkJud-4bJ4ZtAcFonBI9dqAfhc5rynUfoZxayLjJGgWENHuVDMLTTIraONpdki5zCS6If5LUqGYMQDHdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council approved a final plat and associated conditions at 4241 150th Street for Walnut Hill Elementary School on May 5, taking what staff described as a housekeeping step to consolidate roughly a dozen vertical outlots into one buildable lot.

Assistant Community Development Director Christy Bales told the council that the elementary school is under construction and that recent site‑work — including reconfiguring the north‑side bus drop‑off lane — revealed the earlier platting anomaly. Staff recommended approval subject to standard easements for an existing sanitary line and stormwater detention basins; the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval at its recent meeting.

Council members expressed support for the site improvements and asked whether the district would incur additional engineering or hearing costs; staff said typical permitting and easement descriptions will proceed and that school‑district processes will run on their schedule. A motion to approve the resolution subject to conditions carried on council vote.","The City Council approved a final plat to consolidate multiple outlots into a single buildable lot at the Walnut Hill Elementary School site to clear a 20‑year-old platting oversight and accommodate planned drop‑off lane improvements.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6246467,"CATCH Des Moines briefs Urbandale council; group says it generated $150 million in regional economic impact last year",745,95000,840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78&start=95&end=840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6246467/Urbandale/Polk-County/Iowa/CATCH-Des-Moines-briefs-Urbandale-council-group-says-it-generated-150-million-in-regional-economic-impact-last-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246467-fe5b0f9668df7d803cc3ddba19ebd2c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175229&Signature=C51b3ElLy0RZlNaYEGI2a-GkFu3uBL~mB0Qojrs-9xlEX4ld7AFeyRk6oW-~XegK~v-Uw6oYuodq4OUseUVRrCSN7hZvmLtX76THmx~yJGvei95E7~89Tk-zN0nM5qGtLqMSiUUT6s1pODBW47w3uqgqCdEUAMsHR~tGIK-VGP7-r~GdY2N1jJPS9rN~O61BNaBg4B8yTPg~drb7BA1qHzxMM~58L9CXw81eV-H2WtNy0BbyQt04Jv6GODYEgsfc1btvcP3yJ-FF~OFnoD8FInUD5f8A7ew5PTIX~ZpsTz0NM5ND0Plc2jcIjVo~YqeXFFNbV4iUoUitQNCj2X76uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Greg Edwards, chief executive officer of CATCH Des Moines, and his staff presented an overview of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau’s work and economic impact at the council meeting on May 5.

Edwards told the council that CATCH spends about 15% of its budget on administration and the remainder on sales, marketing and servicing events. He outlined a full events calendar that the bureau promotes — from the USA Academic Decathlon and the National Speech & Debate Tournament to World Pork Expo, Ironman, IndyCar, NASCAR and the Iowa State Fair — and highlighted multi‑day events that bring thousands of visitors to the metro.

Edwards said the bureau generated about $150,000,000 in regional economic impact last fiscal year and that CATCH supplied 74 leads to Urbandale hotels; 31 of those leads turned into events held in Urbandale and 33 were booked for future dates. He emphasized that both large national events and recurring regional or mid‑sized meetings support hotel occupancy and air service and that ongoing weekly groups (100–500 people) sustain the industry.

Local speakers at the meeting — including the mayor and several council members — thanked the CATCH team for its role in promoting the region and supporting local hotels, restaurants and small businesses. CATCH staff offered to return for a lunch‑and‑learn to present statewide economic impact and Safe Routes to School partnership opportunities referenced by other presenters.

The presentation was informational; no council action was required.","Representatives of CATCH Des Moines presented to the council about the convention and visitors bureau’s role and recent results, saying the organization generated about $150 million in economic impact to the metro, sent 74 leads to Urbandale hotels and booked dozens of future events.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6246472,"Urbandale advances first reading of ordinance to fund foundation‑drain disconnections; grants up to $3,500 proposed",1668,3792000,5460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78&start=3792&end=5460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78/thumbnail_3792000.jpg","/articles/6246472/Urbandale/Polk-County/Iowa/Urbandale-advances-first-reading-of-ordinance-to-fund-foundationdrain-disconnections-grants-up-to-3500-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246472-5b9c2c915e964150a2c29f634ec713e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175229&Signature=Uaj9KjJyczgXd4pa4r2HGZi0uCYd5qKGO5LiKyDyYEp4pjuA8Bk0w5QOcC1SgTP-QFs6Ivto88lZOtt5AF4xaSyV4kHvxQlTcuI2IUX15eMp7ii6x30RUuszS7vHkEwfdyO68OgwyDJ-Pi5YDqfO9gBGwMXQuUAJQS33j3DsJ-EybdQe5ROrX4KEMibbsR~~bKfx1gJL4EaO~xR77lxnXJY1x~eUgEvwjdKy2nuSa-KanBfga-f-ba2QidwZJuHq7OZWMfjY0jCdVtiu4327d9BKKS6~ynSEnFQPNpDouiE~wAcizl-fsrL3QNGuKZACS5c6LgPE2~b183DnFPGIWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urbandale City Council gave initial approval to an ordinance and an accompanying grant program on May 5 to accelerate disconnection of foundation (footing) drains now tied to sanitary sewers.

Assistant Director of Engineering Kristin Brostrom told the council the disconnects address a long‑standing infrastructure and environmental problem: foundation drains connected to sanitary sewers increase the volume the wastewater system must treat, contribute to backups during heavy storms and raise treatment costs for customers. Where new storm sewers are installed, the city wants property owners to disconnect footing drains from sanitary service, install a sump pump and discharge to the storm system instead.

Under the proposed program the council advanced on first reading, the city would reimburse 100% of eligible disconnect costs up to $3,500 per property. Brostrom said the proposed cost share is roughly $2,500 from the city and $1,000 from the sanitary sewer districts; the districts have budgeted for the contribution and will need to adopt similar ordinances or approvals.

The ordinance would trigger a timeline after the city notifies property owners in an impacted project area: a one‑year notice period with no fee, then a $50 per‑month fee assessed by the sanitary district for a second year if the property remains disconnected; after two years the noncompliance fee would rise to $100 per month. Brostrom said the code also permits municipal infractions if an owner refuses to comply.

Eligibility for the grant requires that a property be connected to sanitary service prior to approval; applicants would be required to obtain permits and close the building permit before reimbursement. The reimbursement process mirrors the city’s existing stormwater grant practice: owners typically submit contractor estimates and later submit paid receipts and a closed building permit for payment.

Council discussion focused on rental properties and enforcement: members asked how fees would be billed when tenants pay water bills and whether nonowner‑occupied parcels require different enforcement language. Staff said the fee would appear on the water utility bill and that municipal infractions are assessed against the property owner; staff agreed to refine language and report back on rental‑owner billing and enforcement options before second reading. Council members also raised the challenge of owners who cannot front the cost and asked staff to explore Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC) options and report on outreach to vulnerable households.

The council approved the ordinance’s first reading and the related council letter; staff said program funding is available in the current budget and will be administered with standard permit and reimbursement controls.","The council approved the first reading of an ordinance creating a Foundation Drain Disconnection Program that would reimburse property owners up to $3,500 (city $2,500, sewer district $1,000) to disconnect footing drains from sanitary sewers and route groundwater to storm systems; fees would be imposed for noncompliance after notification.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6246478,"Urbandale applies for IFA ‘Thriving Communities’ designation to boost housing project competitiveness",930,2864000,3794000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78&start=2864&end=3794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3217554-8138c28ee29f84ce9b8bc31b9d6f1a78/thumbnail_2864000.jpg","/articles/6246478/Urbandale/Polk-County/Iowa/Urbandale-applies-for-IFA-Thriving-Communities-designation-to-boost-housing-project-competitiveness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6246478-b5e0135291a0f43a182ba3747e5cf662/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175229&Signature=cRkGSwYY1aDiQqwBkOgXu8-scjj5~QFtCcF82c3E3Jp0IIfqafn8dolUwrYT9nIvkwJuFy42iLG4-zeMtjRXY50io-fk4-M-nG9wfvtQ5RnweDl0hT8ZNF7mC6O0P73JWcNfMDfjLyJZuuTKTI7iQsIaau3a7nFR4Gi0OcXgoTOJY6pd0sG3p~zgz7MFDhOte3esHe3sUilf-hvOP2bRb8zo5esRtc2sI5IORZjJxrX1gBat2pCSUhfGicP4LadikNhUp3WS4reg5x4QpSh5aQi9KdfgOnvDiUb8tY9z9acNpO0hluhgj3~2kaDOJVxZ3uULV1ZugtML5Lt3nsxlSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urbandale City Council authorized submission of an application to the Iowa Finance Authority’s Thriving Communities program on May 5, a designation the city says will give developers extra points when seeking several IFA funding sources.

Assistant City Manager Curtis Brown told the council the designation helps demonstrate to IFA that Urbandale is a reliable steward of investment and that points awarded to a designated community can improve the competitiveness of applications for programs such as low‑income housing tax credits and the state workforce housing tax credit.

Brown said city staff documented roughly $6 million in recent and forthcoming financial commitments — across the current and adjacent fiscal years — that support housing and redevelopment. The application lists targeted locations where developers would be eligible for bonus points, including a Douglas Avenue multifamily area (roughly between 106th and 109th streets, specifically 10841 Douglas) and a downtown site at the southeast corner of 70th Street and First Avenue (the Kading property) and nearby Stanbro parcels.

The city’s application also highlights partnerships with regional bodies and nonprofits, such as the Polk County Housing Trust Fund, the Dallas County Local Housing Trust Fund, the Mid Iowa Planning Alliance and local organizations that support housing access. Brown said Urbandale will submit the application by the May 12 deadline, expects a preliminary decision this summer and a final announcement in the fall; designated communities would make the extra points available to developers in calendar year 2026.

Council members asked about letters of support and staff said existing county resolutions are referenced and that staff could seek specific Polk County letters if time permits. The council approved the motion to submit the application and to name the mayor and the assistant city manager as official contacts for the program.","Urbandale submitted an application to the Iowa Finance Authority’s Thriving Communities program to earn application points that can help local housing projects secure state funding; staff said the city assembled roughly $6 million in recent and planned financial commitments and identified two targeted redevelopment sites downtown.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Urbandale hires AECOM to verify Merle Hay sales-tax allocation; city to cover $27,900 fee

Council approves Walnut Hill Elementary final plat cleanup to consolidate outlots

CATCH Des Moines briefs Urbandale council; group says it generated $150 million in regional economic impact last year

Urbandale advances first reading of ordinance to fund foundation‑drain disconnections; grants up to $3,500 proposed

Urbandale applies for IFA ‘Thriving Communities’ designation to boost housing project competitiveness