Author Archives: director

6th Avenue Corridor Streetscape Project

Phase I will be constructed in 2019 . Specific streetscape enhancements include a lane reduction to calm traffic, widened sidewalks, a multi-modal path to accommodate bicyclists, and bioretention cells to filter stormwater. Street trees, dedicated parking, bus shelters, benches, public art, and new lighting will be added. These core elements were identified during multiple rounds of community and stakeholder input.

For regular streetscape updates throughout construction, CLICK HERE to visit us on Facebook.

Core Goals
• Support community health - walkability & livability
• Create a positive physical environment for diverse small business growth and stability
• Enhance community pride of place
• Catalyze property improvements and redevelopment projects that foster an inclusive, vibrant, mixed-use, mixed income corridor and surrounding neighborhoods

Project Features
• "Complete street" design with "road diet" from five lanes to three
• Multi-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians with widened sidewalks on both sides of the corridor
• Designated parking
• Sustainable design elements including bioretention cells and permeable paving to filter stormwater
• Improved lighting, bus shelters, and street furnishings
• Street trees
• Public art

Preliminary Phase I Construction Timeline
March - May | East side of 6th Avenue between Hickman and College
June - September | West side of 6th Avenue between Hickman and College
October - November | New asphalt overlay, medians, intersections
Spring 2020 | Planting of street trees and bioretention cells

Project Match Investors To date, the 6th Avenue Corridor Urban Neighborhood Main Street Program has raised $1.3 Million in match funds for this three-phase $8+ Million streetscape project. Project investors include Mercy Medical CenterPolk County IowaBankers Trust CompanyPrairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & HotelCommunity Foundation of Greater Des MoinesThe Wellmark FoundationWells Fargo, and Iowa Great Places. Thank you!

6th Avenue Corridor MultiCultural Market

6AC_MultiCultural_Market_Just Logo 6th Avenue Corridor has launched an exciting new initiative - a MultiCultural Market! In 2015, the Market will run from August to November and will reopen in May of 2016 as a weekly or bi-weekly event. The MultiCultural Market features a diverse array of ethnic and multicultural products - textiles, artisan goods, food, and more! (Products will vary based on vendor availability.) The MultiCultural Market will be open the first Sunday of each month (August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1) at the grassy lot on the southwest corner of the intersection of 6th Avenue and Washington Avenue. As part of 6th Avenue Corridor's core mission to support business development within the area, this Market will allow emerging entrepreneurs an opportunity to develop their businesses and customer base. We also hope it will provide a fun place for residents and visitors to gather on a Sunday afternoon - creating connections, celebrating the growing multiculturalism of Des Moines, and showcasing all the wonderful assets of the 6th Avenue Corridor district. The cost to be a vendor is only $20 per Market and a table and 2 chairs will be provided to each vendor (if desired). We require no vendor insurance as our organization has secured a special policy that covers vendors. For questions about the MultiCultural Market, please call 515-314-4243 or email director@6thavedsm.org. If you'd like to join the planning committee, we'd welcome your input and ideas!  

Jazz in July 2015 – Join us on July 25!

Join us July 25th, 2015 as Jazz in July returns to 6th Avenue! 10479232_10153103533139012_8767693103427673470_n 6th Avenue Corridor’s Jazz in July showcases terrific bands, performances by local community groups, delicious food, a beverage tent, and kid's activities to entertain the whole family! Join us for a full day of fun and see all the exciting changes taking place on the north side of Des Moines! Best of all, IT'S FREE!!!   FEATURING: The New Bodies (3:00-4:00pm) Metro Mix Dancers (4:00-4:30pm) It's Complicated (4:30-6:00pm) Metro Mix Dancers (4:00-4:30pm) Damani Philips Trio featuring Sam Salamone (6:30-8:00pm) The Tarakis (8:30-10:00pm) WHAT TO BRING: Friends and family Lawn chairs or a blanket Sunscreen and/or bug spray Cash (We do not have an ATM on site, unfortunately) PARKING: Sixth Avenue will be closed to through traffic.  There is plenty of parking available on our side streets.  You can also park in the NFC parking lot (1912 6th Ave.) or at Moulton Elementary School (1541 8th St.)

Main Street Iowa Recognizes Outstanding Achievements by 6th Avenue Corridor

10648673_10153904175974012_8666872295135330101_o The annual Main Street Iowa Awards was held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center (Iowa Events Center) in downtown Des Moines. The event to recognize local Main Street projects, activities and volunteers was attended by more than 500 individuals representing communities across the state. Competitive nominations were submitted for 107 projects and activities within the five categories of design, economic restructuring, organization, promotion and overall program. Twenty-one projects received winner awards recognition and nine received honorable mention. 6th Avenue Corridor received the following state awards and special recognitions: Business Start-Up Success Story - C Fresh Market, Image Campaign - Litter Letter Project, Volunteer of the Year - Jason Harmer. The honors were presented by Governor Terry E. Branstad and Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). In addition to the competitive nominations, individuals, couples or co-chairs representing the 52 Main Street programs were recognized for their outstanding dedication and volunteer service. The program directors accompanied their volunteers on stage as they received their certificates. “In my 1985 Condition of the State address to the Iowa Legislature, I proposed finding the funds to create Main Street Iowa,” stated Governor Branstad. “We knew from the very beginning that Main Street was not a quick-fix solution, but rather an incremental approach to fostering positive change. In my travels across the state, I have seen the program at work in small towns, mid–size cities, urban centers and neighborhood commercial districts. It has had far greater impact than we ever could have imagined in 1985.” Of the awards, interim Executive Director Breann Bye remarked, "We're incredibly proud that the efforts of our businesses and volunteers have been recognized at a state-wide level. All of us involved with 6th Avenue Corridor feel the energy and momentum that has taken hold in our Urban Main Street District, and we were pleased to celebrate our accomplishments with other Iowans dedicated to improving their communities." 10646979_10153904176679012_2508781121972602453_n  11188171_10153904176729012_3747921635895408034_n  11203135_10153904175979012_6722779266539238252_n   10357812_10153904176404012_4833100358735608205_n

6th Avenue Corridor Welcomes new Interim Executive Director

March 25, 2015 The 6th Avenue Corridor Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Breann Bye as the interim Executive Director of the organization effective April 1st. Bye replaces the current director, Laura Peters, who recently announced her resignation. Peters has accepted a position as Assistant Planner with the City of Des Moines’ Neighborhood Development Department and will continue to work closely with partners and stakeholders in the area in her new role. 293531_10150872354060648_1534299834_nBye brings to 6th Avenue Corridor a strong background in community planning, project management, public facilitation, architecture, and graphic design. For the past four years Bye has served clients across the country and in Iowa as a professional planning consultant and President of Breann Bye + Associates. After graduating with dual master’s degrees from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning and Architecture, Bye and her family moved to a historic home on 6th Avenue. Bye immediately became an active volunteer for 6th Avenue Corridor and the River Bend Neighborhood Association. “Out of all the places in the country we could have moved, we chose 6th Avenue and Des Moines as our home. The energy and enthusiasm for this area of Des Moines was evident and infectious. I am deeply honored to be selected as the interim Executive Director for 6th Avenue Corridor and look forward to utilizing my professional skills and talents in service of such an incredible organization.” Bye steps into the Executive Director role at a pivotal time for the 6th Avenue Corridor. The Corridor was recently designated an Iowa Great Place by the Department of Cultural Affairs and awarded a $250,000 challenge grant for the 6th Avenue Streetscape Project. The project will implement much-needed safety and design improvements in the corridor. On March 23, the Des Moines City Council demonstrated further commitment to the corridor through its pledge of $150,000 for the acquisition and potential demolition of blighted buildings along 6th Avenue. Bye will also work to continue the organization’s support of existing businesses in the district and its efforts to attract new businesses and development to the corridor. 6th Avenue Corridor envisions a dynamic commercial and residential environment which embraces the rich diversity of the area. Aaron Todd, 6th Avenue Corridor Board President, commended the Board’s decision in selecting Bye as the new Executive Director. “Breann brings the right mix of skills that we need to maintain our positive momentum. Breann’s skills and passion will be vital assets as we continue to work with existing partners and reach out to new ones.” Further commenting on the leadership transition, Todd stated, “Our organization is incredibly grateful for Laura Peter’s leadership over the past few years and we look forward to working with her a new capacity. This is an exciting time for 6th Avenue Corridor.” Breann Bye, Bio Bye is a 2003 graduate of Smith College in Massachusetts and also earned dual master’s degrees from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning and Architecture in 2009. Bye is a native of central Iowa and has lived in River Bend for four years with her husband and two children. Bye has volunteered her time for a number of organizations including the 6th Avenue Corridor, the River Bend Neighborhood Association, the City of Des Moines Historic Preservation Commission, and the Mayor’s Task Force on Demolition Permits and Historic Preservation.

6th Avenue Corridor Designated an Iowa Great Place!

In January of 2015, 6th Avenue Corridor was designated an official "Iowa Great Place" by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The designation accompanies a $250,000 Challenge Grant and supports the planned streetscape improvements and redevelopment efforts in the one mile stretch from I-235 to the Des Moines River. “The City of Des Moines is excited to have the 6th Avenue Corridor designated as an Iowa Great Place,” said City Planner Kyle Larson, noting that this is the first time a City district has been recognized with the designation. “This project brought together a host of partners at the local, regional, state, and federal levels and once implemented will serve as a model neighborhood revitalization catalyst project.” “The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs commends the City of Des Moines and the 6th Avenue Corridor for their joint efforts to build and sustain more culturally vibrant neighborhoods,” Iowa Great Places Program Coordinator David Schmitz stated. “This streetscape and public art project recognizes the diversity and historic character of the 6 th Avenue Corridor as authentic local assets and lays the groundwork for future local and private investment.” Construction of the improvements remains a few years out, as City engineers are moving forward with detailed construction plans. The grant provides for a three-year funding window. 10926444_10153647061414012_5271408123459716093_n 10978486_10153655963964012_4932539229081378164_n 10469931_10153647055994012_749285660613304984_n 10410115_10153647058434012_8519930220559543766_n   Additional photos of the celebratory Open House can be view on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/6thavenuecorridor).