Winter Spring 2003

Vision for Metro West Corridor Becomes Clearer City secures $2.5 million for funding I-80 Interchange WINTER/SPRING 2003 VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2

Special Interest Articles: Waukee Receives Federal Earmark

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City Hires Consultant to Design Corridor

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Rendering of the north side of the future Alice’s Road/105th Street I-80 Interchange

University Widening Project Receives Funding 2 Neighbors Collaborate to Fund Infrastructure

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New Developments:

2/13/03 WASHINGTON, DC - Iowa Congressman Tom Latham has secured $2.5 million in funds to advance the future I-80 Alice’s Road/105th Street interchange project in Waukee and West Des Moines.

The funds were included in a fiscal year 2003 omnibus spending package approved

by Congress. Funds will be immediately available for the current fiscal year 2003.

Latham began work securing the funds included in the omnibus bill in 2002.

However, due to disagreements between the Senate and House leadership and the White House in 2002 the funds were placed on hold until a spending agreement was reached. “I am happy to have been able to secure these funds for this project that is so important to the people of Iowa,” said …Continued on page 4

Oberman Sworn In As New Mayor

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Burt Family Announces Development Plans

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Waukee Holds Grand Opening for Public Library

growing communities in the Des Moines Metropolitan area.

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New Office Park Planned For Waukee

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William Ludwig and Associates was retained by Waukee to assist the community in developing a plan through a series of meetings over a period of three months. Mr. Ludwig is a well respected Architect/Urban Planner in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area with experience extending back over a period of 35 years.

Waukee Retains the Services of Urban Planning Consultant Community Development Group develops land use plan for Alice’s Road Corridor

The Waukee City Council members approved the hiring of a planning consultant for the Alice’s Road Corridor at its March 17, 2003, City Council meeting. Members of the council believed that it was the next logical step toward the development of a corridor that will serve as the southern gateway for Waukee, servicing the fastest

The ultimate goal of the meetings was to develop a plan that would identify the type and mix of development that is desired for the Alice’s Road corridor. The study focused on the area between the future I-80 Interchange north to University Avenue. …Continued on page 5

W AUKEE C OMMUNITY D EVELOPMENT Did You Know…

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City Receives Over $500,000 for University Avenue Project Project will add an additional lane from 142nd to Waco Place

Dallas County remains the fastest-growing county in the State of Iowa. It grew by 3,472 residents, or 8.5 percent, between April 2000 and July 2002.

The first phase of the construction project will consist of finishing the five lane section from 142nd Street to Waco Place.

"The city's working relationship with Des Moines Metropolitan cities has never been better," said Waukee Director of Community Development Jody Gunderson.

"This funding award was a collaborative effort of the city's elected officials, city staff, and the representatives of the other MPO communities.

United States Census Bureau

Change In Households 1990 to 2000

The City of Waukee has been awarded $530,695 from the Metropolitan Planning Organization's Funding Subcommittee to be used for the widening of University Avenue.

Last year the city received $500,000 from the MPO for fiscal year 2005 after requesting $1,030,695.

Waukee has been a member of the MPO since 1993. This marks the second straight year the city has received funding for projects submitted to the MPO. "The city's ability to attract transportation funding can be attributed to a number of things, but most importantly it is the recognition of Waukee as the fastest growing city in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area," Gunderson said. Funding will be available to the city in fiscal years 2005 and 2006.

City Administrator Mark Arentsen said the project should take one construction season and should be finished in 2005 or 2006. He said the road will remain open as there will be two way traffic on the south half of the road.

Cities Collaborate on Construction of Water Storage Facility Facility will service property south to future I-80 interchange Cooperation between western metropolitan communities continues to benefit their residents. The Cities of Waukee, West Des Moines, and Clive recently announced a joint venture that will provide additional water capacity to the three communities.

The West Des Moines Water Utility had planned to build a 1 million gallon water tower south of University Avenue along Waco Place/98th Street in West Des Moines. Due to the growth in population in recent years, Waukee’s water storage capacity has been nearly exhausted; therefore, the community approached the WDM Water Utility with a proposal that would allow for capacity to be purchased through the proposed water tower project.

The City of Clive made a similar request.

As a result, the tower is now planned for 2.5 million gallons, 1 million each for WDM and Clive, and 500,000 gallons for Waukee. The capacity that Waukee has purchased will allow for service to be provided in the Alice’s Road Corridor south to the proposed I-80 Interchange.

W AUKEE C OMMUNITY D EVELOPMENT

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Oberman Sworn in as New Mayor of Waukee First time is the charm Oberman, who was the only mayoral candidate among three without municipal government or elected office experience, wasted no time catching up on city issues after the March 25 election. Before his first official meeting, he had met individually with council members and most of the heads of city departments.

Waukee’s new Mayor, Tony Oberman, was sworn in at the April 7, 2003 City Council Meeting. His wife, Karen, and his sons Jack, Henry and Max, participated in the ceremony. Oberman won the special election held March 25 to fill the remainder of former mayor Mark Leslie's term. Leslie resigned in January after accepting a position with a company headquartered in New York. "I look forward to serving as mayor," Oberman said. "I am extremely optimistic about the future of Waukee and I'm looking forward to being a part of its growth."

“Putting in long hours is something I have grown accustomed to over the years,” said Oberman. “I don’t believe that I am much different than many of the residents in Waukee…we all juggle busy family and work schedules.

Staying organized has helped me be productive at work, while staying active in my family’s activities.”

Oberman has a MBA from Iowa State University, and is the Director of Manufacturing for Monarch Manufacturing. “My employer has been very supportive of my duties as Mayor of Waukee”, said Oberman.

Dallas County News

Burt Family Announces Development Plans Group preparing for development along future I-80 Interchange Bradley L. Burt, representative of Burt Family Investment Group, met with Waukee city officials on May 2, 2003, and submitted a letter formally committing the investment group to the development of an office complex on their site adjacent to the future Alice’s Road I-80 Interchange in Waukee. Construction is scheduled to begin concurrently with the development of the interchange.

The Burt Investment Group has had their land use conceptual plan approved by the Waukee Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. The plan calls for development of mixed uses, predominantly office, on 175 acres.

The investment group is currently negotiating with CB Richard Ellis/Hubbell Commercial to partner on an office complex that would be located within the Berryington Lake Business Park.

What they’re saying About Waukee "There are communities that are much more active than others…Waukee is a benchmark for communities working for economic development.”

Congressman Tom Latham, commenting on Waukee during a visit to his district.

Dallas County News 1/22/03

"We're growing because the community is growing…In the last five or six years we've had a very long waiting list."

Trudy Clayton, owner and director Kid's Company Daycare Dallas County News 3/26/03

“It's ready to go…This is going to be a prime piece of ground in the next decade."

Bill Knapp II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Knapp Properties commenting on the Waukee property they will jointly develop with FBL Financial Des Moines Business Record 3/02/03

W AUKEE C OMMUNITY D EVELOPMENT Metro West Corridor…

Waukee’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt The Waukee Park and Recreation Department sponsored the annual Waukee Easter Egg Hunt on April 12. Hundreds of area kids came to meet the Easter Bunny and grab as much candy as their baskets would hold.

Latham, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. “This project is vital to assist the positive residential and commercial growth in this area of Iowa.”

Waukee’s Community Development Director, Jody Gunderson, was quick to

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acknowledge the efforts of Congressman Latham, and Senators Grassley and Harkin. “Waukee’s Congressional team have made a verbal commitment to assist Waukee and West Des Moines acquire federal funding for the development of this project…they are men who can be taken at their word.”

Grand Opening Held for Waukee’s New Public Library Iowa’s First Lady Christie Vilsack is guest speaker Waukee voters approved a $2 million bond in 2001 to pay for the structure. However, most of the furnishings and materials will be supplied by Friends of the Waukee Library, the Waukee Library Foundation and "generous community supporters."

The Waukee Public Library held its grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 12.

Iowa’s First Lady Christie Vilsack participated in the ribbon cutting for the new building. More than 100 people attended the event.

Joe Schmidt, who had been a member of the library Board of Trustees, also spoke at the ceremony. He said the state was undergoing a renaissance in new library construction. "I think we should be very proud of being part of that renaissance in Waukee," Schmidt said. "I think all of us will Other activities that day included a be proud of this later in life." During the performance by a sixth grade chorus, a flag ceremony, Jim Riordan of the Waukee raising ceremony, a Rotary Club, presented the "The library is the soul of woodcarving workshop library with a check for the

by Waukee resident Al Jolliffe, the community." final $5,000 of the $25,000 the and a performance by a number of club had pledged to donate for the library.

Waukee High School speech students.

The week leading up to the grand opening Christie Vilsack was the featured speaker also featured a number of activities, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "The library including a panel discussion of Waukee's is the soul of the community," Vilsack said, history by a number of long-time residents, echoing her quote that is engraved on the a bagpipe performance, and a number of outside of the building. book signings.

Dallas County News

"I thought everything went well," said Library Director Linda Mack. "I think the activities were enjoyed by a lot of people."

The library gave out 21 new library cards during the event, and handed out forms for several others. Mack said that since the new library building opened in March, they have on average issued four new library cards every day. There were a total of 211 new cards issued in March. "That's why we did this, so people would use the library more," Mack said.

W AUKEE C OMMUNITY D EVELOPMENT

Page 5 of 6 Interstate 80 Area Development

Planning Consultant Retained by City‌ The planning workshops were conducted to get input from a variety of groups and individuals knowledgeable about development and the community. The City wanted to ensure that there was a wide acceptance of the plan and the study's conclusions.

WORKSHOP ONE Saturday - March 22, 2003 - Waukee, Iowa This workshop brought together members of the City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Community Development Group. Other interested parties also attended and gave their input.

Successful developments in Minneapolis, Sioux City, and Coralville were reviewed as to their application to the Alice's Road Corridor. Locally, Birchwood Crossing at the 86th Street interchange, West Lakes, and the new Jordan Creek Town Center were also analyzed and discussed. Generally, the 'mixed-use' approach was favored along the corridor transitioning to residential to the east and west.

Greenbelt parks were recommended as a means to separate land uses that would integrate into the business park.

METRO WEST CORRIDOR th

Alice’s Road/105 Street

WORKSHOP TWO Monday - April 14, 2003 - Waukee, Iowa

WEST LAKES OFFICE PARK

Land owners and developers were the participants for this workshop. They gave their views on the idea of mixed-use and the intensity of development.

Developers stated that the quality of development should be high and the city should stand firm on design standards. Land owners wanted to make sure everyone was treated equally and that existing residents would be able to stay on their property.

Participants also favored landscaping and entrance designs as elements that should be implemented along the corridor.

WORKSHOP THREE Monday - April 28, 2003 - Waukee, Iowa Staff from surrounding communities and consultants attended this meeting. Jeff Rossate, Admistrator of Business Development for the Iowa Department of Economic Development, also participated in the discussion. He believes this corridor can be the next large statewide project for Iowa. Surrounding cities were very supportive of the plan and also recommended high standards for development.

Consultants concluded adequate infrastructure for development exists and can be provided on a timely basis.

JORDAN CREEK TOWN CENTER

The Waukee Community Development Group would like to express their gratitude to MidAmerican Energy for helping to underwrite this study.

W AUKEE C OMMUNITY D EVELOPMENT

City of Waukee

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Fooling Around in April: Annual Event Showcases Local Talent

230 Highway 6 Waukee, IA 50263 PHONE: (515) 987-4522 FAX: (515) 987-1845 E-MAIL:

jgunderson@waukee.org

Conductor Paul Huscher accompanied by the Waukee Big Band & Community Chorus.

Last April the Rotary Club sponsored the Fourth Annual “Fooling Around In April.”

Proceeds from the event benefited the Waukee Public Library and the Veterans Memorial. The event showcases the talents

of local residents and included musical and vocal performances, and comedy skits.

This event is one of the Rotary’s annual fund raising events.

Three Office Parks Planned for Metro Region

Contact Us on the Web www.waukee.org

CITY OF WAUKEE 230 HIGHWAY 6 WAUKEE, IA 50263

West Des Moines insurer FBL Financial Group and Knapp Properties recently announced plans to develop three new office parks covering more than 600 acres in the Des Moines area. One of those sites is located at the corner of Highway 6 and Alice’s Road in Waukee.

Both partners will be involved in financing and developing the projects. Knapp Properties will market and manage the projects once they are done. The partnership has already developed six other office parks. The first and most prominent project is West Lakes Office Park, the West

Des Moines office park with 2 million square feet of office space that includes the headquarters for Hy-Vee Food Stores and Wells Fargo Mortgage.

Des Moines Business Record

Community Development Board Chairman: Board Member: Board Member: Board Member: Mayor: Director:

Bill Peard Michelle Durand-Adams Darlene Stanton Jeff Mertz Tony Oberman Jody T. Gunderson