Lots of momentum in the neighborhood known as "Dogtown", located along and just south of the campus of Drake University, about 4 miles west of Downtown Des Moines. The university's president has been a big advocate of increasing economic vitality around the campus and has offered up block of university-owned land for sale to the private development community.
Here's a look at some of the project underway and proposed:
Home2Suites with first floor retail
2650 University Avenue- 135 apartments with first floor retail, starts this spring
Harkin Institute- A public policy/adovacy center that holds many documents from Senator Tom Harkin's long career in the legislature.
Merge Proposal- $70 million mixed-use housing and commercial redevelopment, will repurpose an old theater building.
Varsity Theater Building to be rehabbed.
