Backers of a proposal to build a professional soccer stadium complex on a contaminated site near the Raccoon River have expanded their vision to include redeveloping the surrounding area with hotels, housing, commercial spaces and entertainment districts.
Pro Iowa, a campaign to bring profession soccer to Iowa, along with the real estate arm of Krause Group and the city of Des Moines, plan to use sales and hotel-motel taxes generated from the Iowa Reinvestment Act to help pay for the $535 million project that would include 29 separate projects.
The centerpiece of the ambitious redevelopment plan would be construction of a professional soccer stadium that would be located on six acres at the former Dico Inc. site at 200 S.W. 16th St. In 1983, the site was added to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund list. Immediately surrounding the proposed stadium would be what’s being called the Global Plaza, parking for about 500 vehicles, a hotel and additional soccer fields as well as access to the Raccoon River.
“On this activated plaza space is where we see new spaces for our heritage festivals – it’s where we can build an environment that would be a new home for those events that happen in our community every year,” said Danny Heggen, development manager for Krause+, Krause Group’s development arm.
Pro Iowa and Krause+ are expected to provide additional details of their proposed project during a Des Moines City Council workshop on Monday morning. The proposal and a development agreement with Krause+ are also expected to be discussed at Monday’s council meeting.
This article was originally published on February 2, 2021 on the Business Record website. Read the full article here.
