A New Intersection (Driving Experience) Is Coming To The DM Metro

November 24, 2015 by admin

Ever heard of a “diamond” intersection? Well, drivers are in for a completely new driving experience with the development of the new Grand Prairie Parkway interchange along Interstate-80 in Waukee.

So what is a “diamond” intersection exactly? This new kind of intersection is called a diverging diamond and first appeared in 2010. There are only 57 diverging diamond interchanges in the U.S., with three being in Kansas City.

When the light changes, traffic crosses onto what is traditionally known as oncoming lanes. Drivers can turn left on the onramp or continue straight to be diverted back to the southbound side of the road. The biggest advance is that those turning onto the highway don’t have to stop at a second signal.

If you are a visual person, check out this video from KCCI:

What do you think of this new “diamond” intersection and will it improve traffic?

City of Waukee Gets A New Look With A New Logo

November 18, 2015 by admin

Waukee… The Key To Good Living

After 42 years with the same logo, the City of Waukee announced yesterday evening that they will be rolling out a new brand identity.

The previous, purple and gold key-themed logo, was first introduced in 1973 as the winning design in a City-sponsored contest. However, for this logo redesign, the City partnered with advertising agency Flynn Wright to create a new brand strategy and position.

“Extensive research showed us that Waukee was top-of-mind among metro area respondents, and that people viewed it as a thriving, clean, family-friendly community with great schools and amenities,” said Waukee Mayor Bill Peard. “Based on that research and stakeholder feedback, we set out to update our brand to reflect Waukee’s many assets and to position it uniquely in the marketplace.”

The City of Waukee has selected an abstract composition in a rich color palette that features a “W” amongst intersecting lines to illustrate the various life paths you can enjoy in the community. The motto, “The Key To Good Living” remains as research indicated it truly encompasses the excellent quality of life in Waukee.

The new logo will be implemented on Waukee-branded signs, vehicles, apparel and other materials this month. Read the full press release for further details on the selection process.

myWaukee wants to know what you think of the new logo?

North of Hickman – Building Structures and Community

September 21, 2015 by admin

Neighborhood development in northern Waukee focuses on putting a school and a park at the heart of the area.

If you’ve driven north of the Waukee Hy-Vee or near Point of Grace Church lately, you’ve probably noticed the increased construction in the area. Prairie Crossing, The Landing at Shadow Creek, Fox Creek Estates, Brookridge and other neighborhoods in that square mile north of Hickman Road are being developed as part of the first major residential move for Waukee north of Hickman.

Major growth within this area began in 2005 with the Gracewood Development. When all is finished, it’s projected that 650 single-family homes, 300 townhomes and 1,000 multi-family units will be built.

A new elementary school will be located at the very heart of this area. Construction is already in progress on Grant Ragan Elementary, and it is slated to open in fall 2016. Waukee School District Superintendent Dr. David Wilkerson said there is a huge need for this school, which will have a capacity of 750 students.

“We’re very excited about the opening of Grant Ragan for the 2016-17 school year. It will ease crowding situations at several of our other elementary attendance centers,” said Wilkerson. “Additionally, as the area it serves continues to develop, we see Grant Ragan as a unifying force for the neighborhood creating a sense of community and unity in that area of the city and district.”

An 18-acre community park is planned to go in at the core of these neighborhoods as well, and that’s not all.

“An integrated trail system will tie all of these individual neighborhoods and developments together,” said City of Waukee Development Services Director Brad Deets. “It will connect all of the developments to the centralized park and school, and it will provide connections to the Raccoon River Valley Trail and eventually the Clive Greenbelt Trail.”

The area is already filling in with people excited about the future. Julie Boulden moved into a brand new house with husband Ben and son William in January. She says the development around her happened faster than she expected, and she’s looking forward to seeing the continued progress.

“Everyone around us is really friendly,” Boulden said. “There are so many kids living nearby. It’s going to be great having them grow up next door to each other. There’s a real sense of neighborhood comradery already.”

Boulden said her family chose Waukee in part due to the great school district. She says the addition of Grant Ragan and the new park in the area are huge pluses. She is also enjoying the convenience of her new location.

“I think we have everything we need here,” she said. “We have parks, schools, grocery stores, restaurants and so on. The only thing I’m missing is better Interstate access, but I know that will happen soon with Grand Prairie Parkway.”

Grand Prairie Parkway is expected to open in late fall 2015 which will give Waukee residents a direct path to Interstate 80.

More than 100 acres of commercial development are also planned for northern Waukee. Commercial and residential development is expected to be wrapped up in that area by 2020.

No Stone Unturned

July 3, 2014 by admin

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Kettlestone to Offer Waukee Residents World-Class Shopping, Trails and More

A new town center is coming to Waukee unlike anything residents have experienced in Central Iowa before. Kettlestone, an innovative mixed-use neighborhood where visitors will find everything from world-class shopping, dining and entertainment to expansive parks, ponds and trails, is currently in development in a 1,500-acre area between University Avenue and I-80. Kettlestone will serve as a unique tourist attraction as well as a favorite hometown hangout, all nestled within the beautiful Waukee landscape.

Thanks to more than a decade of strategic planning by the City of Waukee, Kettlestone will be a development where Waukee residents will live, work and relax, all in the same place. Native plants, water features and open areas will provide a host of amenities and activities that will keep Waukee residents active and entertained.

“Kettlestone will have a positive impact on Waukee and the metropolitan area,” said Mayor Bill Peard. “It will provide residents and visitors with retail and personal services, miles of trails that meander among the many ponds, and career opportunities in new businesses.”

Greenways

Greenway-small As many cities have found, greenways provide a number of positive amenities to a community including walkability, accessibility and a framework to manage storm water. The City of Waukee embraced this concept with a design focused on greenways that will elevate the quality of life in Waukee.

“Healthy lifestyles, family-oriented recreation and a connected community are all by-products of greenways done well,” said Waukee City Administrator Tim Moerman.

The greenbelt that will run through Kettlestone will utilize the native Iowa plants and grasses that once covered the entire area. These hardy, deep-rooted plants attract wildlife, reduce flooding, filter water and recharge the ground water system – in addition to creating beautiful community recreational areas. A series of linked trails will connect all of the open and retail spaces so that once a resident or visitor leaves their home or car, they won’t have to return until they want to.

Pedestrian Underpasses

In order to ensure easy travel for recreational trail users, the City of Waukee integrated three locations where the trails will pass under the future Grand Prairie Parkway. One is located midway between University and Westown Parkway; one is midway between Westown and Ashworth Road and the third is between Ashworth and the new interchange at I-80.

“We want to make it easy for our residents to get to Kettlestone and travel through the development, whether they’re coming by foot, bike or car,” said Mayor Peard. “These pedestrian underpasses will connect to our Waukee trail system, which then connect to the regional trail system, allowing access to visitors from across Central Iowa.”

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Pedestrian Plaza and Amphitheater

The heart of the pedestrian experience at Kettlestone will be an open-air plaza where street festivals can flourish. It could also feature a splash pad that doubles as an ice skating rink in the winter, encouraging recreation and allowing for year-round family activity.

A future regional amphitheater is another example of how Kettlestone’s design will bring architecture and landscape design together to create spaces that are both attractive and functional. The natural bowl-like shape layout of the Sugar Creek basin will make the perfect location for the amphitheater. Thanks to the large size of the area, the venue will seat thousands of people. With the backdrop of water and the wooded north shore, the area will become a regional attraction.

“Kettlestone will offer the opportunity for increased community in Waukee,” said Moerman. “The possibilities for events of all kinds are endless and we are excited for the future.”

For updates and news about Kettlestone and its progress, visit www.kettlestonewaukee.com.