Under Construction: Heritage Park

May 6, 2016 by admin

New Heritage Park Retail Opening on Hickman Road

New construction has a way of popping up overnight. Where there was once a patch of empty land, suddenly there’s a place to meet with things to do, buy and eat. Waukee residents will notice such new construction as they drive down Hickman Road. One new building is going up in front of Life Time Fitness and another next to Kum & Go in Urbandale.

The two buildings, collectively known as Heritage Park Retail, will have plenty of room for business development in the 8,125- and 7,425-square-foot spaces. Collectively, the buildings are designed to host nine different businesses.

According to Jeffrey D. Stanbrough, CCIM, CPM, of Stanbrough Realty Company, the outside shells of the buildings should be done in about two months, but tenant improvement—the interior development of the storefronts—has already begun.

First on the list of new businesses is the “freaky fast” Jimmy John’s, perfect for a quick sandwich or lettuce wrap (and let’s not forget the cookies). A joint venture of Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels will come together for a caffeine and carb-filled storefront. There will also be a nutrition store, offering a myriad of health products, and Fresh Fit Meals, which will serve up nutritious meals to-go or for on-site consumption.

There’s still time for new businesses to lay claim to the hot spot, but interested buyers should act fast. “We expect the building to fill up pretty quickly,” said Stanbrough. “It’s right off the interstate and on a highway, and it’s in the middle of everything.”

Plus, with two large monument signs marking the shops, it will be hard to drive by without swinging through. Ninety-four parking spaces have been allocated for the development, ensuring plenty of convenient parking for visitors.

Grand Prairie Parkway Now Open

December 28, 2015 by admin

Grand Prairie Parkway: New Gateway to Waukee Alleviates Traffic and Opens Doors for Development

After 15 years of planning, budgeting, designing, and constructing, the $50 million Grand Prairie Parkway roadway and interchange project was completed and opened to the public on Dec. 1.

City of Waukee officials, staff, and business leaders gathered on its opening day with counterparts from the City of West Des Moines and the Iowa Department of Transportation to celebrate the accomplishment of the collaborative project.

Former U.S. Congressman Tom Latham, who played an integral role in securing federal funding for the roadway, spoke at the gathering. “This is going to change the whole community—the whole region. It will have a tremendous impact,” said Latham. “I’m so glad to see what we worked on for years and years finally completed and being used.”

Waukee Mayor Bill Peard admits it was an emotional day for all invested in the project. “I’ve served as either Waukee Mayor or on the Waukee City Council since 1998. Bringing this new gateway to Waukee has been a high priority during that time. Waukee city councilmembers, legislators, staff members, and I worked very hard to make Grand Prairie Parkway a reality,” he said. “To say I was proud as I first traveled on it would be an understatement. It was a monumental day for the City of Waukee.”

The 2.25-mile Grand Prairie Parkway has already seen its share of users since opening day. Early traffic counts from Foth Infrastructure & Environment show 8,000 drivers traveled the corridor on day one, and usage is expected to grow.

Another study has already shown decreased traffic on previously burdened roads like Jordan Creek Parkway and Hickman Road.

While some were nervous about the new diverging diamond interchange design, most drivers seem to be catching on quickly. “The design of the diverging diamond is a game changer—smart and efficient—and it is our first new option for heading to work,” said Waukee resident Tom Buckmiller. “Hickman and especially

University have been so congested during the commutes recently. Grand Prairie Parkway is a great alternative with fewer traffic lights, less traffic, and less stress.”

Waukee resident Missy Welch agreed. “It shaves about seven minutes off my commute to work,” she said. “Plus, I’m looking forward to seeing which businesses and other things pop up along the way.”

She’s not the only one. “Some may look at this as the end of a project, but this is only the beginning,” said Peard. “This opens up Waukee to the world, and we’re already receiving positive feedback from developers. Over the next several years, the Kettlestone area will start to take shape and should really improve Waukee residents’ access to jobs within the city, as well as to fine dining, new retail, personal services, and more.”

While drivers get used to the new roadway and interchange, they can anticipate the continuation of South Grand Prairie Parkway as a new direct connection to West Des Moines, as well. Construction is currently underway for the roadway portion south of the I80 overpass. City of West Des Moines officials anticipate a completion date of late fall 2016.

Up Next: Widening Alice’s Road

Even before the addition of Grand Prairie Parkway, the widening of Alice’s Road was on the radar of City of Waukee officials. It is now a priority in the Waukee City Council’s fiveyear Capital Improvement Plan.

Phase One of this multiyear project will include the widening of Alice’s Road from University Avenue to SE Olson. Based on the financing structure of city bonds, funding for Phase One will become available in the spring of 2018.

Phase Two will include the portion from SE Olson Drive to Hickman Road, with funding becoming available in the spring of 2019. A trail underpass is also planned to be constructed just north of SE Olson. The entire project is estimated to cost $15 million.

Alice’s Road will remain open during construction. It is the city’s goal to have ongoing communication with citizens about the timing of this project and any traffic inconveniences.

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?

Under Construction: Hawthorne Plaza Expansion

May 20, 2015 by admin

Photos by Laura Wills Photography

With the addition of a new building, Hawthorne Plaza will be expanding into an 85,000-square-foot complex.

Located at 9250 University Avenue in West Des Moines, the newly constructed 29,000-square-foot space will house multiple tenants. According to Andy Hodges, Vice President of Signature Real Estate, the new building will include a retail location for CenturyLink and two new restaurants. Both restaurants will use state-of-the-art technology to bring fresh concepts to metro diners.

Slated to open in the spring of 2015 as of press time, 7 Stone Pizzeria will occupy a 2,300-square-foot space. The owner, Kara Horn, has a long personal history with pizza. She previously owned a pizza franchise in northeast Iowa and decided to go her own way in order to branch out and get more creative with her own ideas. After looking for about a year, Horn settled on this location. “I really like the area, and the timing for it was good,” she said. The name of the restaurant is in homage to Horn’s roots; her previous store was located at 7th Avenue in Cedar Rapids.

The pizzeria isn’t just your average pie place, either. Although they will have a traditional oven, the kitchen will also be equipped with a high-tech Italian oven that uses both gas and electric heat to cook pizzas on a constantly rotating stone. They’ll serve up pizzas made with house-made ingredients, and wine and craft beers will also be available.

The other new restaurant, Guttenburgers, will specialize in—you guessed it—burgers. “We chose this location because the surrounding area is growing very rapidly,” explained Manager Rob Riley. When searching for sites, Riley recognized a need for more diverse dining options in the area. “We think this is going to be a very high-traffic area and a very close-knit community, and we want to be a part of that,” said Riley.

Guttenburgers will also use new technology to cook a better burger. As Riley explains it, most burger restaurants throw their patty on a flat-top griddle or a grill, which causes the meat to lose weight and size. In contrast, they’ll be using a method that combines heat and steam, resulting in a perfectly cooked, juicy burger. They’ll use Black Angus beef bought locally, and their menu will feature some unusual creations. Take, for example, the Bluff Top Orchard Burger, which features a locally bought Black Angus burger topped with cinnamon, apples, and bacon, and is finished off with brie cheese and a touch of garlic mayo.

As a family-friendly place, Guttenburgers will offer sundaes, milkshakes, malts, and floats made with 24 different flavors of house-made ice cream. There will also be a spacious outdoor patio for those who prefer al fresco dining, and diners will be able to watch the game on several 60-inch TVs with Bose surround sound.

It seems Waukee and West Des Moines will continue to evolve. “University Avenue is a strong corridor for retail office space, and that particular area is one of the faster growing areas in the state of Iowa,” explained Hodges. “It’s in a great location, given the growth that Waukee and West Des Moines are seeing.”

Under Construction: Saints Pub + Patio

September 9, 2014 by admin

saints_pub-under_construction

The Des Moines area’s fourth Saints Pub + Patio will open in early September at 87 NE Carefree Lane in Westwood Plaza. Like the other Saints Pub + Patio locations, it will offer an outdoor patio, numerous flat-screen televisions with expansive sports programming, and a full menu with many made-from-scratch items.

Scott Anderson and Marc Mundt, lifelong friends from the Ottumwa area, are the masterminds behind the Saints concept, which has grown to nine locations throughout Des Moines, Omaha and Kansas City. “We’ve been looking for a Waukee location for some time,” said Anderson.

Formerly Legacy Sports Bar & Grill, the space is undergoing a complete renovation, both inside and out. The parking lot has been expanded to 265 spaces and a pass-through has been added to the neighboring Taco John’s. A traffic signal was approved at the intersection of Dartmoor Drive and Hickman Road and will be completed by the fall of 2015.

Inside, a new main bar was built facing the inside wall with a granite top and real brick. Seventeen 60-70” flat-screen TVs will line the walls. The outside wall is transformed into an open-air community patio bar with seating both inside and outside with a bar height 40”-wide granite top and features two glass garage doors that will lift up from the center.

“The patio is important and we’re more than doubling its size. It will be enormous,” said Anderson.

About half of the patio will be covered by a metal awning, which will be installed by next spring. The uncovered patio space will be lined with 42” light pillars every eight feet to create a festive atmosphere. Eight patio TVs will be tuned to sporting events, and live bands will perform on the patio at times, as well.

Every Saints Pub + Patio offers a full menu, including burgers, tenderloins, wraps, paninis, salads, appetizers, and the popular Saints Chicken Sandwich. Breakfast will be served on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9 am – 1 pm. Each location also features its own daily food and drink specials. This new Waukee location will offer a $1.50 slider special on Wednesdays and $1 taco Tuesdays.

Hours will be 11:00 am – 2:00 am on weekdays and 9:00 am – 2:00 am on the weekends.

Saints Pub + Patio is only one of the concepts owned by Anderson and Mundt’s business, Riley Drive Entertainment (which is named after the street they both lived on just outside of Ottumwa). They also own Tonic Bar (with locations on Court Avenue and in West Glen) and Beaver Tap in Beaverdale. Johnny Robb joined Anderson and Mundt as partners for the Saints Pub + Patio in Waukee and Beaverdale as well as Beaver Tap.

Under Construction: Hawthorne Plaza Phase II

July 2, 2014 by admin

Phase II of Hawthorne Plaza, the 30-acre development on University Avenue between 92nd Street and 98th Street, is scheduled to be complete in mid-August.

(Phase I was completed in 2008 and its current tenants include Jethro’s BBQ ‘n Jambalaya, American Trust & Savings Bank, State Farm Insurance, Elite Eyecare, Full Circle Child Development Center and RE/MAX.)

About half of the space in the new 30,000-square-foot Phase II addition has been leased, and several more businesses are in negotiations, according to Andy Hodges of Signature Real Estate Services. Occupants of Phase II will include Power Life Yoga, Mixed, Rita’s Italian Ice and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches.

Power Life Yoga offers classes designed to sculpt a strong and healthy body and mind for participants of all experience levels. Its studios are larger than traditional yoga studios, its instructors are trained and certified by the most prestigious yoga studios in the world, and its facilities feature lockers, showers and changing rooms.

Power Life Yoga is owned by Adam and Stephanie Geneser, both of whom are Des Moines natives and Valley High School alumni. “This isn’t your mother’s yoga,” said Adam Geneser. “We make it fun, with good music and a fun environment.”

This will be the fourth Power Life Yoga location – all of which are located in the Des Moines area. One is scheduled to open in July on 86th Street in Johnston, and others are located downtown on Ingersoll Avenue and in the West Glen Town Center on Mills Civic Parkway. Full access to all four studios is included with all memberships and class package purchases, and anyone signing up for the first time with Power Life Yoga receives a free week of classes.

Geneser said that he anticipates an October opening date for the Waukee studio.

Mixed is a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in fresh, made-to-order salads, wraps and paninis. Customers can choose from more than 45 toppings and 27 dressings and watch while staff members chop, mix and build their order. Mixed also follows strict practices to keep its operations as green as possible, including the use of compostable, recyclable and/or reusable cups, containers, plasticware and napkins. This will be Iowa’s first Mixed restaurant.

The restaurant will be owned by Mike Hopson, a lifelong Iowa resident who grew up in Chariton. After a 30-year career in finance, he decided to try something new.

“As soon as I heard about the Mixed concept, I knew it would be a great new healthy eating option for the Des Moines area,” said Hopson. “Mixed doesn’t use grease or fryers. Everything is fresh, and the options are healthier than those you would find at a typical fast-casual restaurant. Also, the chicken is free-range and antibiotic-free.”

Hopson’s son, Brad, who has previous restaurant experience, will be running the store’s daily operations.

Hopson is planning to open the store on September 1st. Shortly after the opening, it will be running a Grand Opening special of $5 for any salad, wrap or panini.

Rita’s Italian Ice is the world’s largest Italian Ice concept with more than 600 franchised stores. Founded over 30 years ago, it offers a variety of treats, including its famous Italian Ice – which is made fresh daily with real fruit and available in over 65 flavors – as well as old-fashioned frozen custard, sundaes, light custard, frozen custard cakes, custard cookie sandwiches and more. This will be Iowa’s first Rita’s Italian Ice store.

Its owners, Darrell Cook and his wife, Anne E. Winslow-Cook, both US Navy retirees, stumbled upon a Rita’s Italian Ice store while on a family sightseeing trip in Philadelphia a few years ago. “With one bite, I couldn’t believe we had never tasted anything like Rita’s before,” said Cook. “We had been looking for something to own, and I just knew we could bring this amazing cool treat to Iowa,” he said. He and his wife, now area developers, plan to open several stores in the Des Moines area.

The Waukee store is scheduled to open in mid- to late July, and will be giving away free Italian Ice as a Grand Opening special shortly after the Iowa State Fair ends in August.

Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches has more than 1,000 locations throughout the U.S. Its sandwiches are made with fresh-baked bread that’s made in-house every day and meats and vegetables that are sliced fresh in-house every day. This will be the 17th Jimmy John’s store in the Des Moines area, and the second in the Waukee area.

Under Construction 1352 E. Hickman Road Waukee

May 29, 2014 by admin

The Shoppes at Williams Pointe, a new 18,000-square foot upscale retail center, is scheduled to open in mid- to late June at 1352 East Hickman Road in Waukee.

construction-8-edit Occupants of this new center will include Louie’s Wine Dive, The Draught House and Polished Nail Salon. Three additional businesses are currently in negotiations for space within the center as well, according to Darin Ferguson, founder of Ferguson Commercial Real Estate Services.

“We are very excited to open this new location,” said Corey Gonzalez, one of the owners of Louie’s Wine Dive. “It will have a new, but similar look to the other location (at 4040 University Avenue in Des Moines). We call it ‘Version 2.0.’ It will be bigger, and it will have a private dining room for special events like wedding rehearsal dinners. It will be quaint, cozy, comfortable and fun. It will have local food, strong value, high quality, and honest ingredients,” said Gonzalez. “And, we’ll open any bottle of wine for anyone who will drink two glasses.”

The Draught House will be similar to 1908 Draught House in Johnston and Buffy’s Draught House in West Des Moines – which means it will offer around 20 different beers on tap as well as outstanding food and service. (The full name of the Waukee location will be finalized soon.) All three locations are owned by Tom Baldwin Jr.

According to Ferguson, the center’s location on Hickman Road between SE Waco Place and SE Brick Drive, is very appealing for businesses because it offers the high traffic volume of Hickman Road – more than 23,000 vehicles per day, according to a 2012 study – as well as two full access points from SE Stone Ridge Drive. The upcoming addition of traffic signals at SE Waco Place, next to Stivers Ford, will also be beneficial.

“We are hopeful that these new options will encourage Waukee residents to enjoy a night out on the town closer to home,” said Ferguson.