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 

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.”

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.