'World-class' project plans

Wed June 08 2005
Posted Jun 7, 2005
6,663

Central Iowa leaders want money to improve attractions, build trails By DONNELLE ELLER REGISTER BUSINESS WRITER June 8, 2005 About 180 Des Moines-area leaders visiting Washington, D.C., this week will meet with congressional leaders about making it safer for central Iowa residents to get around - whether they drive on roads, bike on trails or surf the Internet. Many of the projects that business, community and government leaders will seek money for are familiar: Interstate Highway 235 reconstruction, Science Center of Iowa programming and Principal Riverwalk development. But several projects are new to the agenda, including redeveloping a deteriorated Neal Smith Trail, expanding an electronic crime lab at Des Moines Area Community College and new exhibits at Blank Park Zoo. Susan Ramsey, a spokeswoman for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the business group organizing the trip, said improving the quality of life in central Iowa is key to attracting companies and creating jobs. "We want to pursue those projects that will make greater Des Moines a world-class community," she said. Trails have emerged as one of those projects. The Partnership will lobby for $4.6 million to widen and refurbish about 23 miles of the Neal Smith Trail, parts of which are two decades old. The group said cracks in the trail surface result in up to eight serious accidents each season. The group also proposes building trails from: • Downtown Des Moines Riverwalk to Summerset Trail in Carlisle, which connects with Indianola. Request: $2.4 million over three years. • Waukee to Perry to Herndon, along an abandoned rail line that's being purchased by the Dallas County Conservation Board. The 28-mile trail will create a small loop that connects with the existing Raccoon River Trail. Request: $7 million over three years. • Ankeny to Woodward, a 25-mile trail that will be built on an abandoned rail line being purchased by Boone, Dallas, Polk and Story counties along with several cities. The trail will be part of two larger paths being developed. Request: $6.8 million over three years. Ramsey said the appeal of trails is broad. "Whether you walk, jog, ride a bike, take your kid out in a stroller, trails bring so much more to your quality of life." Partnership leaders also will request $865,000 to redesign and reconstruct the public boat ramp at Saylorville Lake Marina, where new owners Dan and Tammy Stanbrough have invested $6 million in the marina operation. Tammy Stanbrough said the couple have revamped the restaurants, docks, slips and are providing new recreational services. The land the operation is on is leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The business group said the marina and ramp are key to recreation opportunities in central Iowa. The Partnership also is backing additions being planned at Blank Park Zoo: • The "Visiting Celebrity Animal" exhibit would provide visitors with information about visiting animals as well as insight into their countries of origin. Request: $2.4 million. • The AgZoo gives children a look at modern farming. Request: $1.6 million. A collaborative effort among several law enforcement agencies and the Des Moines Area Community College could provide police around the nation with a new way to train officers and fight online crime. Rob Denson, president of Des Moines Area Community College, said a group of law-enforcement agencies and college leaders are hoping to create curriculum to instruct students in computer forensics. Those students would learn, in part, from officers who are members of the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The group has established a lab called the Electronic Crime Institute at the college's Ankeny campus. Local, state and federal enforcement officers use the computer forensic lab to secure evidence to prosecute criminals. Denson hopes to expand that effort, with officers taking a role in lecturing to criminal justice students and providing lab experience. The college is requesting $5 million for the effort. Requests for appropriations Efforts during last year's Greater Des Moines Partnership's trip to Washington, D.C., resulted in about $31 million being returned to central Iowa for special projects. In addition, about $122 million was appropriated to rebuild the National Animal Disease Center in Ames. Among the projects that leaders are lobbying for this year: TRANSPORTATION $36.7 million: Southeast connector from Southwest Second Avenue to Southeast 14th Street; appropriation for four years. $32 million: Reconstruct the Interstate Highway 35-East First Street interchange in Ankeny. $20 million: Continued reconstruction of I-235. $5 million: Southwest connector from Iowa Highway 28 to Iowa Highway 5. $4.9 million : Help purchase land for a future runway at the Des Moines Airport. $3 million: Create an interchange at 105th Street (Alice's Road) and Interstate Highway 80. TRAILS AND RECREATION $9.1 million: Principal Riverwalk, which includes a pedestrian bridge, trail, gardens, ice skating plaza and other features. $4.6 million: Reconstruct nearly 23 miles of a deteriorated Neal Smith Trail. $865,000: Redevelop the Saylorville Marina public boat ramp. $100,000: Develop a long-term plan for regional trails. EDUCATION $14 million: World Food Prize Hall of Laureates and Convocation Center in downtown Des Moines. The headquarters will include a public museum, conference center and ceremonial hall. $1.1 million: Des Moines early childhood and preschool demonstration project. ARTS AND CULTURE $4 million: Blank Park Zoo's "Visiting Celebrity Animal" exhibit and a hands-on farm exhibition area. $1 million: Salisbury House renovation and restoration. $750,000: Science Center of Iowa for continued support of programs. Money for redeveloping the rundown Neal Smith Trail and attracting exhibits to the zoo are some of the additions to the proposal that Des Moines leaders are taking to Washington this week.