A recent redevelopment proposal may mean big changes near the Gray’s neighborhood, and subsequently more retail, event venues and living options near Gray’s Station.
Pro Iowa, the campaign working to bring professional soccer to Iowa, is now working with Krause+ real estate group, the City of Des Moines, Sherman Associates and environmental agencies to redevelop and revitalize the 65 acres to the west and northwest of Gray’s Station. A portion of the area would be environmentally remediated then house, what developers are calling, the Global Plaza and Iowa’s first professional soccer stadium, including large green spaces and ample parking.
Alongside those proposals are plans to add hotels, retail, and a mixed-use neighborhood as well as a Central Iowa Water Trail connector and access site off of the nearby Raccoon River, near the bridge to Gray’s Lake. The water trails aims at activating 150-miles of water ways in and around central Iowa with more than 80 access sites planned.
“The development is a wonderful compliment to projects we have in place,” said Will Anderson, Sr. Developer with Sherman Associates. “New connections and throughways will bridge existing and developing neighborhoods and unlock new opportunities for residents to live, work and play downtown.”
The soccer stadium has a scheduled groundbreaking in October of 2021 with the first kickoff coming in 2024. The stadium would host approximately 20 games a year with other events filling in throughout the year such as high school band/sports, concerts and more.
The proposal’s redevelopment would coincide with Phase Two and Three of Gray’s Station’s master planned community. Phase Two is anticipated to start by 2023. Hubbell Realty Company and Gray’s Station continue to work with the proposed developers keeping traffic flow, parking, and melding of the communities as top of mind.
The streets, cycle track and bike trails would connect with the Gray’s Station neighborhood and MLK Jr. Parkway, making pedestrian traffic a number one priority. The proposal also outlines redeveloping some of the Western Gateway neighborhood, which is a two-minute walk north from Gray’s Station.
To learn more about the proposed plan and stadium, visit uslproiowa.com.
