Weekly Update 04/26/2026

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SeaTac-Des Moines Creek Trail Park, just south of 200th St. on 18th Ave

This week’s update covers several Des Moines topics including a reminder about Future Agendas for tracking City Council items, a spotlight on TakeOutDesMoines.com’s six-year effort to promote local restaurants, and news about the state’s eBike Rebate lottery program opening a second application round. The recap of last week’s City Council meeting highlights concerns about groundwater flooding from Pacific Middle School construction, an overview of Human Services funding challenges, and the Council’s decision to reconsider rejecting a grant for the 223rd Street redevelopment project.

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Weekly Update 04/19/2026

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Midway Park Soccer Field proposal

This week’s update covers several Des Moines topics including a reminder about Future Agendas for tracking City Council items, a spotlight on TakeOutDesMoines.com’s six-year effort to promote local restaurants, and news about the state’s eBike Rebate lottery program opening a second application round. The recap of last week’s City Council meeting highlights concerns about groundwater flooding from Pacific Middle School construction, an overview of Human Services funding challenges, and the Council’s decision to reconsider rejecting a grant for the 223rd Street redevelopment project.

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Weekly Update 04/12/2026

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This week’s update covers several Des Moines topics including a reminder about Future Agendas for tracking City Council items, a spotlight on TakeOutDesMoines.com’s six-year effort to promote local restaurants, and news about the state’s eBike Rebate lottery program opening a second application round. The recap of last week’s City Council meeting highlights concerns about groundwater flooding from Pacific Middle School construction, an overview of Human Services funding challenges, and the Council’s decision to reconsider rejecting a grant for the 223rd Street redevelopment project.

... continue reading.

Weekly Update 04/05/2026

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Last week’s Des Moines City Council meeting included discussions on permitting software improvements, amenity rental approval systems, and capital projects like the 223rd Street stormwater initiative, while highlighting ongoing challenges with long-term planning and the city’s tendency to over-complicate projects rather than address fundamental needs. Key community items include the Blake Island Master Plan survey, a Des Moines Historical Society cruise in July, and the second round of Washington’s e-bike rebate lottery program. JC reflects on how the city’s slow-walking of major projects like the Marina has significantly increased costs over decades and urges the Council to focus on practical solutions rather than grandiose visions.

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Weekly Update 03/29/2026

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This week’s update covers multiple civic items including a salmon fry update at the Marina, Blake Island’s future planning, and an eBike rebate lottery, while highlighting a key City Council meeting featuring an economic development presentation that reveals concerning gaps in how the city prioritizes development based on short-term revenue rather than long-term resident benefits. The author emphasizes the need for better representation of working-age families in civic leadership and the critical but often-ignored impact of Sea-Tac Airport on all city development decisions. Regional transit discussions also underscore Des Moines’ ongoing fiscal challenges and the disproportionate resources allocated to cities containing major infrastructure like the airport.

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Weekly Update 03/22/2026

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This week’s update covers multiple civic items including a salmon fry update at the Marina, Blake Island’s future planning, and an eBike rebate lottery, while highlighting a key City Council meeting featuring an economic development presentation that reveals concerning gaps in how the city prioritizes development based on short-term revenue rather than long-term resident benefits. The author emphasizes the need for better representation of working-age families in civic leadership and the critical but often-ignored impact of Sea-Tac Airport on all city development decisions. Regional transit discussions also underscore Des Moines’ ongoing fiscal challenges and the disproportionate resources allocated to cities containing major infrastructure like the airport.

... continue reading.