River Bend Neighborhood

The 6th Avenue Corridor through River Bend and Cheatom Park has been designated an Urban Neighborhood Main Street District by the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Businesses, nonprofits, and residents in the River Bend Neighborhood will work with the state over the next two years to organize a business association, connect property owners to historic preservation resources, brand and market the corridor and its businesses, and push the streetscape project forward.

The first major meeting regarding the program will occur on June 16. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the program and how neighbors and business owners can get involved to ensure that the Corridor continues to improve and local businesses prosper.

More information about the “Urban Main Street District” designation, and the Sixth Avenue Corridor in particular, are found in this  Business Record article.

River Bend Regular Monthly Meeting:
Monday, May 11, 7:00 PM
Salvation Army at 6th Avenue and Forest Avenue
Enter via north door (facing Forest Avenue).

The speakers are Jordan Homer from the Des Moines Human Rights Commission, who will discuss volunteering for the fair housing project. Shallee Keenan from the Des Moines Neighborhood Resource office will talk about the services they offer.

The River Bend Neighborhood meets the second Monday of each month.

A sad old hotel in Sausalito, California

The Des Moines Rehabbers Club is looking for nominations of the community’s “most endangered buildings.” Individuals, neighborhood groups, or businesses may submit their suggestions.

Eligible for nomination are buildings in danger of demolition, or which are suffering from neglect, but are not so far gone that they are beyond repair or rehabilitation. Endangered buildings could be residential or commercial (or public) buildings, and may be of any size.

Nominating forms are available on the Rebabbers’ website and are due by September 22.

The seven most endangered buildings will be announced by the group in mid-October.  The organization holds monthly meetings and aspires to “promote neighborhood revitalization and restoration of Des Moines’ unique building stock by informing, educating, inspiring, and supporting each other in all phases of home renovation and maintenance.”

lillies from our backyard in the River Bend Neighborhood

From the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department:

9th Annual Fall Perennial Divide

Help renew and beautify Des Moines by donating plant divisions to community garden groups such as schools, neighborhood associations and shelters who plan, plant, and maintain community vegetable and ornamental gardens.

Saturday, September 6th, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Bring donations to the City’s Greenhouses
2501 Maury

Donate healthy, non-diseased plants.  If known, please label your plant and identify its sun requirements, height, and color.  No donation is too small!

Perennials that are best to divide in the fall include daylily, yarrow, coreopsis, artemesia, astilbe, ajuga, blanket flower, veronica, salvia, peonies, bellflower, spring bulbs, and herbs.

Volunteers needed, call 323-8907

Des Moines’ Parks and Recreation Department coordinate perennial divide days twice each year in May and September.

Plan on attending the next River Bend Neighborhood Meeting.

• When/Where are meetings held?
  Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7pm at the Salvation Army building at 1330 6th Ave. (Map)
• Who can attend?
  Everyone is welcome to attend, and there’s no charge. If you want to become a member, which gives you rights to vote for the Association board, the cost is $10 per person per year.

Plan on attending the next River Bend Neighborhood Meeting.

• When/Where are meetings held?
  Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7pm at the Salvation Army building at 1330 6th Ave. (Map)
• Who can attend?
  Everyone is welcome to attend, and there’s no charge. If you want to become a member, which gives you rights to vote for the Association board, the cost is $10 per person per year.

While the River Bend Neighborhood was largely untouched by the 2008 Des Moines flood, surrounding areas were hit hard.

The Birdland area, north of River Bend, flooded when Des Moines river levies broke:

Flood waters engulfed North High School’s stadium:

In addition to the flooding on the North side of River Bend, flood waters nipped at the neighborhoods East edge.

At 2nd and University on Friday, water erupted from manhole covers, creating a surreal fountain that sent floodwaters towards businesses on the North side:

In conjunction with National Police Week, the Des Moines Police Department will be hosting an Open House on Saturday,  May 17th, from 8:00 AM—Noon.

Police equipment from DMPD, other area agencies, as well as the Des Moines Fire Department and the Des Moines International Airport Fire Department will be displayed on the Court Avenue River Bridge.

Displays and demonstrations include:

• DMPD K-9s and Horse Patrol
• Metro STAR tactical equipment
• Des Moines Police Bomb Squad and Bomb Dogs
• Des Moines Fire Department emergency equipment
• Des Moines International Airport Fire Department/132nd Fighter Wing
• Iowa Army National Guard Blackhawk Helicopter landing
• Tours of DMPD, including the DMPD Hall of History
• Drug awareness and crime prevention information – “Legal Limit” Display
• Turn in unwanted fireworks, ammunition, and firearms
• McGruff the Crime Dog will also be on patrol!

Come and enjoy the nearby Farmer’s Market and get to know people who make our community a safer place to live and work!

For More Information Contact Lt. Todd Dykstra at 237-1583

Plan on attending the next River Bend Neighborhood Meeting.

• When/Where are meetings held?
  Meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 7pm at the Salvation Army building at 1330 6th Ave. (Map)
• Who can attend?
  Everyone is welcome to attend, and there’s no charge. If you want to become a member, which gives you rights to vote for the Association board, the cost is $10 per person per year.