Use the VJ Shuttle

Tomorrow night we begin offering shuttling service from the Hillside/Walnut Creek campus in the 700-800 blocks of Eighth Street to the intersection of 5th and Maple for the Farmers Market and Music in the Junction events.

We'll have two shuttles running using vehicles from the WDM Human Services Department. They'll run from 4 pm to 9 pm, and each vehicle that parks in the lot will receive a $5 "voucher of appreciation" for trying it out that can be used at the vendors and merchants who participate in the Farmers Market. It's a short route, so there shouldn't be much of a wait, and it will really help to open some spots up outside the immediate area of the events.

We'll continue the shuttle service, as well as the voucher program, through the rest of the 2009 Farmers Market season (October 1). I hope you try it out. There are a lot of great reasons to go down to Valley Junction on Thursday nights, and it's important that we work to lessen the impacts of these events so that they can continue in a positive light.

If we all focus on being good neighbors to those who live in the area around 5th Street and finding a parking spot that is legal, safe, and doesn't inconvenience someone else in the area or just use the shuttle, the events will be more enjoyable for everyone.

Economic Development Plan Update

The City's Community & Economic Development Department recently started the process of updating the West Des Moines Economic Development Plan, which was last completed in 2003. The plan is a broad study to help city officials and staff better plan for future economic development in our City. This project will involve other city departments, elected officials, and community members, and will focus on creating high-value jobs and retaining young talent in West Des Moines.

The development of Jordan Creek Town Center was the main impetus for the original study in 2003. Because the City anticipated that the area around that site would quickly become an attractive area for development, we generated this plan to ensure the area developed the right way. The 2003 plan also led us to ramp up the executive call program, which involves visits by city staff and officials to local businesses to identify any issues they may have and educate them about how the City can assist.

The 2009 update will be managed by AngelouEconomics (AE), an economic development consulting firm. The plan has four objectives:

1) assess the region's current competitiveness;
2) identify specific high-impact target industries;
3) develop specific strategies to improve city efforts to attract new business, retain and expand existing businesses, retain young professionals and grow a skilled workforce, revitalize older commercial areas, and encourage entrepreneurship; and
4) build a shared vision and catalyze collective action through a detailed implementation plan.

As I mentioned, community input in this process is key. Although we will hold focus groups on specific issues, all citizens can get involved by going to the project website, following our progress in developing the plan, and completing surveys. There is one for businesses and one for residents, and both will be open until the end of July. You can also use the link to the consultant's email on the website to send your comments directly to AngelouEconomics.

The website is located at: http://www.wdmdevelopmentplan.com/.

Thanks for your assistance as we improve our planning for the future West Des Moines.

New Book Spotlights West Des Moines & Valley Junction

On July 6, a book showcasing a pictorial history of West Des Moines and Valley Junction was published as part of a series called Images of America. The book, written by local author Craig S. McCue and the West Des Moines Historical Society, displays over 200 vintage images highlighting the history of the city, including some current photos we provided for their use.

The book, called West Des Moines and Valley Junction, includes:

• the history of West Des Moines beginning with Pioneer times, through the years as Valley Junction and up to present day;
• several chapters relating the story of the city's evolution from a farming community to a railroad hub, its growth as a suburb of Des Moines, and its transformation into a financial hub; and
• other chapters of regional interest related to the heyday of the railroads in the Des Moines area, the impact of the Depression and War of Iowa communities, and the construction of the interstates through the Des Moines metro area.

The book is available for purchase through the Jordan House at 2001 Fuller Road. Anyone can call (515) 225-1286 to place an order. It is also obtainable at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers. Although I would encourage purchase of the book through the Historic Society to support their work, you can also preview the book on the publisher's website.