Veterans Recognition Ceremony - November 16

Veterans Day is over but our recognition of veterans should never be.

In the spirit of this week, which was designed to promote veteran awareness, the City of West Des Moines will hold a recognition ceremony next Monday prior to the City Council Meeting. Mayor Gaer and the West Des Moines Police Department Color Guard will be part of a short official ceremony to thank those who have served. The rest of the hour will be an informal reception with refreshments, time to chat, and a group photograph. Kids in West Des Moines schools have even made cards for the veterans and a few will be in attendance to thank those who attend.

We hope to pay our respects to as many veterans residing in West Des Moines as possible. If you are a veteran, please consider attending this event. If you know a veteran in West Des Moines, please get word of this event to them. Those who think they'll attend can RSVP to 222-3610. We're also making transportation available through our Human Services Department - anyone interested in that can call Carmen at 222-3661.

The City Council will also issue a proclamation during the meeting honoring our City's veterans and thanking them for making the choice to live in West Des Moines at some point after their service.

Grand Avenue Construction Update

North of the bridge. The contractor was able to pave the two west lanes of Grand Avenue from Casey's to the bridge on Wednesday of last week. All storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water main lines were completed on the project prior to the weekend. The contractor is applying fly-ash material to the roadway to speed the drying process and lessen the impact of future rain events so that the remainder of the project can be paved in the next few weeks. Every reasonable step is being taken to get as much done as possible while the good weather lasts.

South of the bridge. On Friday, fly-ash material was applied to the roadway to assist in the drying process so that crews could work through the weekend in preparation of paving the two west lanes early this week. They continue to complete back filling and fine grading behind the curbs so that traffic can be reopened from the Fuller Road & Grand Ave intersection to Railroad Avenue with some restrictions north of the bridge.