Des Moines City Council is considering two multimillion-dollar development projects to transform the south side of the downtown loop. One project will replace the old Americana Restaurant, which closed last September, while the other will redevelop a three-acre vacant parking lot into a $42 million, five-story building with 160 apartments and space for commercial and retail use.
Development Plans
The 900 Vine project, which is seeking financial assistance, aligns with the city’s broader goals of developing underutilized surface parking lots downtown. Cedar Ridge Distillery, based in Swisher, Iowa, plans to move into the former Americana space at 1312 Locust Street, investing over $1 million to create a tasting room, cocktail lounge, restaurant, and event center.
The Cedar Ridge space is expected to open next spring, while the 900 Vine project is set to be completed in 2028. According to Carrie Kruse, Des Moines economic development administrator, the projects show that the housing market downtown is alive and well.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
