January 8, 2008
By GUNNAR OLSON
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
With plans in place for more roads, more houses and more amenities, Ankeny residents can expect to see a lot of changes in the coming 12 months.
Mayor Steve Van Oort said 2008 is “going to be continuing to fulfill the goals and visions that we’ve put in place.”
Here, then, with the help of City Manager Carl Metzger, is a list of the top eight projects of 2008:
Prairie Trail
The first houses of the 1,031-acre Prairie Trail development are expected to be completed this spring.
There’s an important deadline: Prairie Trail is the site of the June home show of the Home Builders Association of Greater Des Moines.
The city’s portion of the project, finishing the nearby Precedence Park, is anticipated to be finished in time for the home show, as well.
New police station
Ankeny’s police force could move into larger, updated quarters as early as this fall.
Construction of the new station, at 411 S.W. Ordnance Road, was delayed by weather but is progressing steadily, said Joe Weller, a project engineer with general contractor Larson and Larson Construction.
The cost is estimated at $17.5 million.
Fire Department expansion
Firefighters and paramedics also could have a more spacious headquarters as early as June.
This project also was put behind schedule by bad weather as well as material delays but is now steadily moving forward, said Chief Rex Mundt.
The expansion, estimated to cost about $5 million, will position the department to be staffed around the clock. For the first time, the station will offer sleeping quarters. It only recently got temporary sleeping space for department members.
Otter Creek Golf Course
The redesign of the municipal golf course could be done this year. While golfers might be able to look, they won’t be able to touch.
Metzger said the new 18 holes should be completed, the grass seed planted and the regular maintenance begun as early as this summer. Tours of the new grounds will be given by appointment on a limited basis.
It won’t be until 2009, though, that the course is opened for play.
New library?
Plans for a new library so far have amounted to mostly talk. This year, though, that talk could turn into blueprints and construction contracts.
The City Council already has approved spending $46,200 with a New York library consulting firm, Aaron Cohen Associates. Metzger said the firm is expected to deliver its report to the council in February.
If council members decide to move forward, Metzger said, the city could begin soliciting bids for the project as early as this summer.
West First Street extension
Drivers should see the completion this year of the extension of West First Street.
The project will connect First Street, which now ends at Irvinedale Drive on Ankeny’s west side, to Iowa Highway 415.
The project was delayed by weather this fall and is now to be completed this spring.
The project is expected to cost $6.2 million.
North Ankeny Boulevard
Construction could get under way this year on widening North Ankeny Boulevard, which is part of U.S. Highway 69. Metzger said this would ease traffic for new and existing residents.
Metzger said the city could solicit bids for the project as early as this spring.
The project will occur in two stages. The first leg, from 18th Street to 36th Street, would be widened from two lanes to four lanes plus a center turning lane.
The second leg, from 36th Street north to 54th Street, would widen the highway by one lane, a turn lane. The second leg more than likely wouldn’t start until 2009, Metzger said.
The project is estimated to cost about $10 million, to be split roughly three ways between the city, the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Des Moines Area Metro Planning Organization.
Extension completion
Drivers also will be able to take advantage this year of the completion of an extension of Northwest 18th Street and the paving of Northwest Weigel Drive.
By year’s end, an extension of Northeast 18th Street west of Irvinedale Drive will reach Northwest Weigel Drive.
From there, Northwest Weigel Drive will be paved south to Northwest Fifth Street.
The project is expected to cost $2.4 million.
Reporter Gunnar Olson can be reached at (515) 284-8039 or golson@dmreg.com
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