Council approves MidAmerican Energy PUD amendment after debate over sidewalk obligation

The Des Moines City Council on Aug. 5 approved an amendment to the Air Park Commerce Park West Planned Unit Development to allow a MidAmerican Energy utility substation at Thornton Avenue and additional fencing options, after a resident raised concerns about a sidewalk the company will not be required to build under the amendment.

Carol Maher, a downtown resident from Ward 3, told the council she and many nearby neighbors expected MidAmerican to be required to fund a sidewalk adjacent to the property on Southwest 56th Street and said 40% of responding neighbors who submitted comment cards asked for a sidewalk. She called the lack of a firm commitment "corporate welfare in the fine print."

Kelsey Ballard, speaking on behalf of MidAmerican Energy, said the company and city staff had worked for 18 months to place the substation on the commercial site to allow future flexibility. Ballard said the city has discussed a potential realignment of Southwest 56th Street, and that installing a sidewalk now would likely require removing it later during road redesign. "If we put in a sidewalk along the road today, it is likely it would need to be removed when the time comes for that city road redesign," Ballard told council. She said MidAmerican is prepared to work with city staff when the road alignment is finalized.

City Engineer Steve Nabors explained there had been real estate exchanges and design work to accommodate future road realignment and that the city anticipates the road project would pay for the sidewalk when it is built. Nabors said delaying the sidewalk now avoids temporary installation that would be removed later.

Council members moved and seconded the item and the motion carried by roll call. Supporters characterized the amendment as enabling redevelopment and permitting a necessary utility use while preserving flexibility for future street redesign; residents asked staff to document commitments and to consider including a funding-triggered sidewalk agreement when the road project is scheduled.

What happens next: The PUD amendment is approved; MidAmerican and city staff said they would coordinate on future design and on any agreement to fund sidewalk installation when the road realignment is programmed.