Board discusses sale of county‑owned Can Redemption Center block; De Mo County Partners and Hope Haven weigh in on proceeds
April 06, 2026 | Des Moines County, Iowa
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BURLINGTON, Iowa — Des Moines County supervisors spent a work‑session segment on April 7 reviewing plans to sell county‑owned parcels that include the Can Redemption Center and three adjacent lots (block 7). County staff presented title and deed research showing that several small parcels were consolidated into a single county‑owned parcel through deeds dating to the 1970s.
Trent, speaking for county counsel, said the short answer is that De Mo County Partners (formerly ARC) has no remaining claim to the parcel identified for sale. He explained historical deed transactions from the 1970s that resulted in consolidated county ownership. "There was a quit claim deed where we gave that to the county in 1975," a representative for De Mo County Partners acknowledged, but said any proceeds should be used to serve clients of Hope Haven given the property's original purpose.
Representatives from Hope Haven and county partners asked that proceeds from a sale be directed to support services for people with disabilities; county staff said the board is receptive and that such intentions can be memorialized in sale documents or contributions. The board discussed whether to sell the parcels together or separately and whether to retain a realtor; staff noted a Request for Proposals was forthcoming (dates discussed for RFPs in the next week).
The board also discussed selection logistics — whether interviews for realtor or consultant responses would be public or handled by a selection panel — and agreed the county has previously used small panels with one board member and staff to evaluate RFQ/RFP responses.
What happens next: County staff will post the RFP for the properties, and the board will decide between public bidding or an RFP/realtor process. Representatives for partners and Hope Haven will seek written assurances about the intended use of sale proceeds.
(Reporting based on April 7 Des Moines County Board of Supervisors meeting transcript.)
Trent, speaking for county counsel, said the short answer is that De Mo County Partners (formerly ARC) has no remaining claim to the parcel identified for sale. He explained historical deed transactions from the 1970s that resulted in consolidated county ownership. "There was a quit claim deed where we gave that to the county in 1975," a representative for De Mo County Partners acknowledged, but said any proceeds should be used to serve clients of Hope Haven given the property's original purpose.
Representatives from Hope Haven and county partners asked that proceeds from a sale be directed to support services for people with disabilities; county staff said the board is receptive and that such intentions can be memorialized in sale documents or contributions. The board discussed whether to sell the parcels together or separately and whether to retain a realtor; staff noted a Request for Proposals was forthcoming (dates discussed for RFPs in the next week).
The board also discussed selection logistics — whether interviews for realtor or consultant responses would be public or handled by a selection panel — and agreed the county has previously used small panels with one board member and staff to evaluate RFQ/RFP responses.
What happens next: County staff will post the RFP for the properties, and the board will decide between public bidding or an RFP/realtor process. Representatives for partners and Hope Haven will seek written assurances about the intended use of sale proceeds.
(Reporting based on April 7 Des Moines County Board of Supervisors meeting transcript.)
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