Mayor's Monthly Update - April 2024

Update from the Mayor

April has come and gone, and it was another great month in our city. This month's edition of our newsletter is filled with updates and stories that reflect the vibrant spirit and resilience of our community.

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First 100 Days

My first 100 days as your Mayor have been an absolute honor. These first few months represent less than 7% of my four-year term. The vast majority of our work is still to come, and I look to the future with optimism.

Since being sworn in, I've used this time to meet with many of our residents, business professionals and community leaders. I've also assessed our current City services, programs and initiatives to better tackle inherent challenges and identify opportunities that will improve the lives of our residents.

The past 100 days taught me this: our successes in Des Moines over the years are many and for that we should be pleased but not satisfied. We still have much work to do to realize our true potential. By acknowledging the challenges our City faces today, we can identify and capitalize on the opportunities those challenges present and set the course for the next five, 10 and 15 years.

My plan beyond these initial 100 days is to build on our current trajectory through thoughtful and practical economic development, equitable neighborhood revitalization and renewed community involvement. As we look to the future, we should focus on initiatives that make Des Moines a great place to live:

• Collaborating with our community partners to create and implement an economic development strategy for Downtown that carries us into the next two decades.
• Supporting our neighborhoods…the backbone of Des Moines…through revitalization and the expansion of affordable housing.
• Assisting those experiencing homelessness…so that they may move forward with productive and safe lives.
• Investing in and redefining public safety that ensures fairness and better addresses those struggling with mental health issues.
• Empowering our youth through continued investments into early childhood and support to work readiness programs.
• Emphasizing our City's diverse population and foster a dialogue that allows us to collaborate on an exchange of ideas and initiatives that will serve as a model for other communities across the country.

Welcome Mike Simonson!

Our City Council now has every seat filled! At-Large Council Member Mike Simonson took the oath of office at the April 1 Council meeting, completing the City's seven-member governing body. A full Council ensures representation from all areas of the city and diverse perspectives. We are grateful to have Councilmember Simonson aboard to help conduct the City's business and move us forward.

Lao New Year Festival

It was my pleasure to help celebrate the Lao New Year at Wat Lao Buddhavath of Des Moines' festival. Laos celebrates the coming of the New Year as an opportunity to let go of the past and embrace a promising future. The food was delicious, and the entertainment was even better. This festival was an opportunity to highlight our rich diversity throughout Des Moines, and I believe it is what makes our community such a great place to live, work, and play.

Picture courtesy of Wat Lao Buddhavath of Des Moines.

Blank Park Zoo Expansion

I was proud to help announce an $18 million expansion and renovation effort for the Blank Park Zoo this month. This is the largest investment in the Zoo's history, and we are excited to have the opportunity to help support the improvement and expansion of the Zoo with a donation of $1 million. Construction is expected to begin this summer on the Big Cat and Wild Iowa exhibit areas. These exhibit areas will be built within the existing Zoo perimeter on undeveloped ground and through renovation of existing exhibits.

Mayor's Annual Bike Ride

Please join us for the Mayor's Annual Ride on May 4. The 17-mile bike ride through Des Moines will start at Richard A. Clark Municipal Service Center at 10 a.m. Registration is $35 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-17 years old. Funds raised will go towards funding art corridors, fueling fix-it stations, and other projects along our trails. I wish I was able to join all the riders, but rest assured that they will be in great hands with the Council's resident bike enthusiast Mayor Pro Tem Carl Voss.

Register to ride, and/or donate here.

First Pitch

I had the pleasure of throwing out the first pitch during opening week of the Iowa Cubs season. Although it may not have been a strike it was fun to help open their season and see all the fans coming to support the team. Go Cubs!

I invite you to stay connected and engaged with your City government and your fellow residents. Together, we can make Des Moines the best place to live, work, and play.

Thank you for your trust and your partnership. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you around Des Moines.

Sincerely,
Connie Boesen
Mayor of Des Moines

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