• Welcome to the City of Des Moines

    A major center for insurance, financial services and publishing, Des Moines has a lot to offer, such as affordable housing, short commute times, a diverse population, and was also recently named one of the best places to live on the Silicon Prairie.

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  • Spotlight on Des Moines

    Gray's Lake Park features the 1,400 foot-long Kruidenier Trail pedestrian bridge and a 1.9 mile trail around the lake. "...Residents can walk, bike, boat or fish -- right in the very heart of downtown," said Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie.

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  • Authors Visiting in Des Moines

    Mark your calendars and get set to enjoy another AViD season featuring six free programs by nationally-recognized authors.

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  • One of the Best Cities for Jobs

    Des Moines ranks #2 on Forbes 2012 list of Best Cities for Jobs.

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  • Gray's Lake Park on National Top 10 List

    Des Moines' Gray's Lake Park has been named one of the Top 10 Great Public Spaces by the American Planning Association.

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  • Iowa State Capitol

    The Iowa State Capitol is among the most beautiful state capitols in the country with its 275-foot, 23-karat gold leafed dome anchoring the east end of downtown Des Moines.

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  • East Village

    Historic East Village is an eclectic neighborhood of restored historic properties, beautiful streetscapes, and urban living at the foot of the State Capitol.

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  • World Food Prize

    Des Moines is home to the World Food Prize the foremost international award recognizing the achievements in advancing human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.

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Construction
Graphical representation of a downtown building project
Major Construction Projects

The Engineering Department’s efforts include the design, construction and project management of the City's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and other major construction projects.

Bids and Contracts
Bridge Arches
Bid Information

Bidding documents are available from the Engineering department, located on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D Ray Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50309-1891. For additional information you may email, phone (515) 283-4005 or fax (515) 283-4112.

Real Estate Sales
Scene from a park
Excess Land for Sale

When a parcel of land is no longer needed for municipal purposes, the City classifies the parcel as "Excess Land" and attempts to sell it. The sale of excess land provides an opportunity for the City to generate revenue, as well as increasing the tax base.