Neighborhood Revitalization Plan

In 1989, the City of Des Moines and the Polk County Supervisors established the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. This program focused on building neighborhood strength and capacity to be proactive against disinvestment in the city’s neighborhoods. The revitalization program was coordinated by the Neighborhood Development Division, which is housed in the City of Des Moines Community Development Department. The purpose of the revitalization plan was to bring stabilization and improvements to all 54 of the city’s neighborhoods. ​ Over twenty years have passed since the River Bend Neighborhood plan was created. Fast forward to 2014 and it is evident that many characteristics of the neighborhood–such as demographics, housing, zoning, and crime rates– have changed. In response to these changes, the River Bend Neighborhood Association submitted a request to update their neighborhood on September 16, 2011.  ​ The City of Des Moines, the River Bend Neighborhood Association, and Iowa State University Community and Regional Planning department  partnered to update their neighborhood plan to reflect current goals, objectives, and strategies. The approved plan will supersede the original neighborhood plan from 1992, and will serve as a guide for future decision making in the River Bend neighborhood.