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Regional Community initiatives

The future of Greater Des Moines is being shaped by committed organizations, creative programs and leaders who understand the power of working together. Through regional collaboration, bold ideas are being transformed into real results. From the strategic initiatives of Capital Crossroads to the Greater Des Moines Partnership's Community Liaisons program through the Regional Community Integration Plan, lasting connections are being built in the multi-county region that will take Greater Des Moines into the future. 

Collaborations

Thanks to the work of the Capital Crossroads Regional Council and investment from 45 Greater Des Moines organizations, Capital Crossroads is identifying ways to impact the regional community through job growth, accessible cultural and recreational opportunities and investments in DSM neighborhoods and youth. The recent Capital Crossroads Roadmap outlines goals for the future, helping to drive local leaders into action by pinpointing which focus areas are most important at this time.   

The Partnership and Operation Downtown team up with local creatives and organizations to bring engaging installations, events and activations to Downtown Des Moines, all designed to surprise and delight. Favorite events include Holiday Promenade and Out to Lunch and installations like the Fourth and Court Walking Path and TimePiece by Oyoram showcase the power of unique collaboration. Explore the full online activations portfolio to learn more about locations, details and the partners behind these special projects. 

Initiatives and Programs

The Regional Community Integration Plan is utilizing Community Liaisons to connect with The Partnership’s regional communities to learn how The Partnership can support communities, share their news and make connections. The conversations taking place through this initiative are transformative for local communities. Follow-up from The Partnership addresses ways in which the team can offer meaningful support and bring the right people together to create both solutions and a stronger region.  

Regional Vision Plans

Greater Des Moines is strong in part because of its ability to strategically plan for the future.  

About the Capital Crossroads Roadmap

Capital Crossroads is a bold vision that pushes Central Iowans to dream big, think long-term and work together. Rooted in regional collaboration, Capital Crossroads focuses on ways that area leaders can collaborate to build a successful future for Central Iowa.  

Capital Crossroads continues the legacy of vision planning as a key component to the region’s success, following the footsteps of the Des Moines Vision Plan in 1990, the Major Projects Task Force in 1998, Project Destiny in 2003 and the What’s Next, Downtown strategy in 2007.  

Capital Crossroads was developed beginning in 2011, and the first iteration celebrated hundreds of successes. In 2016, community leaders launched Capital Crossroads 2.0 to build on the initial plan

In 2022, community leaders led a collaborative process to create the current iteration of the plan, the Capital Crossroads Roadmap, which was launched at the beginning of 2024. The Roadmap identified six critical outcomes including: regional collaboration, equity and inclusion, placemaking, workforce housing, job growth and education. Guided by these outcomes, Capital Crossroads developed four pillars of work:  

  • Economic Opportunity and Prosperity
  • Community and Cultural Connections
  • Thriving Neighborhoods
  • Youth Investment

The Capital Crossroads roadmap, like the many plans before it, was developed with input from a wide variety of leaders in the business, educational, nonprofit, public and social sectors. It serves as a guidepost for the work so many businesses, organizations and leaders are doing to cultivate a strong region now and into the future. 

Learn more about Capital Crossroads. 

Downtown DSM: Future Forward

Downtown DSM: Future Forward is a Vision Plan and Action Plan developed by The Partnership in collaboration with Bravo Greater Des Moines, Catch Des Moines, City of Des Moines, Des Moines Regional Transit Authority (DART), Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce, Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), FuseDSM, Operation Downtown and Polk County. Downtown DSM: Future Forward was developed to help position Downtown Des Moines for both short-term and long-term economic recovery, vitality and vibrancy.

The Downtown DSM: Future Forward: Vision Plan and Action Plan addressed five goals:

  • A Welcoming Urban Neighborhood
  • Inclusive Arts and Entertainment
  • Rewarding Market for Development
  • Vibrant Outdoor City
  • Connected and Sustainable Mobility 

The plan also addressed a list of "Future Six" initiatives that are guided by six broad themes: Sustainability, Vibrancy, Choice, Economic Vitality, Wellness and Inclusivity. The Future Six initiatives are: 

  • Green Ring
  • Skywalks Reimagined
  • Inner Circle
  • The Stadium District
  • Connected Corridors
  • Strong Neighborhoods

Learn more about the Downtown DSM: Future Forward: Vision Plan and Action Plan.