Des Moines daily local headlines: East Village upgrades, Highland Park buildings, and traffic-safety tests

Local headlines to know

Des Moines is juggling downtown livability upgrades, north-side preservation questions, and a fresh round of traffic-safety tweaks that you may already be seeing on your commute.

1) East Village streetscape overhaul gets the green light

A nearly $1.6 million project is moving ahead to refresh the East Village streetscape along East Locust Street. Plans include replacing most of the district’s signature county sidewalk plaques and adding curb extensions (bump-outs) near key crossings to shorten the distance for people on foot. Construction is expected to start in the coming months, with completion targeted for fall.

2) Highland Park: city weighs buying buildings next to Odd Fellows Hall

After a previous redevelopment deal involving the historic Odd Fellows Hall fell apart, the city is now considering purchasing three neighboring properties on Euclid Avenue. The next step would authorize staff to negotiate an agreement, with stabilization work expected to follow quickly if a purchase goes through. For residents, the big takeaway is that the city appears to be looking for a path to prevent further deterioration while a longer-term plan takes shape.

3) Why some traffic lights look different: new reflective back plates

If you’ve noticed a bold outline behind certain signals, you’re not imagining it. The city is testing reflective back plates at about 20 higher-risk intersections, aiming to make signal heads easier to spot and cut crashes. Officials have cited a potential crash reduction target of around 20% and say they’re also exploring federal help to expand the upgrades.

4) Community note: new vans help local youth programs get around

A statewide children’s charity has been distributing vehicles to help local organizations move kids (and supplies) safely and reliably. In Des Moines, groups including Urban Dreams and Oakridge have received vans that support everything from after-school transportation to program logistics—an unglamorous but practical boost that can keep services running on time.

Quick takeaways

• Expect East Village construction impacts later this year as the streetscape work ramps up.
• Highland Park’s next steps hinge on whether the city moves forward with property negotiations.
• More high-visibility signal upgrades could follow if funding lines up.

Sources

• https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/02/25/east-village-streetscape-county-plaques-des-moines
• https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/02/23/des-moines-odd-fellows-adjacent-historic
• https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-tests-reflective-back-plates-traffic-lights-improve-traffic-safety/70483053
• https://www.kcci.com/article/varietys-vans-drive-community-impact-in-des-moines/70469813