Des Moines transit, housing and trail projects stay in focus

Several metro issues with longer-term effects for riders, renters and park users stayed in focus this week. Transit riders are getting closer to a full network reset this summer, downtown leaders are still working to turn older office space into housing, and west-metro trail planning remains active.

Transit changes move toward June launch

DART says all bus routes will change in June, with current routes staying in place through June 13. The agency says the new network will center on 10 main routes, updated schedules and stop-change lists will be posted by April 30, and rider help events are planned for May. DART also says some stops, especially closer to downtown, will be removed or relocated as service is consolidated.

Downtown housing conversion remains on track

The city has approved amended terms for the redevelopment of 601 Locust, where an existing office building is still planned to become a 221-unit apartment project with commercial space on the skywalk level. City documents put the updated project cost at $76.2 million, move the completion target to December 2028, and require at least 10% of the units to meet an affordable rent standard tied to area median income. (councildocs.dsm.city)

Marathon Loop stays in the metro pipeline

West Des Moines continues to present the Marathon Loop as a long-range recreation and mobility project. The city says the planned trail will create a 26.2-mile loop connecting Valley View Park, Southwoods Park, Raccoon River Park and future parkland, and that the overall loop is already 48% complete. Recent reporting also indicates city staff are seeking budget support for trail connections needed to finish more of that loop.

Public health data is easier to browse

Residents tracking health trends also have a clearer set of cancer data tools to work with. The University of Iowa registry hosts a statewide dashboard and links to mapping tools for smaller areas, while the state health department publishes site-specific cancer data and background on environmental risk factors.

Sources

https://www.ridedart.com/newroutes
https://councildocs.dsm.city/communications/2026/26-097.pdf
https://www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/parks-recreation/five-waters-project/3-marathon-loop
https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2026/03/23/west-des-moines-builds-marathon-loop
https://shri.public-health.uiowa.edu/data-dashboard/
https://hhs.iowa.gov/about/data-reports/cancer