Letter to St. Augustin’s Church RE: Demolition of Historic Homes at 4005 & 4011 Grand Avenue

Click here to read official letter (.pdf)
View more photos in the Photo Gallery

August 5, 2013

St. Augustin Church
545 42nd Street
Des Moines, IA 50312

Dear Rev. Chris Hartshorn,

The mission of the North of Grand (NOG) Neighborhood Association is to ensure that existing and projected infrastructure systems are managed or developed so they enhance the physical, visual and spatial qualities of the neighborhood — promoting a healthy climate for area businesses, and public and private properties.

Aligned with our mission is our goal to strengthen communication between neighborhood institutions, business and residents. As you are aware, the NOG Board of Directors is concerned about the proposal by St. Augustin Catholic Church to demolish two properties at 40th and Grand which are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Greenwood Parks Plat Historic District.

The North of Grand neighborhood prides itself on its history and has taken active steps to educate its residents about the richness of the past that surrounds them. The NOG Board has organized popular and well-attended architectural walking, biking and trolley tours and a traveling photo exhibition of historic photographs to highlight these assets and place them into the 21st century perspective. We have a keen understanding of what our neighborhood has become over 125 years: a safe, affordable, historic neighborhood in close proximity to shopping, dining, mass transportation, quality schools and churches.

Please allow this letter to serve as a vehicle to open up communication and conversation regarding the properties at 40th/Grand Ave. Our two organizations successfully worked together in the expansion of St Augustin’s parking lot in 1999. At that time we felt the level of communication would stay consistent and not waver as our two organizations are dedicated to the same vision – the future of this neighborhood.

Additionally, since these properties are located within a National Historic District, the NOG Board serves as a resource and advisory body regarding historic and other economic development incentives that may affect the properties within the neighborhood.

Thank you for your time. We look forward to your response and welcome the opportunity to continue a dialogue with the City of Des Moines and St. Augustin Catholic Church.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Hansen, NOG president

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Letter to St. Augustin’s Church RE: Demolition of Historic Homes at 4005 & 4011 Grand Avenue

Ingersoll LIVE! Saturday, Aug. 24

Click here to see the 2013 Ingersoll Live! commercial now showing on Mediacom

Walk on down to the biggest and best annual block party in the city: Ingersoll Live! presented by Mediacom Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, from 2-11 PM on Ingersoll Avenue between 28th and 29th streets.

So much is happening! Here’s a run down of the schedule:

D U N K   T A N K
2:30 pm: David Blum
3 pm: Matt Coen
3:30 pm: Mike Hutchison
4 pm: Kevin Stetson
4:30 pm: Lori Watson Fuller
5 pm: Todd Richman
5:30 pm: Ryan Mullin
6 pm: Frank Hansen

B A N D S  /  M U S I C  /  E N T E R T A I N M E N T
2- 2:30 pm: Isiserettes Drill & Drum Corps
2:45-3:45 pm: Grammy-nominated Justin Roberts
4-4:15 pm: Announcements
4:30-5 pm:  Roosevelt Choir
5-6:30 pm: DJ Patrick Porto
6:30-8:30 pm: Brother Trucker
9-11 pm: Faculty Lounge

F R E E  B I K E  V A L E T
2-11 pm: The Des Moines Bicycle Collective will provide free bike parking at The Mansion – 28th and Ingersoll

F O O D  V E N D O R S
2-11 pm: Gateway Market, Subway, Dahl’s, Gusto Pizza, Jesse’s Embers, and more

A R T I S T S  A L L E Y
2-11 pm: Local artists will showcase and sell their work

PLUS…”Meet Me In the Parking Lot”: Moberg Gallery will hold an art party for Frank Hansen between The Mansion and Star Bar during Ingersoll Live! Many new works by Hansen will be featured.

T H A N K  Y O U
Ingersoll/Grand SSMID, Peter A. Brown Commercial Real Estate Services, Badowers, Beeline+Blue, Des Moines Bicycle Collective, DART, Downtown Community Alliance, Iowa Public Radio, John and Janice Ruan, Lessing-Flynn, Louie’s Floor Covering, Moberg Gallery, Star Bar, Solar Loan & Sales, The Mansion, Tandem Brick Gallery, and Walker-Coen-Lorentzen Architects.

Visit the Ingersoll LIVE! Facebook page for current updates and more information.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Ingersoll LIVE! Saturday, Aug. 24

Latest Neighborhood Newsletter

The August 2013 issue of the North of Grand Neighborhood Newsletter is now available. Please click here to read more about:

  • National Night Out Aug. 6
  • Ingersoll Live! Aug. 24
  • Homes for Sale in the Neighborhood
  • What Makes a Pedestrian Friendly Neighborhood?
  • Thank You Ed Leedom and Sgt. Vince Valdez
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Latest Neighborhood Newsletter

15th Annual NOG Picnic June 22

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 15th Annual NOG Picnic June 22

NOG Annual Garage Sale June 7-8

Please come out and support our neighborhood this weekend by visiting these great garage sales!

722 39th Street
Friday 8am-4pm; Saturday 8am-4pm

Items:  Men’s mountain bike, electronics, men’s & women’s clothes, desk, furniture, vacuum, kitchen gadgets, home decor, foosball table

4018 Pleasant Street
Friday 7am-2pm    Saturday 7am-10am

Items: Antique furniture: Quaker style rocking chair, 2 vintage school desks, Victorian era cherry wood chair from England, vintage coffee table, 1956 Pfaff sewing machine – works – in nice cabinet. Collectibles: vintage toys, ChildCraft books – complete set 1960’s. 1964 Easy Bake Oven. Glassware: Fostoria, Depression Glass, Milk Glass, Carnival Glass, etc… Serta double mattress/boxspring set. Nordic Trak, Sony 42″ Plasma TV – PERFECT, Mens TUXEDO sz 40 complete w/10.5 shoes, stone waterfall yard fountain with lights/timer. YAKIMA car rack system, misc housewares

645 33rd Street
Friday 8am-5pm  Saturday 8am-2pm

Items: Pottery Barn lamps, wooden boxes and cabinets for storing things, antique but useable furniture, old and new Books  (lots of Sci Fi – mystery – art), mirrors (many old antique),clothes (all business casual), The unusual  (deer’s head, bull’s antlers, etc on the weird)

804 39th Street
Friday 8am-12pm    Saturday 8am-1pm

Items: Antiques, hoosier hutch; rocking, barrister book case, wicker chairs, toys, various tools, rugs and various household items; armoire TV center; tv’s.

536 36th Street
Saturday 8-4pm

Items: Office stuff: books, laminater, all in one HP Office Jet print-scan-fax. Glass ware, frames, household wares, 6′ gold easel,  12″ Photo flood light, wicker chair, new white wood cabinet, lamps, interesting stuff.

668 37th Street
Saturday 10am-4pm

Items: men, women, and children’s clothing; wedding supplies; furniture; home goods; etc

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on NOG Annual Garage Sale June 7-8