CITY OF WAUKEE

Downtown Waukee: Planning For A Vibrant Future

Downtown Waukee, or "old Waukee" as it’s affectionately known, continues to be an important part of the hometown feel that makes Waukee so special and keeps people wanting to settle here and build their businesses. Anchored around Triangle Park, the downtown area invites you to slow down and enjoy a more intimate experience.

Visitors can grab a drink and enjoy some live music at a local watering hole, peruse crafts and tasty treats at a farmer's market, or pick up something extra special for the grill this weekend. Groups can gather at the Community Center or celebrate the holiday season with WinterFest. You can stop on your bike ride to grab an ice cream cone or get advice on the right tool for your DIY project. Enhancing the downtown experience is a key objective behind the recent Downtown Assessment with the Downtown Resource Center (DRC), part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Specialists in several disciplines visited Waukee to listen, observe, and ultimately share recommendations on challenges to address and opportunities to help downtown thrive for many years to come. "It's clear the downtown area means a lot to longtime residents and there is passion for protecting the elements that make it special,” said Mayor Courtney Clarke. “Respecting the heritage and balancing needs of residents as well as businesses will be important as the City plans for the future.”

What Is The Downtown Assessment & Why Now?

Throughout the assessment, residents, business owners, elected officials, city staff and other stakeholders from the community contributed their experiences and wishes to inform the DRC’s recommendations. The DRC helped highlight some of the district’s strengths and some of the barriers to success. The city hopes to leverage these insights to create new opportunities for growth while enhancing downtown assets. “Existing plans are aging. The city is so dynamic with our fast growth rate. COVID-19 impacted a lot of aspects of life. All these factors made this year a good time to reassess where downtown is today and what it needs to thrive in the future, when the downtown is healthy and vibrant, the entire city benefits,” said Jennifer Brown, Director of Economic Development for the City of Waukee.

Initial Assessment Findings

Waukee has some aspects that differ from typical downtown areas of smaller communities and revitalized historic downtown districts in other metro communities. One notable strength is having three successful, well-known destination businesses operating already: Waukee Hardware, Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe and Old Station Craft Meats. Additionally, Triangle Park offers a unique gathering space that draws people from morning to evening.

When asked what is great about downtown, survey respondents also highlighted:

» The small town feel within a large community; » The variety of locally owned small businesses and charm of historic buildings; » Proximity to bike trails; and » Events such as the weekly Farmer’s Market and annual WinterFest celebration that draw residents and visitors to the district.

Enhancement Opportunities

Survey respondents and community input sessions attendees expressed a strong desire for a family-friendly restaurant and/or a bakery and coffee shop to enjoy a meal with friends and family.

Initial recommendations from the DRC included:

» Host a clean-up day and complete maintenance to improve the look and feel, such as pulling weeds, repairing sidewalks, and updating signage.

» Consider adding a stop sign and raised crosswalks for enhanced pedestrian safety.

» Improve utilization of existing buildings and lots to make better use of limited space.

» Add seating, plantings, and public art to invite people to linger.

» Increase awareness of the downtown area and the available amenities with events and signage.

“As an established district and neighborhood, the downtown area has a unique opportunity for residents and businesses to work closely together to define a distinctive personality and experience that can draw residents and visitors alike,” Brown noted.

What Next?

Following the full report from the DRC, stakeholders will collaborate on action plans. Elected officials and city staff, residents, business owners, and other vested organizations will have their parts to play in charting the future for downtown. The DRC recommended the formation of a business association and a neighborhood association to facilitate communication, volunteer coordination, business development and event planning. These associations could partner with the city and other local organizations. “Enhancing the look of downtown and creating strong, long-term collaboration among stakeholders are critical for economic development, helping to draw businesses that residents want, such as a restaurant or coffee shop, and activating foot traffic to keep downtown businesses prospering,”

How The Downtown Assessment Works

The Downtown Resource Center (DRC) has staff and downtown professional consultants who perform an intense, on-site study of the downtown area. The designated team provides an honest assessment of the downtown with short- and long-range recommendations specific to a particular downtown's strengths and challenges.

The Waukee Downtown Assessment consisted of:

» Pre-visit survey, which received an impressive 537 responses;

» Driving tour of the city;

» Walking tour of downtown;

» Community Input Session for residents, business owners and other stakeholders;

» Interviews with community leaders, individuals and groups representing the private and public sectors;

» Public presentation of initial findings; and

» Full report from the Downtown Resource Center.