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Update on the Gas Station Move

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:41:28 -0800

From the December 17, 2009, Des Moines Register:

A historic East Village gas station spared from the wrecking ball earlier this year has yet to find a permanent home and likely will be moved from the neighborhood.

The gas station, which originally sat at 203 E. Grand Ave., was salvaged by residents interested in preserving its history. It's on a temporary site near the former Bud Mulcahy Jeep dealership at East Third and Walnut streets, and its current owner, antiques collector Jerry Bassman, had planned to move the station near the Northland Dairy building at 621 Des Moines St.

That project has stalled, said Mike Kinter of Kinter Construction, who has arranged for the building's move. He said the building will not stay in the area and that a new deal is in the works.

Preservation Plan

RenovateDSM — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:40:43 -0800

In July of 2009, the Des Moines City Council approved a contract with Keffer/Overton Architects to do a historic preservation plan for the remaining buildings at the Fort. Should be a really nice plan and get the preservation of those buildings moving in the right direction.

I know from experience that

RenovateDSM — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:21:34 -0700

I know from experience that it is extremely frustrating to have repeated break-ins. Unfortunately, vacant buildings are a prime target for thieves and squatters - a vacant building, particularly one like the former Roadside Settlement House, is at higher risk of fire as we head into winter. That can be scary for an owner who is trying to maintain or renovate such a building.

I have received many inquiries about the status of the building from people who spent time there as children. The former Roadside Settlement House is a part of Des Moines' history, and a physical record of the settlement house movement. Because of this, the building has a presence beyond just it's current status. Regardless of the maintenance and plans of the current owners, it is clear that many people care about the future of this historic building.

Let it be

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:38:56 -0700

I think we should just leave the family alone that owns it. theya re doing their best to upkeep it...and to the thieves that were breaking in all summer! Beware....we will be watching for you now.

This is one of the simplest

darrys — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:36:05 -0700

This is one of the simplest bathrooms I've ever seen, no color, not too many shapes, only what's strictly necessary. I bet you are one of those practical people, extra designs don't mean too much to you. We are very different, the last time I decided to renew my bathroom fixtures it took me about a week to decide for the right design... It may sound stupid but it's important for me.

Fort Des Moines Officer's Quarters

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:37:43 -0700

In the 1960's, this building was used as a doctor's office. I remember going here as a child.

Modern v. Contemporary

RenovateDSM — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:39:30 -0700

Interesting discussion. I think perhaps you are both right, and that in retrospect my title for this photo was probably not very accurate...

Modern (or more specifically "modernism") is a specific design style that crosses over art, product/furniture, and architecture. As a whole this space, the furnishings, and the house itself are not a case study in modernism.

This space and the way in which it is furnished would probably fall under the general umbrella of "contemporary" - a sub-category of which would be what Meredith called "eclectic" above. Things like exposed brick, open floor plans, stainless steel fittings, and creative reuse of traditional furnishings in unconventional ways are all elements of a contemporary design aesthetic.

If I recall correctly, this house was full of anachronisms like a claw-foot tub, wide-plank pine floors, a farmhouse type trestle table, and many other things. Yet the anachronisms are played off against a clearly contemporary backdrop of exposed brick, open floor plan, and modern furnishings.

I would say the space is

whitemeredith7 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:15:17 -0700

I would say the space is (mostly) traditional, while some of the furnishings are modern. The dining table and chairs are clearly in the style of the home, while the sofa, end tables, and side chair are more contemporary. I'd call this "eclectic". :)

The space is modern in that the cumlulative whole of the rooms and their furnishings are a mixture of different styles and periods. However, the bones of the space itself are definitely more traditional than modern...IMO.

No doubt on this. This

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:17:52 -0700

No doubt on this. This craftsmanship is really unbelievable.

Why is this interior modern?

darrys — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:43:41 -0700

Why is this interior modern? Just because of the couch? I can see plenty "not so modern" items all over the room, they all combined together result in a very nice and cozy look, things could be even better though if we focus on maximizing the space in the room.

Roadside Settlement

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:36:21 -0700

What can you tell me about who bought this in February 2009? On my way to the fair, I noticed it was being worked on and had not realized it had been sold. What is the intention of the group with the building?

[It looks from the Assessor's web page and the Secretary of State filings like the property was simply transferred to a limited liability company owned by the same people. This is a common practice in real estate development to minimize personal liability and protect personal assets. I don't have any additional information about the work being undertaken or the future plans for the building]

Save this building

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:55:07 -0700

I went to preschool when it was roadside Settlement. I am now 47 years old. I would love to see it saved and renovated and be a historically place in Iowa. I do not think it should be appartemtns but maybe a museum of some sort where people can come back and see it again.

Source

RenovateDSM — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:59:21 -0800

Thanks for your question. The information came from a DMRegister article published on November 27, 2007, and was not independently verified. The link to the article may not remain permanently active, so I copied the applicable portion below.

The future of Des Moines' historic Kingsway Cathedral could be decided Wednesday.

Owners of the century-old church at 901 19th St. will again ask for permission to demolish the building, which the city ordered closed in early 2003 because of structural problems.

Congregation members said then that the problems were caused by vibrations from the Interstate Highway 235 reconstruction work.

Kingsway

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:15:56 -0800

Where did the information come from that states the City ordered it closed? I've heard that's not the case but the congregation moved out because of percieved damage from contruction.

Suggestion

RenovateDSM — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:46:02 -0800

The following message was forwarded to me in response to the Des Moines Register article about this building:

So as not to let the thought grow cold I would like to register an idea with you and the editorial staff. Many ideas undoubtedly have been submitted to preserve the structure. Because of the historical significance and value of the structure, and its location in the East Village, perhaps efforts could be put forth to use it as a VISITOR INFORMATION facility. Many such facilities exist in larger cities with historic neighborhoods. And, the structures are not large, but convenient to the area which they serve.

It think this is a very intriguing idea.