This year Des Moines has been focusing on revitalizing its downtown.

Beginning with the Gateway transportation project currently going on at South 216th Street, the improvements extend to upgrading water mains downtown to accommodate new development.

The City Council is currently discussing a group of development guidelines for downtown Des Moines, referred to as the Marina District.

The city continues to seek citizen input in the process of determining the best ways to develop downtown.

The Marina District Design Guidelines (MDDG) are not building codes, and are not intended to give specific rigid rules to developers building downtown.

Councilman Scott Thomasson asked at a recent council meeting how the guidelines would affect developers. Staff did offer clear answers on the issue, it will be discussed further when the come back to the council on July 29.

City staff suggested putting language into the municipal code incorporating by reference the guidelines, stating that new development, or substantial redevelopment proposals must demonstrate substantial compliance with them.

Among other things the guidelines encourage a large pedestrian walking area with 12-foot sidewalks. The city wants to encourage a large walking area with the front of the shops close to the edge of the sidewalk, rather than set back. Similarly, the city is also pushing for underground parking to move cars away from the fronts of the businesses.

During the public discussion, several property owners along 8th Avenue and 10th Avenue said they did not want tall buildings that would take away their views. A change in building heights downtown is not included in the guidelines and has not been proposed.

Five "heart" locations have been identified in the downtown: South 223 Street, 7th Avenue South, South 227 Street, Marine View Drive South and the Marina Beach Park.

Heart locations are a perceived center of commercial and social activity within a neighborhood, providing an anchor to the community.

These areas will be looked at to enhance their central character through site planning and architecture.

The proposed guidelines suggest the heart locations should be defined through landscaping, artwork and amenities such as pedestrian lighting, weather protection and public art.