Starts Right Here recently broke ground on its new facility at 525 E 9th Street in Des Moines. The project will repurpose a 9,885-square-foot former Lutheran church into an alternative school and 18 studio apartments, providing safe and supportive spaces for students and young adults.
Planned improvements include interior and exterior renovations to the existing structure, construction of a new patio, and landscaping enhancements. The project is supported by more than $4 million in grant funding and is anticipated to open in 2026.
CDA is providing site planning and civil engineering services for the project. Our scope include topographic and boundary surveys, ALTA survey preparation, concept refinement, site plan development, landscape planning, and coordination throughout design, bidding, and construction phases.
This groundbreaking marks an important step toward creating a safe and supportive environment for students and young people in the heart of Des Moines. Explore Starts Right Here services and mission here.
Project partners include Simonson & Associates Architects and ESTES Construction.
To read more about CDA project news view our Happenings page here.