The council approved a $4,198,776.71 contract to rebuild East Court Avenue from East 7th to East 14th Street with one lane each way and buffered bike lanes, by a 7–0 vote.
Approved plans and specifications and named Reilly Construction Co., Inc. the lowest responsive, responsible bidder at $4,198,776.71. Moved by Mandelbaum, seconded by Gatto. Passed 7–0; no members voted no.
How each member voted
| Official | Seat | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Boesen | Mayor | Yes |
| Carl Voss | At-large | Yes |
| Mike Simonson | At-large | Yes |
| Rob X. Barron | Ward 1 | Yes |
| Linda Westergaard | Ward 2 | Yes |
| Josh Mandelbaum | Ward 3 | Yes |
| Joe Gatto | Ward 4 | Yes |
More from the record
East Court Avenue from the Des Moines River to East 14th Street needs complete pavement reconstruction, curb ramps that meet ADA rules, and a new Des Moines Water Works main. Staff wrote that traffic has declined since Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway was built and several mixed-use developments have gone up nearby. Phase 1 (river to East 7th) was finished in fall 2024. This Phase 2 rebuilds the street to one travel lane each way with buffered bike lanes on both sides, plus sidewalks, storm sewer and water main. Four bids were received; Reilly Construction Co., Inc. (Ossian, Iowa) was lowest. Virtual public meetings were held in 2021 and 2022. Council Communication 26-019 (saved copy)
The alternative
No other options were presented in the record.
Time and getting around
- Who
- People driving, biking and walking on East Court Avenue between East 7th and East 14th
- How
- One travel lane each way with buffered bike lanes; new sidewalks and ADA curb ramps
- When
- Spring 2026 to spring 2027
- Source
- Council Communication 26-019 (saved copy)
Money
- Who
- City capital budget and Des Moines Water Works
- How
- $4,198,776.71 contract, below the $4,775,000 estimate: $3,763,576.96 from local option sales tax and $435,199.75 from Des Moines Water Works
- When
- 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program
- Source
- Council Communication 26-019 (saved copy)
Source Agenda for the whole meeting, item 36 (saved copy) · Full minutes for the whole Jan 26, 2026 meeting, p. 9 (roll call 26-0138) (saved copy) · Council Communication 26-019 (saved copy)