The council approved preliminary terms for up to $850,000 in tax increment financing to renovate the former Office Max building at 2700 Ingersoll Avenue, by a 5–1 vote with one abstention.
Approved preliminary terms. Moved by Gatto, seconded by Voss. Nays: Mandelbaum. Council Member Gatto declared a conflict of interest and abstained (as the minutes record it). Passed 5–1; voting no: Josh Mandelbaum.
What this means (Tax increment financing (TIF)): Within an urban renewal area, the extra property tax from rising values can be set aside for a period of years to pay for projects or incentives in that area, instead of going to the usual taxing bodies.
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 | No |
| Joe Gatto | Ward 4 | Abstain |
More from the record
Ingersoll Properties Group, LLC plans an $8.2 million renovation of the 32,437-square-foot building that once held an Office Max and Dollar General, and its parking lot. UnityPoint’s PACE program for 55 to 65 older adults is slated for the west two-thirds; the rest is not leased. The developer agreed to make 50 parking spaces public for 15 years. The terms give TIF of up to $850,000 (net present value) instead of tax abatement, which staff wrote is less than the abatement the site could get by right. Value is expected to rise from $2,880,000 to about $7,314,000. Council Communication 26-212 (saved copy)
The alternative
No other options were presented in the record.
Money
- Who
- City of Des Moines
- How
- Up to $850,000 TIF (80% for seven years). City estimate: $2,326,329 net taxes over 10 years vs. $1,126,180 without the project
- When
- Construction summer 2026 to early 2027
- Source
- Council Communication 26-212 (saved copy)
Access to services
- Who
- Older adults in the PACE program
- How
- Day services and programs for 55 to 65 participants on weekdays
- When
- Early 2027
- Source
- Council Communication 26-212 (saved copy)
Time and getting around
- Who
- People visiting the Ingersoll area
- How
- 50 public parking spaces for 15 years
- When
- After completion
- Source
- Council Communication 26-212 (saved copy)
Source Agenda for the whole meeting, item 31 (saved copy) · Full minutes for the whole Jun 8, 2026 meeting, p. 10 (roll call 26-0678) (saved copy) · Council Communication 26-212 (saved copy)