The council approved a $656,074-a-year grant to the group building a pro soccer stadium on the city-owned Dico site, and set the schedule for a $7 million grant, by a 5–1 vote with one abstention.
Approved the first amendment to the grant agreement. Moved by Gatto, seconded by Voss. Nays: Gatto (as the minutes record it). Mayor Boesen declared a conflict of interest and abstained. Passed 5–1; voting no: Joe Gatto.
How each member voted
| Official | Seat | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Boesen | Mayor | Abstain |
| 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 | No |
More from the record
The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation (ISDF) is leasing part of the City’s 38-acre Dico Superfund site, south of MLK Parkway between SW 16th Street and the Raccoon River, to build Iowa’s first professional soccer stadium (at least 5,500 seats) and a public plaza by Dec 31, 2029. The lease approved June 8 sets rent at $656,075 a year for 25 years. This amendment gives ISDF a $656,074-a-year grant, paid from that rent, once the stadium and plaza are complete. It also schedules the earlier $7 million grant: $3 million at 75% completion or July 1, 2028; $2 million at 90%; $2 million at 100%. A completion bond is required. Council Communication 26-230 (saved copy)
The alternative
No other options were presented in the record.
Money
- Who
- City of Des Moines
- How
- The $656,074 yearly grant offsets the $656,075 yearly rent ISDF pays, so net rent to the City is about $1 a year once eligible (calculated from the record). Plus $7 million in scheduled grants.
- When
- 25-year lease; grants after completion
- Source
- Council Communication 26-230 (saved copy)
Parks and outdoors
- Who
- Residents and festival groups
- How
- A public plaza and a stadium available for community festivals
- When
- By Dec 31, 2029
- Source
- Council Communication 26-230 (saved copy)
Housing and neighborhood
- Who
- The area near SW 16th Street and the Raccoon River
- How
- Reuse of a city-owned Superfund site that staff wrote "may remain underutilized"
- When
- By Dec 31, 2029
- Source
- Council Communication 26-230 (saved copy)
Source Agenda for the whole meeting, item 38 (saved copy) · Full minutes for the whole Jun 29, 2026 meeting, p. 8 (roll call 26-0755) (saved copy) · Council Communication 26-230 (saved copy)