The council approved a $1,045,700 contract to repair the outside of 12 downtown skywalk bridges, by a 7–0 vote.
Approved plans, specifications and the engineer’s estimate, and named Minturn, Inc. (Brooklyn, Iowa) the lowest responsive, responsible bidder at $1,045,700: a $972,700 base bid plus $73,000 for the 5th Avenue bridge. A second roll call (26-0932) approved the contract and bond, 7–0. 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 |
Without the 5th Avenue bridge
Failed 2–5
| Official | Seat | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Boesen | Mayor | No |
| Carl Voss | At-large | No |
| Mike Simonson | At-large | No |
| Rob X. Barron | Ward 1 | Yes |
| Linda Westergaard | Ward 2 | No |
| Josh Mandelbaum | Ward 3 | Yes |
| Joe Gatto | Ward 4 | No |
More from the record
The City owns 52 skywalk bridges and is responsible for repairing them. After bid calls in 2022 and March 2026 drew zero bids, the City Engineer rebid the work on July 14, 2026. This first of three phases repairs exterior finishes, waterproofs joints and glazing seals, replaces lighting and cleans 12 skywalk bridges along Grand Avenue downtown. At the June 29 meeting the council asked for a separate price to keep the bridge over 5th Avenue (4E-5E) open, which was added as "Add-Alternate No. 1." The item was submitted by the City Engineer. Council Communication 26-270 (saved copy)
The alternative
A motion by Council Member Mandelbaum to approve the contract without the 5th Avenue bridge (Add-Alternate No. 1) failed 2–5. City staff also priced two other options for that bridge: demolition, estimated at $500,000 to $750,000, or permanently closing it off, estimated at $75,000 plus ongoing heating and cooling costs. If the work is not done, staff wrote, the bridges would keep degrading, with more emergency repairs and closures. Minutes, item 61 (saved copy) · Council Communication 26-270 (saved copy)
Money
- Who
- City of Des Moines capital budget (Skywalk System, SW094)
- How
- $1,045,700 construction contract. The City Engineer had estimated $700,000 ($640,000 base plus $60,000 for the 5th Avenue bridge). Staff wrote that contractors cited elevated work, downtown traffic control and repeated moves around special events.
- When
- Contract approved Aug 3, 2026; funded from the 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program
- Source
- Council Communication 26-270 (saved copy)
Time and getting around
- Who
- People using or passing under 12 skywalk bridges along Grand Avenue and nearby streets
- How
- Construction work over streets; staff note "significant traffic control in downtown." Specific closure dates: Not in the record.
- When
- Expected to start summer 2026 and finish spring 2027
- Source
- Council Communication 26-270 (saved copy)
Health and safety
- Who
- Pedestrians at street level next to the skywalks
- How
- Recessed lighting replaced with LED lighting "to improve safety of adjacent street level pedestrians"; water damage repairs to seals and joints
- When
- Summer 2026 to spring 2027
- Source
- Council Communication 26-270 (saved copy)
Source Agenda for the whole meeting, item 61 (saved copy) · Full minutes for the whole Aug 3, 2026 meeting, p. 13 (roll call 26-0931 and 26-0932) (saved copy) · Resolution and roll call 26-0931 (saved copy) · Council Communication 26-270 (saved copy)