Urbandale, Iowa Development News
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City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026
Published: Jul 7, 2026
New Program Launched to Address Home Repair Waitlist
The council considered a new owner-occupied repair program designed to address the significant waitlist for the existing Metro Home Improvement Program (MHIP). The MHIP, administered by MIPA, currently has 18 Urbandale applicants waiting for home repairs, with an estimated decade-long wait time. The new Urbandale program will use the same criteria as MHIP but with a $15,000 cap per repair and allow homeowners to select contractors from a MIPA-approved list, unlike MHIP which uses Home Inc. The city has budgeted for four homes under this new program for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This initiative is intended to reduce the waitlist and improve housing sustainability.
Douglas Avenue Reconfiguration and Downtown Plaza Improvements Underway
The council reviewed updates on the downtown urban infrastructure project, specifically focusing on reconfiguring Douglas Avenue into a three-lane road with parking and painted bumpouts. The project aims to improve traffic flow, add parking, and enhance safety. The first phase involves temporary paint markings to establish the three-lane section and parking without moving curbs, with full build-out planned for the future. Traffic volumes are within the capacity of a three-lane section. The plan has been presented to the downtown stakeholders group and St. Pas the 10th school staff. Additionally, a plaza area in the Big Block development is being improved with concrete, asphalt work, and new fencing to connect adjacent properties, creating placemaking opportunities and rectifying trip hazards. This phase will also yield seven new parking spots and transform an area into a plaza space for everyday use and events.
Urbandale Council Considers New Ordinance for Personal Transportation Devices
The council discussed proposed changes to the municipal code Chapter 75, focusing on personal transportation devices (PTDs). The ordinance aims to regulate devices like bicycles, electric scooters, and e-bikes, defining PTDs as devices with motors under 750 watts and no fuel-powered motors. It establishes rules for operation on roadways, trails, and sidewalks, including speed limits and yielding to pedestrians. Key proposed changes include a hands-free requirement for electronic device use while operating a PTD and restrictions on PTDs exceeding 750 watts or using fuel motors from sidewalks and trails. Enforcement strategies and comparisons with other metro ordinances were also discussed, with a focus on a 750-watt limit for trail and sidewalk use and potential fines for violations.
Douglas Avenue to Become Three Lanes; Downtown Plaza Improvements Detailed
The council received an update on the downtown urban infrastructure project, focusing on the reconfiguration of Douglas Avenue into a three-lane road. This project, part of the downtown master plan, aims to improve traffic flow and add parking. The initial phase will involve restriping to create a three-lane configuration with parking without altering curbs, with a full build-out planned for the future. The plan has been reviewed by stakeholders and local school representatives. Additionally, improvements to the Big Block plaza area are underway, including closing an unused entrance, creating a new access road, adding parking, and developing a plaza space. This work is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
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The Urbandale News archive
Special City Council Meeting - June 22, 2026
City Council Meeting - June 16, 2026
City Council Lunch & Learn Meeting - June 9, 2026
Urbandale CSD School Board Meeting 06.8.26
City Council Meeting - June 1, 2026
Urbandale High School Class of 2026 Commencement
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