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Creating opportunities with housing and transit

  • Writer: PCHTF
    PCHTF
  • 2 hours ago
  • 2 min read
Participants gather outside DART Central Station in Downtown Des Moines following a trip along the new bus Route 4.
Participants gather outside DART Central Station in Downtown Des Moines following a trip along the new bus Route 4.

The launch of our region's redesigned transit network is just days away on June 14. To celebrate, we joined the transit agency DART to check out a key new bus route that will connect local people to jobs, services, and great neighborhoods.


For many local people and families, quality transit and affordable housing are vital for accessing opportunity, financial security, and well-being. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that across all American households, housing and transportation together take up just more than half of the typical household budget.


Our tour explored Route 4 connecting Downtown Des Moines to Urbandale, Clive, Windsor Heights and West Des Moines. Buses will serve the route in both directions every 30 minutes most of the day, 7 days a week.


A DART bus outside Polk County River Place
A DART bus outside Polk County River Place

On the tour, we visited Polk County River Place, a major social service hub for the region providing food security, crime victim advocacy, emergency supports, veterans services, and more for community members. The new transit system makes it easier and faster for people to connect to services they need, which is vital for the 61% of transit riders who do not have access to a car, according to rider surveys.


Route 4 offers easy access to a range of community amenities, jobs services, educational centers, community events, and more. It also crosses several other DART routes, making for convenient transfers from place to place without traveling through Downtown.


Transit boosts the quality of life in walkable, vibrant neighborhoods along the route like the Historic East Village, Highland Park, Historic Valley Junction and the Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand. It offers residents easy ways to get around (without having to find parking).


Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen addresses tour guests in Scoops by Beth, a new local business in Highland Park, an up-and-coming Des Moines neighborhood.
Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen addresses tour guests in Scoops by Beth, a new local business in Highland Park, an up-and-coming Des Moines neighborhood.

During the tour, we passed multiple housing properties PCHTF has helped finance, such as Lillis Lofts next to Merle Hay Mall in Urbandale or Star Lofts that recently opened on Ingersoll Avenue. Living next to transit helps residents in these properties get to work, school, and community events across the area.


Tour participants observe as a mural is painted on the side of the Star Lofts property on Ingersoll Avenue.
Tour participants observe as a mural is painted on the side of the Star Lofts property on Ingersoll Avenue.

You can discover the full impact of the Route 4 and all the benefits of the new transit system by downloading our tour booklet highlighting this important service.



We hope you'll join us in trying out the new DART system! From the launch of the new network June 14 until the end of June, all transit routes are free on DART to give you a chance to explore for yourself. Visit RideDART.com to plan your trip.

 
 
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