Des Moines, IA (January 8, 2019) – Hubbell Realty Company has started construction of the Gray’s Station pedestrian bridge following City Council plan approvals. This bridge will connect the 75-acre Gray’s Station neighborhood to the north of the Raccoon River with Gray’s Lake trails as well as the Water Works Park tunnel, trails and amphitheater.
The bridge will be installed over the course of the next seven months and the anticipated completion is set for late summer. As seen in the renderings, the bridge will feature overlook points along the Raccoon River, as well as a handicap accessible ramp to the Gray’s Lake, Kruidenier and Meredith trails. The bridge will include an array of specialized lighting that will provide of color patterns at night.
“This bridge, along with Water Works Park underpass at Fleur, will not only connect Gray’s Lake and Gray’s Station, but it will serve as enhanced access points into downtown Des Moines and all Central Iowa’s trail systems. We carefully considered the lighting and popularity of the current Gray’s Lake bridge in our design to tie this project to the area,” said Joe Pietruszynski, Senior Vice President of Development and Construction with Hubbell.
The bordering wetland park system, constructed by the City of Des Moines, has also started. In line with Plan DSM, the water basin, which currently manages more than 300 acres of downtown drainage that is pumped into the Raccoon River, will be reconstructed to become a regional storm water amenity. The city of Des Moines will be planting native plants in the basin to help filter the water prior to it reaching the Raccoon River.
“This amenity is the path for better storm water management and this wetland park system can now be an educational focal point. This will be an example of how we can use natural resources – plants, grasses, wildlife – to clean our waters before they enter the rivers,” said Pietruszynski.
Hubbell continues to make progress on Linc, an apartment along MLK Jr. Parkway and the first community to be built within Gray’s Station. Hubbell Homes expects to begin constructing for sale, single family homes in early spring 2019.
