The June WHO monthly meeting will be held virtually Tue. June 16.
After cancelling regular meetings in March - May, the WHO will hold a membership meeting online via Zoom conferencing technology over the internet.
When: 7pm on Tuesday, June 16
Where: online using Zoom
How: internet link to Zoom meeting TBA. Link to draft meeting agenda here.
- The annual meeting, featuring officer and board elections continues to be postponed and will NOT occur during the June 16 Zoom meeting. -
The WHO Board continues to monitor official guidance regarding the COVID-19 Public Health Disaster Emergency. The WHO Board will take a careful, reasoned approach to planning for meetings in July and later (including the postponed annual meeting). Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
June 1, 2020
May 6, 2020
May 2020 meeting CANCELLED
The Woodland Heights Organization is cancelling its regular May business including cancelling the May monthly meeting. The annual meeting (including officer and board elections) is postponed to a later date.
The WHO Board met by phone Tuesday, May 5 and reviewed the Iowa Governor's latest COVID-19 disaster proclamation extending the State Public Health Emergency Declaration until May 27 while lifting certain restrictions on May 15; and also reviewed the latest City of Des Moines announcement that the city will extend both the closure of its administration buildings (until June 15) and a freeze on permits for public events and activities (until July 1).
The WHO Board is monitoring conditions and will regularly communicate with Woodland Heights neighbors regarding upcoming meetings and events.
Thanks to all for your patience and understanding. The WHO Board encourages everyone to stay safe and abide by the rules and recommendations including social distancing and good hygiene practices.
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This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
April 7, 2020
April 2020 meeting CANCELLED
The Woodland Heights Organization is cancelling its regular April business including cancelling the April monthly meeting. The annual meeting (including officer and board elections) is postponed to a later date.
The WHO Board met by phone Monday, April 6 and reviewed the Iowa Governor's latest COVID-19 disaster proclamations closing many businesses and barring public gatherings of 10 or more people until April 30.
The WHO Board is monitoring conditions and will regularly communicate with Woodland Heights neighbors regarding upcoming meetings and events.
Thanks to all for your patience and understanding. The WHO Board encourages everyone to stay safe and abide by the rules and recommendations including social distancing and good hygiene practices.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
The WHO Board met by phone Monday, April 6 and reviewed the Iowa Governor's latest COVID-19 disaster proclamations closing many businesses and barring public gatherings of 10 or more people until April 30.
The WHO Board is monitoring conditions and will regularly communicate with Woodland Heights neighbors regarding upcoming meetings and events.
Thanks to all for your patience and understanding. The WHO Board encourages everyone to stay safe and abide by the rules and recommendations including social distancing and good hygiene practices.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
March 14, 2020
March 17, 2020 meeting CANCELLED
The originally-scheduled March monthly WHO meeting (serving as the annual meeting, featuring officer and board elections) has been CANCELLED and elections postponed.
Taking the lead from Scottish Rite Park, the Des Moines Public Schools, and many other civic institutions, cancelled events, and cancelled meetings, the Woodland Heights Organization has cancelled its March 17 monthly meeting. We believe that in cancelling we are doing our part to help slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe it is best not to encourage people to meet in groups so we are erring on the side of caution.
In the coming weeks we will be monitoring the situation and will announce when and where the annual meeting and elections will be held (possibly Tue. April 21).
Thanks to all for your patience and understanding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
Taking the lead from Scottish Rite Park, the Des Moines Public Schools, and many other civic institutions, cancelled events, and cancelled meetings, the Woodland Heights Organization has cancelled its March 17 monthly meeting. We believe that in cancelling we are doing our part to help slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe it is best not to encourage people to meet in groups so we are erring on the side of caution.
In the coming weeks we will be monitoring the situation and will announce when and where the annual meeting and elections will be held (possibly Tue. April 21).
Thanks to all for your patience and understanding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
February 19, 2020
Welcome Pilot Project Starts
The Woodland Heights Organization Welcome Wagon Committee created and distributed 9 or 10 welcome bags Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.
Back in December 2019, the WHO membership approved a pilot project, lasting 3 months, where selected new neighbors would receive a welcome-to-the-neighborhood package featuring a baked item and information about the WHO.
Already, the group has received a positive response from 1 new neighbor who received the small gift. Look for more results and updates after the 3-month-pilot concludes in March 2020.
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This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
 |
| Welcome Wagon shows off completed Welcome Bags before distribution 2/15/2020 |
Back in December 2019, the WHO membership approved a pilot project, lasting 3 months, where selected new neighbors would receive a welcome-to-the-neighborhood package featuring a baked item and information about the WHO.
Already, the group has received a positive response from 1 new neighbor who received the small gift. Look for more results and updates after the 3-month-pilot concludes in March 2020.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
Ingersoll Streetscape Presentation at Feb. 2020 WHO Meeting
The Woodland Heights Organization held its February monthly meeting on Tue. Feb. 18, 2020. Meeting attendees had many questions for the guests, presenting on Phase 1 of the 4-phase Ingersoll Streetscape Project.
A representative from the engineering firm designing the project spoke first on project details. Each phase of the project will take 1 construction season, with the first phase beginning in 2020. The 2020 progress will include the North side of Ingersoll Ave. from MLK Jr. Pkwy to 24th Street.
The goal of the streetscaping is to create a complete street that is tighter, and more walkable, with calmer traffic. Look for: buried utility lines, safer biking (bike lane separated from traffic lane), mass transit amenities (including mid-block pedestrian crossing), and stormwater improvement (featuring permeable pavers).
Kris Maggard, Exec. Dir. of The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand explained to residents that construction will not be a pleasant process to drive around, but traffic will be able to move down the street and businesses will be accessible. In future phases and years the project will continue westward down Ingersoll Ave. All street parking will converted to parallel parking and more ADA accessibility will be a feature of the completed improvements.
For more information, there will be a public meeting held
Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 5:15pm-6:30pm
in the Noah's Ark Banquet Room @ 2400 Ingersoll Ave.
Maggard also briefly touched on the Hurd property at 31st and Ingersoll. A previous development plan for that large site had fallen through. Maggard told neighbors she expected news about the site (with a new development plan) to be coming in 2021.
Also at the Feb. WHO meeting, Sgt. Scarlett reminded neighbors about the importance of calling in bad or strange things you see to the police dispatch (515) 283-4811. This gets a record of any observation or incident on the computer which can be researched at a later date. Along with updating residents on the regular monthly report, Sgt. Scarlett shared info about the CrimeMapping.com website that anyone can use to research certain reported crimes.
A bit of old business was wrapped up when the WHO group norms were reviewed and generally agreed upon. This came out of an activity held in December 2019.
Finally, it was voted on by the membership to oppose a bill introduced to the legislature that would limit state historic tax credits so they would no longer be available to owner-occupied projects.
The March 17, 2020 WHO monthly meeting is the annual meeting featuring officer and board elections. If you are interested in learning more about the board and volunteer leadership (or know someone who is) check out the calendar page of this site for info on the 2 upcoming board info-session-socials.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
 |
| Scott Ameida of engineering & design firm, Kirkham Mickael at the WHO meeting Feb. 18, 2020 |
A representative from the engineering firm designing the project spoke first on project details. Each phase of the project will take 1 construction season, with the first phase beginning in 2020. The 2020 progress will include the North side of Ingersoll Ave. from MLK Jr. Pkwy to 24th Street.
The goal of the streetscaping is to create a complete street that is tighter, and more walkable, with calmer traffic. Look for: buried utility lines, safer biking (bike lane separated from traffic lane), mass transit amenities (including mid-block pedestrian crossing), and stormwater improvement (featuring permeable pavers).
 |
| Kris Maggard, Executive Director of The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand addresses neighbors Feb. 18, 2020 |
Kris Maggard, Exec. Dir. of The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand explained to residents that construction will not be a pleasant process to drive around, but traffic will be able to move down the street and businesses will be accessible. In future phases and years the project will continue westward down Ingersoll Ave. All street parking will converted to parallel parking and more ADA accessibility will be a feature of the completed improvements.
For more information, there will be a public meeting held
Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 5:15pm-6:30pm
in the Noah's Ark Banquet Room @ 2400 Ingersoll Ave.
Maggard also briefly touched on the Hurd property at 31st and Ingersoll. A previous development plan for that large site had fallen through. Maggard told neighbors she expected news about the site (with a new development plan) to be coming in 2021.
 |
| DMPD's Sgt. Scarlett provides the regular NBSD report to WHO neighbors Feb. 18, 2020 |
Also at the Feb. WHO meeting, Sgt. Scarlett reminded neighbors about the importance of calling in bad or strange things you see to the police dispatch (515) 283-4811. This gets a record of any observation or incident on the computer which can be researched at a later date. Along with updating residents on the regular monthly report, Sgt. Scarlett shared info about the CrimeMapping.com website that anyone can use to research certain reported crimes.
 |
| Cameron updates the WHO on proposed group norms at the February monthly meeting 2/18/2020 |
A bit of old business was wrapped up when the WHO group norms were reviewed and generally agreed upon. This came out of an activity held in December 2019.
Finally, it was voted on by the membership to oppose a bill introduced to the legislature that would limit state historic tax credits so they would no longer be available to owner-occupied projects.
The March 17, 2020 WHO monthly meeting is the annual meeting featuring officer and board elections. If you are interested in learning more about the board and volunteer leadership (or know someone who is) check out the calendar page of this site for info on the 2 upcoming board info-session-socials.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
January 24, 2020
Neighborhood kicks off 2020 with cookies, social
In lieu of a typical business meeting in the month of January, the Woodland Heights Organization hosted a social, the 2020 New Year Cookie (& Dessert) Kick-off.
WHO neighbors, guests, and friends enjoyed wishing each other a Happy New Year, reminiscing about the past year, and planning for the future.
An optional conversation activity was made available and party attendees could enjoy a photo slideshow displayed on a large screen. The Welcome Wagon had supplies available for members to make reusable name tags that will be brought to all WHO monthly meetings.
Several announcements were made including the outcomes of the Jan. 16 Plan & Zoning Commission meeting.
- The request to rezone 2415 Ingersoll Ave to allow for animal service and boarding for a pet day care business was continued to the March 5 P&Z meeting.
- The review and approval of the site plan for 2701 Ingersoll Ave (currently the Star gas station) to be redeveloped into a 3-bay retail center was approved by P&Z along with the staff recommendations.
- There was a hearing on the proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance related to short term lodging rentals (Airbnb). This will come up at the City Council Jan. 27 where they will set a date for a hearing on this issue before the City Council. That hearing will most likely be on Feb. 10.
Other announcements included: advertising the Feb. 18 WHO monthly meeting, announcing that the March 17 WHO meeting will be the annual meeting featuring elections (if you would like to learn more about running for a WHO volunteer leadership role, learn more at a board info-session/social either Sat. Feb. 29 @ Bruegger's Bagels from 9AM-11AM or Wed. Mar. 4 @ Star Bar from 6pm-8pm).
Lastly, an elected leader, City Council Member, Josh Mandelbaum was in attendance at the social event. He shared some remarks and took questions from the gathering and spoke on transportation, housing, revitalization, and the budget, among other subjects.
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This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
 |
| Neighbors enjoy desserts at the 2020 New Year Cookie Kick-off at Scottish Rite Park on Jan. 21, 2020 |
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| WHO members socialize during the New Year Cookie Kick-off January 21, 2020 |
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| Neighbors enjoy the dessert potluck and photo slideshow at the WHO social event Jan. 21, 2020 |
- The request to rezone 2415 Ingersoll Ave to allow for animal service and boarding for a pet day care business was continued to the March 5 P&Z meeting.
- The review and approval of the site plan for 2701 Ingersoll Ave (currently the Star gas station) to be redeveloped into a 3-bay retail center was approved by P&Z along with the staff recommendations.
- There was a hearing on the proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance related to short term lodging rentals (Airbnb). This will come up at the City Council Jan. 27 where they will set a date for a hearing on this issue before the City Council. That hearing will most likely be on Feb. 10.
Other announcements included: advertising the Feb. 18 WHO monthly meeting, announcing that the March 17 WHO meeting will be the annual meeting featuring elections (if you would like to learn more about running for a WHO volunteer leadership role, learn more at a board info-session/social either Sat. Feb. 29 @ Bruegger's Bagels from 9AM-11AM or Wed. Mar. 4 @ Star Bar from 6pm-8pm).
 |
| City Council Member, Josh Mandelbaum speaks with neighbors at the social event Jan. 21, 2020 |
Lastly, an elected leader, City Council Member, Josh Mandelbaum was in attendance at the social event. He shared some remarks and took questions from the gathering and spoke on transportation, housing, revitalization, and the budget, among other subjects.
 |
| City Council Member, Josh Mandelbaum addresses the WHO at the 2020 New Year Cookie Kick-off event 1/21/2020 |
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This post typed by Phil.
The Woodland Heights Organization (WHO) is the neighborhood association recognized by the city of Des Moines representing Woodland Heights. Its purpose is is to stabilize, preserve, and revitalize area homes, enhance the quality of life in the neighborhood, and to promote community within our neighborhood amongst all residents and businesses. WHO is a volunteer organization.
for more information email who50312@gmail.com; view past issues of the email newsletter and subscribe at bit.ly/whoemail; like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/whodesmoines
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