Des Moines City officials held a Community Meeting on Thursday night, Aug. 21, 2025 to address concerns about the proposed demolition of the historic Masonic Home, emphasizing transparency in the process and outlining next steps as the matter heads to a hearing examiner.
City Manager Katherine Caffrey said she called the meeting after hearing frustrations from residents about trust, transparency and communication.
“The goal of tonight is really to be as transparent as we can be given the situation we’re in and make sure we’re hearing what’s on your mind,” Caffrey said. “It’s really important to me that local government be accessible to people, that you feel like you have visibility into the decisions that are being made even when they may not be the decisions you had hoped for.”
The city confirmed that an appeal of the demolition permit by Citizens for the Protection of Des Moines’ Historic Resources, the Des Moines Historical Society and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and environmental impact statement (EIS) was filed Aug. 18 by Ricklin and Newman, a law firm specializing in historic preservation. The case will be reviewed by an independent hearing examiner, with a public hearing date to be announced.
Community Development Director Rebecca Deming explained that the EIS examined three alternatives:
- No action
- Demolition
- Preservation or adaptive reuse
She said cost studies showed preservation options were “not financially feasible,” with projected rents far above market rates even if additional development occurred on the property.
Mitigation measures under the demolition permit include traffic and noise controls, tree protection, and a $1.2 million payment into a preservation fund dedicated to city-owned landmarks.
“Those funds could be used for structures of historic value such as the Field House or the building we are in right now,” Deming said.
Attendees Voice Frustration During Audience Q&A
During the Q&A, attendees pressed city leaders on alternative ideas to full demolition of the historic site, traffic impacts, future zoning, and the risk of the property sitting vacant if the owner, Zenith Properties, failed to redevelop.
Richard Kennedy, former Mayor and current president of the Des Moines Historical Society, criticized the EIS for not exploring a facade-preservation option.
He cited as an example the “Customs House,” an old building located in downtown Victoria, B.C. that was built in 1914 but was set to be demolished.
“When they looked at what could be done to it, they came up with the same problems that they came up with at the Masonic Home,” he said. “Asbestos, old plumbing, old wiring. It would cost a fortune to rehabilitate the building. So what they did is they kept the facade, the four outside corners of the building, demolished the inside all the way to the basement, and rebuilt it as high-end apartments, which are selling for up to $3 million Canadian.”
“We could keep the western facade. Everything behind it could be demolished and the area from the facade west to Marine View Drive could be kept so that you would be able to drive by it, and it would look substantially the way it does now.”
Other residents expressed frustration about road conditions, potential rezoning, and the property owner’s lack of communication with neighbors. One longtime resident urged the city to push Zenith Properties to “become good neighbors” and work directly with the community.
“I have strongly delivered your message in the past and I am happy to strongly deliver it again,” Caffrey said.
She added that she understood the sadness tied to the building’s history and uncertain future, but stressed the city’s legal obligations.
“As city manager, I do take very seriously my obligation to be a good steward of your public dollars,” she said. “Sometimes that means we have to make decisions that are not popular but comply with the law.”
The city will publish the hearing date and continue accepting community input through its project website.
Video
Below is video of the meeting, as filmed/edited by Scott Schaefer:
Documents/Links:
- Download PowerPoint used at this meeting
- City of Des Moines Demolition Permit
- Historic preservation groups appeal City of Des Moines’ FEIS for Landmark on the Sound demolition
- Appeal of the FEIS for Zenith Properties Demo Permit
- GoFundMe to help pay for the appeal
- City of Des Moines Project Website
- Washington Trust for Historic Preservation
- Link to our extensive previous coverage of this issue
