Page 16 - Reflect DSM (City of Des Moines, IA)

VISION FOR PRESERVATION IN DES MOINES

In Des Moines, historic preservation has the potential of playing a crucial and leading role in
addressing contemporary social, economic, and material challenges. This includes systemic
inequities and exclusion, lack of affordable housing, homogenized development, the
decommissioning of historic schools, churches, fire stations and other community assets, and
the loss of cultural and intangible heritage.
It envisions that:

Des Moines values and respects the intangible heritage and
the tangible places that reflect all its histories to create a

vibrant and sustainable community where everyone belongs.

In addition to the vision statement describing the future of the City's historic preservation
program, the mission statement describes how to achieve this vision:

The Des Moines historic preservation program identifies and
protects the cultural and historic resources that define and enliven
the city, while deliberately advancing equity. It partners with
community members, organizations, and other stakeholders.
Through regular and effective engagement strategies, it makes its
preservation approaches – regulations, tools, technical assistance,
and funding – comprehensible, accessible and beneficial to all.

The Plan also establishes three goals for the City’s historic preservation program. These goals
advance the programs and define its work plan for the next 10-20 years.

Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3

Equitable and Community- Strategically
Inclusive Centered Integrated

10 DES MOINES Citywide Historic Preservation Plan