Page 71 - Reflect DSM (City of Des Moines, IA)
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associations, community groups, students, formally and informally, of stories, events,
etc. will begin to reframe the community’s and places from all community members to
understanding of the historic preservation make it clear that the community values all
program and work towards building more residents, past and present. This shift in the
support for the work to be done. focus of the program, and of the program’s
goals and priorities, will work in conjunction
Sense of Belonging with many of the other challenges
mentioned. Focusing on intangible
The current set of designated historic
landmarks and districts recognizes a heritage, on buildings with potential reuse
particular subset of Des Moines’ history. This opportunities, and on important landscapes
history is one which many residents cannot throughout the city begin to expand the
relate to. The Plan serves an important role reach of the historic preservation program.
in re-prioritizing the research of stories from Coupling these approaches with a robust
all points in time, of all cultural backgrounds outreach program will work towards a
and from all perspectives to ensure a more more comprehensive historic preservation
comprehensive look at Des Moines’ history. program that can be embraced
It can also prioritize the celebration, both community-wide.
Figure 34. Downtown skyline (Source: Jacob Couppee)
Adopted Plan (September 2023) 65
