Tag Archives: Events

SCRUB set for April 20

The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association will once again partner with Des Moines Public Works to host the annual Spring Clean Up to Reduce Urban Blight (SCRUB) from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at Hoover High School on Aurora Avenue. SCRUB allows Des Moines residents to discard unwanted items including furniture, televisions, appliances, tires, hazardous waste, and other materials for free. Yard debris will be collected on April 20th at the MWA Compost Center at 1601 Harriett Street. For complete SCRUB program details, visit the Des Moines Public Works webpage or call 283-4950.

Quarterly Meeting on April 18

Learn about the 2-1-1 information and referral service, and get an update on how the Merle Hay Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district is performing, when the Merle Hay Neighborhood Association meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at the Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. We expect to have a guest speaker from 2-1-1, followed by staff from the City of Des Moines (City).

The 2-1-1 helpline provides callers with information on tax preparation assistance, rent payment assistance, utility payment assistance, elderly care, child care programs, legal services, food pantries, and more. Questions will follow a short presentation by a 2-1-1 staff member.

MHNA has also invited staff from the City’s Office of Economic Development to provide an overview of the TIF district, how it’s performing, and how it’s being used to aid redevelopment at Merle Hay Mall and other nearby commercial properties. Moving forward, MHNA has asked the City Council and City staff to make sure the TIF is also used to fund streetscape improvements, consistent with the 2008 Merle Hay neighborhood improvement plan. A list of public improvement priorities was formally submitted to the City Council in January 2017.

We’ll have plenty of other neighborhood updates, public safety information, and more. Refreshments will be provided. Come meet your neighbors and find out how you can help improve OUR neighborhood. We look forward to a great turnout on April 18. Please invite your neighbors!