By Beacon Staff
Site construction work starts on the Tama II building next week, and according to Des Moines-based developer Doug Wells, people should be moving into the upper story apartments by the end of August.
There will be 24 apartments on the upper two stories of the building, consisting of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments – all with one bathroom. Prices will range from $708 to $1,500. The first floor will be retail space facing Jefferson Street, and Wells is hoping to have a cafe move in so customers can take advantage of the courtyard.
Wells and his development team held an informational meeting Friday night at the Capitol Theater, apprising downtown business owners of the rough construction schedule.
Wells promised that major construction won’t start until after the holiday season, ensuring intermittent road closures around the corner of Third and Jefferson Streets won’t impact the holiday parade or downtown holiday activities in December.
The new building, dubbed Tama II or Tama Too (Wells said both titles are correct) will replace the former Tama Complex, which was destroyed by fire August 2018. Wells and his team, including Myers Construction out of Mediapolis, hope to have much of the building complete by the end of February.
Of course, weather will play a big part in that timeline. Except for heavy snow, the team expects to continue working through the winter, coordinating snow removal with the city. So far, the structural engineering and construction of retaining walls has been completed.
Interior units will have balconies overlooking a public, landscaped courtyard that will incorporate historic elements salvaged from the former Tama Complex. Each tenant will be allowed two parking spots in the 56-unit indoor parking garage at 110 N. Third St., much to the relief of business owners who met with the Tama development team Friday night.
By the time TIGER grant construction makes its way down to the corner of Jefferson and Third Street in fall of next year, work on the new Tama building should be wrapped up.
“We’re thrilled that this is all happening,” said Art Center and Capitol Theater director Tammy McCoy. McCoy does have concerns, though, since the non-profit Art Center will suffer most in terms of access when construction does begin. “We lived through the fire and the fence blocking us off forever, and I was able to make it through COVID without firing anyone,” she said. “We can’t take much more.”
The other downtown business owners around Tama building expressed similar concerns, but were equally optimistic about the completion of the building.
Dylan Hoenig, project engineer with Myers Construction, ensured that the main thoroughfare would never be completely closed. When there are closures on Jefferson Street, it will be one lane at a time and only for a short periods of a day or so. The sidewalks will be closed, however, with the exception of the intersections so people can cross the street.
Because of the nature of the grant funding, Wells said the apartments come first and then the retail shops. He said his team will be providing regular construction updates through the “Historic Tama Complex” Facebook page.
“It is going to emulate the character and spirit of the original building a lot, but it’s going to have some fun new things,” Wells said.
For leasing information, email studio@wells-plus.com, or call (515) 327-0007.