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(Des Moines, IA) -- The next housing and business boom is expected to hit the southside of Des Moines.
Cody Christensen is the city's Development Services Director.
"This part of the city does have a lot of area for growth," Christensen says. "There's a lot of open space right now that's just farm fields. We do have some capital improvement projects. Those are the sorts of things the city does in preparation for more development to take place. We do see this area really taking off."
Last week, it was announced that a new owner is taking over the Southridge mall and new restaurants have begun to pop up in the area.
"As you look along the SE 14th St. corridor, we have had some good momentum along there," Christensen says. "We've had the Olive Garden, Cane's restaurant, Starbucks. I think as we see investments made in the Southridge property, that will build more momentum."
He tells WHO Radio News that the city is working on multiple projects in the area. That includes sewer and water expansion, as well as intersection improvements. That includes the area's first roundabout at E. Army Post Road and SE 36th Street.
"Long time coming I'd say," City Councilman Joe Gatto says. "It's probably been talked about for the last three years...I know this is the first one in that area. I know a lot of folks are cautiously optimistic."
The city is hoping to see improvements to the Southridge property within the next year.