City of Des Moines extends closures due to pandemic
Des Moines administrative buildings will remain closed until July 6 due to coronavirus concerns.
Mayor Frank Cownie made the announcement Tuesday. The buildings, which closed on March 17, were scheduled to reopen on June 15.
City officials said the extended closure includes the City Hall, Armory, Municipal Service Center, and Public Works buildings, the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Authority and the office location for the Civil & Human Rights Department.
“While we will keep buildings closed to the public until after the Fourth of July weekend, we will start returning small numbers of employees to the workplace on June 15,” Cownie said. “By doing this in phases, we can safely and effectively manage the situation for our employees and the public we serve.”
The mayor’s full proclamation can be found here.
Des Moines Parks and Recreation officials also announced estimated reopening dates.
Enclosed and open-air shelters will open June 15. Fourmile Skate Park will open by June 12. Portions of Gray’s Lake park will begin to open on June 15, including parking lots, restrooms and concession stands. The lake will not be open to swimming.
Playgrounds will open by June 12, but equipment will not be sanitized.
Softball fields and sports complexes are set to open by June 15. Splash pools, spraygrounds and wading pools are closed for the season.
City officials said only Birdland Pool and Teachout Aquatic Center pools will open on July 6 for lap swimming and instruction. Open swimming will not be allowed.