The City will have the option to invite SRI to travel to Des Moines for up to two additional visits. If the City exercises this option, SRI will be paid a negotiated amount to participate in the required meetings. Funds are available from the Office of Economic Development Operating Budget. A final detailed Park plan is necessary to enable the project. The Preliminary Development Plan for the Park identified a process to develop the final plan.
Progress made to date includes the following.
In November 2000, the City surveyed agribusinesses located within a 40-mile radius of Des Moines and all biotechnology companies in Iowa to determine future land use needs. In January 2001, the City secured land use planning services for the Park project. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted funds to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Rock Island, Illinois, under an interagency agreement. The Corps hired Stanley Consultants Inc., who is subcontracting part of the work with RDG Crose Gardner Shukert. Both firms are located in Des Moines.