By: Mary Carr Lee, Mayors Innovation Project
Connie Boesen’s election as the first woman to lead Iowa’s Capitol city is both a historic milestone and a call to action. She views her role not just as a personal achievement, but as an opportunity to inspire future leaders and strengthen every corner of the city.
“Neighborhood redevelopment is essential to restoring financial stability and community pride; it is crucial for Des Moines’ long-term vitality,” Mayor Boesen explains. “The city already has strong foundations – we have rich history and solid structural bones – but specific areas require targeted reinvestment to thrive once again.”
A Vision Rooted in Community
A cornerstone of this vision is the Improving Our Neighborhoods (ION) program, a program designed to assist homeowners in aging and smaller entry level homes make exterior repairs. Rather than allowing older structures to deteriorate or be replaced by luxury builds, the program prioritizes essential renovations like roof replacements, siding updates, and utility upgrades. Boesen notes that this preservation is vital for ensuring families can continue to grow within the city’s long-established communities.
Another program, Invest DSM provides matching grants for income-qualified homeowners to make renovations to their homes, build new homes, or rebuild commercial areas of the neighborhood. The aim is to support residents in staying in their homes while preventing properties from deteriorating and losing significant value.
“Our goal is to recapture the vitality we once saw across all our neighborhoods,” says Boesen. “When homes are safe, well-maintained, and affordable, property values improve and residents feel a deeper investment in their surroundings.”
Balancing Growth and Affordability
Like many expanding mid-sized cities, Des Moines faces the challenge of balancing economic progress with housing costs. Boesen advocates for a thoughtful, incremental approach to redevelopment. Rather than pursuing massive overhauls that might displace longtime residents, the city aims to stabilize existing housing resources.
While residential pockets are her priority, Mayor Boesen also sees immense potential in downtown Des Moines. The city center has evolved into a vibrant urban hub, largely due to the conversion of vacant office and commercial buildings into residential units. This shift increases density and provides a built-in customer base for local businesses.
The Historic East Village neighborhood stands as a testament to this transformation. The East Village is a vibrant and diverse district located between the Iowa State Capitol and the Des Moines River in downtown Des Moines. It is easily accessible by car, bike, bus, or foot. At one time underutilized, the district is now a hub of entrepreneurship, culture and a unique vibrancy. Mayor Boesen credits local business owners for this success, noting that their willingness to take risks has created an environment where residents and visitors alike can enjoy a thriving social scene.
Navigating Infrastructure and Economy
Progress, however, requires a functional backbone. Des Moines faces significant demands for road, bridge, and water system maintenance. While a local sales tax dedicated to road improvements has provided a boost, the costs to maintain and improve infrastructure remain substantial.
Mayor Boesen emphasizes the necessity of proactive maintenance to avoid the exponentially higher cost of fixing infrastructure after it breaks. The city is also exploring energy-efficient upgrades to reduce long-term operating costs and improve the city’s sustainability and resiliency towards extreme weather. These local efforts are especially critical given the uncertainty of federal funding and shifting national political climates.
Experience That Shapes Leadership
Boesen’s approach is informed by decades of public service on the Des Moines school board and city council. Her time on the school board provided a front-row seat to the social challenges facing families, from poverty to educational gaps. These experiences taught her how municipal finances, housing policy, and social equity intersect.
When asked what success looks like at the end of her first term, Boesen points to a shift in civic spirit rather than a single project. “If people feel a stronger commitment to making Des Moines the best it can be, then we’re on the right track,” she says. Ultimately, her tenure is built on the belief that a city only succeeds when its neighborhoods, and the people within them, feel safe, connected, and proud to call Des Moines home.