“Like everyone in the world, we have had to be flexible, make some adjustments and accept some pauses,” said Kathy Coady, a spokesperson with Hope Ministries, which last spring purchased the former Douglas Elementary School site from Experience Church of the Open Bible. The sale price of the property, which includes 5.6 acres, was $2.2 million.

The Des Moines City Council in May approved a request to change the property’s zoning to allow the shelter.

Hope Ministries is making plans to redevelop the site, but because of the outbreak of COVID, meeting with people to discuss plans has been difficult, Coady said.

“We’re going to continue to be flexible and move forward in the right way. We don’t have a firm timeframe for anything right now. …

“We’re just really focused on remaining steadfast in our vision.”

Plans remain in place to tear down the original, multi-story school building, which has mold and asbestos in it, Coady said. “That has to be removed before any new construction can occur, but again, I don’t have a definite time frame.”

Related article: Homeless shelter proposed at former Des Moines school

A Commercial Real Estate Weekly feature in which the status of projects underway in the Greater Des Moines area is updated. Want to include an update about your project or suggest a project to include? Email: kathybolten@bpcdm.com.