Justin Mandelbaum was back before the city of Des Moines Urban Design Review Board this week to provide an update on an $106 million, 32-story mixed-use tower called The Fifth that would be built where a city parking lot stands today at Fifth and Court avenues. Many aspects are in flux, as you might imagine for a project of that size, but the basic elements stay the same: A movie theater, a climbing wall, apartments that will rent at the top end of the local market. A rendering even anticipates a future with two-way traffic on Fifth. Mandelbaum said he was before the board, which is made of commercial real estate experts and various specialties, to gather their thoughts on the project. A solid wall along Fifth has to open up in order to engage passers-by, preferably foot traffic, given the board’s predilection to turn downtown into a pedestrian-friendly zone. Landscape designer and board member Dennis Reynolds said he liked the project but couldn’t support it if the solid wall remained. The presentation generated encouraging banter between Mandelbaum and the board. Justin’s father, John Mandelbaum, attended the meeting. He has been in the real estate business a long time and is currently pretty enthusiastic about the intersection of First Street and Grand Avenue in West Des Moines, where Mandelbaum Properties is doing major renovation. One notable tenant will remain. West Des Moines True Value Hardware, which has occupied its spot at 100 Grand Ave. for several decades, has signed a lease that will run another decade and plans about $250,000 in improvements. Justin Mandelbaum has said he wants The Fifth to serve as a testament to his father’s contributions to Greater Des Moines.