Work on the project began last fall.

According to Jim Hoff, Des Moines’ facility manager, much of the site and grading work is complete and underground utilities surrounding the building pad have been installed. Most of the facility’s precast exterior walls have been erected, he said.

Winter weather caused about a two-week delay on the project but construction is still slated to be completed by May 31, 2022, according to Hoff. Weather-related delays were built into construction schedule, he said.

The facility will provide storage for city vehicles and shop areas as well as office space, locker rooms and break areas for city workers, as well as covered fueling island and vehicle wash bays. Parking will be included for between 100 and 125 city vehicles.

The facility will replace the current public works yards north of Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway between Southeast Second and Southeast Fifth streets. The city accelerated plans to move the facilities out of the area because of increasing redevelopment interest.