DES MOINES, Iowa – After more than 14 months of COVID precautions, restrictions, and closures to the public, Des Moines next week will reopen its City administration buildings.
The reopening on Tuesday, June 1 includes the City Hall, Argonne Armory, Municipal Service Center, and Public Works buildings, the Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) and the office location for the Civil & Human Rights Department at Polk County River Place.
The City closed its buildings to the public in March of 2020 because of the community spread of the coronavirus. Since then the state has seen 401,432 COVID cases and 6,044 deaths. Polk County experienced 65,314 cases and 634 deaths – the most of any county in Iowa.
The Des Moines City Council will return to in-person meetings on June 14, however, City boards and commissions will not resume their on-site public meetings in the Multiple Service Center (MSC) until August. They had been scheduled to return in July, however, technical upgrades and renovations are being performed in the MSC throughout the next two months.
