The developer of a large retail center in Altoona wants construction to start within the next few weeks on what he said will be a “big deal” for the east side of the Des Moines metro.
Heart of America Group is building The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing, an $80 million complex of big box retailers that Mike Whalen said is known as a “power center.” Whalen is the founder and CEO of the Heart of America Group.
The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing will be immediately south of Outlets of Des Moines on more than 38 acres of land ringed by Bass Pro Drive Northwest, Prairie Fire Northwest and Tallgrass Parkway.
The hope is for construction to start no later than June 1, but it is too early to say what the retailer tenants will be, Whalen said. Tenants want to make those announcements themselves but may do so in about 60 days, he said.
Whalen said there are not many retail complexes like The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing around the country or in the metro. “The Waukee Towne Center is similar, but smaller,” he said.
Retailers at The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing would want to open their stores in fall 2027, he said, and some underground infrastructure work has already been done.
The City of Altoona has agreed to incentives for the project. Economic development director Chad Quick said the city is offering $8.85 million in tax rebate incentives that would be paid over 11 years following the retail complex’s completion.
Phillip Sitter covers the suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at PSitter@usatodayco.com. Find out more about him online in the Register’s staff directory.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Retail ‘power center’ coming to Altoona with plan to open in 2027
Reporting by Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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