Joe's Square • 12-05-07

The Hansen Co. has completed the on-site grading for Joe's Square at 2821 Beaver Ave., across the street from Christopher's restaurant, in Beaverdale.

"The processes of pouring footings, the masonry shaft walls and elevator walls are scheduled to begin in several weeks," said Craig Faber, vice president of Hansen.

Joe's Square will total 23,000 square feet, with retail space on the ground level and office space on the second level. Erik Raker, president of Raker Rhodes Engineering LLC, which is working on the project, said, "It is a sharp building that is new, but stays with the traditional style of the strip there."

Tim Rypma, the Hansen contractor for the project, said the signed tenants include a dentist's office and sushi restaurant; discussions are in progress with a tanning salon and a decision will be made soon for the tenants of the drive-through coffeehouse. The sushi restaurant and coffeehouse will have outdoor seating.

The Des Moines City Council approved a development agreement between the city and Joe's Square LLC at its Nov. 5 meeting, providing a $350,000 economic development grant in seven annual payments after the completion of the Joe's Square project.

Joe's Square is part of the Beaverdale Commercial Area Urban Renewal Area.