Des Moines to purchase, save endangered Highland Park historic building

The city of Des Moines plans to purchase and fix up an endangered historic building in the Highland Park neighborhood.

City inspectors designated the 117-year-old International Order of Odd Fellows fraternal hall a public nuisance and menace to health and safety earlier this year. Neighborhood Services first noticed that the flooring and roof was deteriorating in October 2023.

Now, the city will pay $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the 200 Euclid Ave. property. A resolution listed on the consent portion of Monday's City Council agenda, which will likely be approved without discussion, notes that staff will solicit bids for a general contractor to stabilize the property.

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After the fraternal hall is safe for use, the city will choose a developer to completely rehabilitate the building.

"It's great news," said Des Moines Heritage Trust Chair Tim Waddell, who listed the hall as one of the city's "most endangered buildings" on the trust's annual roundup. "It tells you that the City of Des Moines has prioritized it as a building that they want to see something happen to."

Not all buildings on the trust's list are saved. The Highland Park Apartments building, which was on last year's , has since been demolished in favor of a new, mixed-use development .

A communication to City Council members says that the city has an interest in intervening to save the I.O.O.F. Hall due to the property's historic value and potential as housing. The hall has 12 apartments that are currently vacant, and the last first-floor tenant, A to Z Pawn, moved out a couple years ago.

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Iowa's State Historic Preservation Office will review and approve the rehabilitation work. Once the hall is restored, at least seven apartments will be designated as income-restricted, workforce housing for a period of 15 years.

What's the history of I.O.O.F. Hall?

Built in 1907, I.O.O.F. Hall served Highland Park College, which merged with Des Moines College and Central University of Iowa in 1918.

Originally a meeting spot for the IOOF fraternity, the hall became a landmark building in the commercial district of the college, which according to history website lostcolleges.com , closed in 1929. The campus was on the site of what is now Park Fair Mall.

Since 1930, several makeovers have reduced the size of the building's windows and removed its original lodge hall and offices. The entrance was moved to the corner and layers of paint obscured architectural details, according to the heritage trust.

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Once an "obvious visual anchor" of Euclid/Second Avenue intersection, as described by a National Register of Historic Places Registration form, the building and its historical storefront have since been obscured by an awning.

"We would certainly like to see the brick restored, if possible, and the building returned to its original look," Waddell said.

Once it's complete, it'll be the "centerpiece" of the area, he said.

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 or alathers@registermedia.com, and follow her on X at @addisonlathers.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines to purchase, save endangered Highland Park historic building