An Urbandale elementary plans to tear down two homes for more play space for students

The neighborhood around an Urbandale elementary school will soon look a bit different as the school seeks to expand its outdoor play area.

Urbandale school board members voted unanimously in June to approve Des Moines-based DeCarlo Demolition's $49,150 quote to tear down two homes on 72nd Street, immediately west of Olmsted Elementary School.

As of the morning of July 12, the sidewalk in front of the two single-family homes at 4011 and 4013 72nd St. was closed.

The school district in January bought the 66-year-old, three-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 4013 from an estate for $248,760, according to Polk County property records. And the district in March bought the three-bedroom, one-bathroom home at 4011 from a homeowner for $252,000.

District spokesperson Dena Claire said the homes will be torn down to make way for more green space and play space for Olmsted students.

Claire said the space won't be open to students until demolition is fully completed and plans for the area are finalized. On whether the new space will be left as grass or may eventually become a bigger or expanded playground, she said the school's principal, leadership team and students will be working to determine what they'd like for the space.

The school district also owns the empty lot at 4005 72nd Street.

Phillip Sitter covers the western suburbs for the Des Moines Register. Phillip can be reached via email at psitter@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @pslifeisabeauty.