About Des Moines Heritage Trust
Who are we?
The Des Moines Heritage Trust is a non-profit organization was created to save historic buildings in the City of Des Moines. Many buildings in the community are currently endangered due to neglect or redevelopment. Many organizations exist to provide housing for low income families, but historic properties are often demolished in the process. There is a need for an organization to rescue these undervalued historic sites.
What we’re up to
The Des Moines Heritage Trust (DMHT) intends to be the vehicle for historic building redevelopment in Des Moines. We plan on establishing a trust fund and leveraging assets through acquired properties. Our current project is a historic depot in the East Village of Des Moines. This project is funded by private events and individual fundraising. Notable funders are Des Moines Historical Society, Historic East Village, the Des Moines Rehabbers Club and more. The depot will become the home for the Des Moines Heritage Center and an adjacent building will become a private events center. The events center will be available for rentals, educational events, and cultural programming. This is the first property used to establish a line of credit for future rehabilitation.
Our future
Historic properties are often in the way of redevelopment and demolished as a result. It is often too late to save historic buildings due to the lack of funds preservationist societies can provide. The Des Moines Heritage Trust would step in to work with developers, the city, and property owners to come up with better solutions. Utilizing the trust fund, leveraged assets, and cost of development, many historic buildings can be saved that would otherwise be demolished.
Our Sponsors
