Permit sought for ICE facility in Des Moines

April 29, 2011

A second property owner has applied to get a special permit to allow a federal immigration enforcement center to open just south of downtown Des Moines.

William Nielsen of Capstone Ventures LLC has applied to get permission to house an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office at 315 S.W. 14th St., city records show.

The site is within the Riverpoint district, an area the city has eyed for commercial, retail and residential redevelopment.

Capstone's request is the second the city has fielded as ICE looks for a new facility to process and temporarily detain alleged illegal immigrants.

A proposal to locate the facility at another possible site - 756 Ninth St. in the downtown business district - appears to have stalled. That proposal has drawn opposition from Mayor Frank Cownie and two of downtown's largest employers, primarily over concerns about its proximity to a residential area and child care facilities. City staff had recommended the request for a special permit be denied.

ICE wants to find a new location in Des Moines or one of 11 other metro communities by late October. The law enforcement agency is currently located in the Neal Smith Federal Building, but it appears to have outgrown its space.

In November, a plan to open an ICE facility in an Urbandale warehouse was rejected by that city's Planning and Zoning Commission. Before striking deals with any other property owners, federal officials want to make sure potential facilities are in areas zoned to house a government law enforcement agency.

That is what has prompted property owners to seek permission from the city because, generally, Des Moines zoning does not allow law enforcement operations without a special permit.

The application from William Nielsen of Capstone Ventures LLC is set to go before the Des Moines Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 25. The property is just under 4 acres with office and warehouse space, according to the Polk County Assessor.

The meeting agenda is expected to be finalized by May 6, said Bert Drost, a senior city planner. City staff recommendations will be finalized on May 20, he said.

Other possible sites for facility

Other than Des Moines, ICE will also consider sites in Altoona, Ankeny, Berwick, Carlisle, Clive, Granger, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill and West Des Moines.

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