Des Moines' New Center Street Bridge

They finally opened up the Center Street Bridge - the centerpiece to downtown Des Moines' Principal Riverwalk. This multi-year project is meant to spruce up the downtown area, and it is indeed making the area look a lot nicer. The bridge is lit at night, and features two walkways with a cross-over in the very middle of the bridge. The center of this cross-over is glass, and lights up at night with different and constantly changing colors! We are big time now! Move aside St. Louis Gateway Arch, here we come! Ok, so I don't think people will come from all over the country to see our humble new arch, but it is at least something new for us. See my photo album of the bridge.

Principal's Website about the Riverwalk

They also recently opened the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens, right next to the bridge. These gardens include a rock garden and a elegant pagoda in the middle of it all. It looks pretty neat sitting right on the river. Check out the link here.

Both of these places are neat new additions to the landscape, but my only criticism is that they really don't offer much to do other than look at them briefly. There isn't really anywhere to sit or spend any time near the bridge or Asian Gardens. What is it that Des Moines needs to do to get on the map so that we aren't driving to Omaha for most of our concerts?

-Andrew