Election results: Urbandale voters strike down a $43 million community recreation complex

Urbandale residents Tuesday decidedly voted against the city constructing a community recreation complex with proposed pickleball and basketball courts, a walking track and a playground.

In other special elections Tuesday, Granger voters approved funding a new public safety and city hall building, while voters in the Madrid Community School District shot down a tax levy renewal.

Urbandale mayor vows to find other rec opportunities

Unofficial results from the Polk and Dallas counties auditor's offices show 83% of Urbandale voters said "no" to the city taking out a $43 million bond that would fund the design and construction of Urbandale Community Recreation Complex, also called the U-Plex.

The bond referendum needed 60% voter approval to pass. A total of 5,539 votes were tallied in Polk County; 1,813 were counted in Dallas County.

Urbandale officials say the U-Plex, which would have been built at the southeast corner of Meredith Drive and 152nd Street in Walnut Creek Regional Park, had been in city plans for more than 16 years. Following the results, Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg said in a statement it was "crucial" to hear residents' opinions on the U-Plex.

"Despite a great turnout, the required 60% approval threshold was not reached," Andeweg said. "I am grateful to the voters of our community for making their voices heard on this important issue. Regardless of the outcome, I deeply respect their decision and the democratic process that we all hold dear."

In December, the City Council approved the conceptual design plans for the project, which would have sat on 11.5 acres and include a 65,000-square-foot facility.

Inside, city officials proposed a walking track, a gymnasium (with space for nine pickleball courts or three basketball courts), an indoor playground and community rental space. Outdoor features would have included lighted pickleball courts, a splash pad, a playground and shaded gathering spaces.

Because of costs, no pool was planned.

If the measure had passed, an Urbandale homeowner with an assessed home value of $200,000 would have paid an additional $119 per year on their property taxes to fund the project.

“The City is committed to continuing to work towards providing recreational opportunities for its residents and will explore other options moving forward," Andeweg said.

Granger approves public safety, city hall building

In Granger, residents eagerly approved a $3 million loan to construct the Granger Public Safety Building & City Hall.

Unofficial results from the Polk and Dallas county auditors' offices showed 84% of voters said "yes" to the bond referendum that will allow the city to enter into a loan agreement not to exceed $3 million to design and build the facility.

The bond referendum needed 60% voter approval to pass. A total of 58 votes were counted in Polk County; 157 in Dallas County.

The proposed 11,856 square-foot facility, planned at Broadway and Oak streets, would accommodate the city's police, fire and EMS departments' need for "current and future growth," according to the city of Granger. It would also provide city hall with needed office and storage space.

With the residents' vote, the Granger City Council will open the project for bidding.

Madrid voters say no to levy renewal

Voters on Tuesday shot down a request to renew the Madrid Community School District's physical plant and equipment levy.

Unofficial election results from Boone, Dallas and Polk counties show 54% voted against the levy. The mostly rural district serves 666 students across the three counties.

The measure required a simple majority to pass.

PPEL funds can be used for can be used for items like purchasing and improving grounds, constructing school houses or buildings, purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students, lease purchase option agreements for equipment or purchasing some equipment defined by law.

Madrid had planned to use it for laptops and classroom display boards, fine arts and activity equipment, school transportation vehicles, kitchen equipment, copiers and phone system equipment.

Ames Tribune reporter Teresa Kay Albertson contributed to this story.

Virginia Barreda is the Des Moines city government reporter for the Register. She can be reached at vbarreda@dmreg.com. Follow her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Urbandale voters say no to $43 million community recreation complex