Des Moines University today announced that it has signed a letter of intent to purchase property in West Des Moines as part of its effort to move the campus and accommodate necessary growth and innovation.
The 90-acre parcel sits on the north side of West Grand Avenue, located between South Jordan Creek Parkway and South 88th Street. It is bounded on the north by Booneville Road. The land is being sold by W & G McKinney Farms, LC.
“As we enter a campus master planning process, DMU is resetting its vision to remain a national, premier medicine and health sciences university serving the community and the world,” said Angela L. Walker Franklin, Ph.D., President and CEO. “During this exploration, we will advance the future of health care education and clinical services that will meet the needs of the region.”
DMU has occupied its current location at 3200 Grand Avenue since moving from Sixth Avenue in 1972. “The DMU Board of Trustees unanimously endorses President Franklin’s leadership with the campus relocation and master planning process,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Michael C. Witte, D.O.’77. “We are setting the stage for strategic growth of the University, and embracing the powerful, evolutionary trends in education and health care delivery. The current site on Grand Avenue simply cannot accommodate the plans we have for expansion of our curriculum, facilities, and clinical services.”
In a noon-hour meeting with DMU employees and students, President Franklin said updates about the campus move and planning process would be shared with the campus as they evolve.
