DES MOINES (AP) — Concern has risen about the maintenance of the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens in downtown Des Moines.
Some residents say the gardens, which were opened in 2009, have fallen into disrepair.
The city donated the land, but the property is privately maintained. Des Moines’ park and recreation department director said after the pavilion and the garden were donated to the city by the Chinese Cultural Center of America that Des Moines couldn’t afford the maintenance.
The Principal Foundation and its former CEO David Hurd helped establish a $600,000 endowment to maintain the structure and the gardens, but the funds aren’t enough to cover long-term maintenance.
The Riverfront Development Authority is speaking to community groups and individuals to acquire more money to try and sustain the property.
In the future, council member Skip Moore said he believes city staffers need to be more involved in such public-private partnership projects because visitors and residents alike ultimately blame the city for dropping the ball if projects are not well planned or maintained.
Council member Christine Hensley agrees the city needs a better plan in place, but she wants to make sure businesses and organizations continue to be appreciated and valued for what they contribute.
“We don’t want to signal to the private sector that we don’t want to work with them. There needs to be a balance,” she said.