One of Iowa’s Fastest-Growing Cities to Welcome $132M Shopping Center

When the population of your city increases by nearly 70 percent in just over a decade, an explosion of retail growth is sure to follow. That's exactly what's happening here.

Back in 2010, the population of Waukee, on the west end of the Des Moines metropolitan area, was 13,790. This summer, it was estimated to be 26,495. City leaders believe it could reach 40,000 by the end of this decade.

In the summer of 2020, a 145,000-square-foot Fleet Farm opened in Waukee, and now comes word of a sprawling new development that will be known as Waukee Towne Center. This is what the developer, Pierson Companies, says it will look like.

Described by Pierson Companies as a destination for the whole family, it will cover 62 acres. A Target, the first in Waukee, will be the anchor of the site. Slightly larger than the Fleet Farm store in Waukee, the Target will encompass 148,000 square feet, which is nearly 3.5 acres.

The development will also include an amphitheater, next to an 8-acre lake. The lake will have a fountain, which is shown below, behind the amphitheater stage.

Pierson Companies says there will be a variety of businesses at the site along with top-quality restaurants on the lake. The lake will have bike path surrounding it that will connect to the region's trail system. In addition, there will be a summer game area (foreground of the photo below).

A playground will be near the game area. You can see its placement in the photo above, with a better view of the playground itself below.

Waukee Towne Center looks like a beautiful place.

The development will be located just to the southwest of the intersection of Alice's Road and Hickman Road in Waukee. Construction on the Target, some additional buildings, and the lake is expected to begin in the spring of 2023. No tentative opening timeframe for the Target store has been announced.