Des Moines Sets Hearing on Krause+ Land Sale
The city council will weigh selling former DICO factory land to Krause+ for a soccer stadium and commercial district.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Soccer
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The Des Moines City Council voted without discussion on November 2, 2026 to set a December 7 public hearing on selling a portion of city-owned former DICO factory land to Krause+, the development arm of the Krause Group. The sale is tied to a proposed $95 million soccer stadium and a $550 million surrounding commercial district.
Why it matters
City leaders said reconsidering the deal followed renewed talks that produced a potentially more feasible financial proposal. Krause maintains the stadium financing will not work without the broader commercial development, making the land sale central to the project's viability for Des Moines residents.
The city's 50-year stadium land lease, signed in June 2026, is paired with a proposed $95 million stadium and a $550 million commercial district, while a competing MLS stadium plan is pegged at $65 million. City Manager Scott Sanders says the revised agreement saves taxpayers more than $20 million compared to earlier terms, though a competitive bidding process must still conclude before any sale.
The players
Krause+
The development arm of the Krause Group, the company seeking to buy city land for a soccer stadium and commercial district in Des Moines.
Kyle Krause
CEO of the Krause Group, whose company is pursuing the Des Moines stadium and surrounding development.
Scott Sanders
Des Moines City Manager who said the revised agreement would save taxpayers more than $20 million compared to earlier terms.
Iowa Soccer Development Foundation
The entity that would own and operate the proposed soccer stadium and events plaza in Des Moines.
The details
The council's vote came during a Monday meeting and set the public hearing for the proposed sale of part of the former DICO factory site. The Iowa Soccer Development Foundation would own and operate the stadium and events plaza, and any land sale will face competitive bidding after the hearing.
Timeline
June 2026: The city signed a 50-year lease for stadium land.
August 2026: Negotiations between the city and Krause ended.
November 2, 2026: The council voted to set the public hearing.
December 7, 2026: Public hearing on the proposed land sale to Krause+.
Season Trajectory
The Krause+ proposal shifts the trajectory of Des Moines' bid for a professional soccer franchise, with a competing MLS-linked stadium plan near the Iowa Events Center and Casey's Center setting up a direct contest over where the team would play. The December 7 hearing and subsequent competitive bidding will determine which project advances.
If the sale advances, the proposed stadium and events plaza would be owned and operated by the Iowa Soccer Development Foundation on former DICO land. A competitive bidding process will determine whether Krause+ ultimately acquires the property.
The takeaway
The December 7 hearing and the bidding process that follows will decide whether the Krause+ plan or a competing stadium proposal moves forward for Des Moines.
What happens next
The city holds a public hearing on December 7, 2026 on the proposed sale of former DICO factory land to Krause+, after which a competitive bidding process will follow before any purchase can proceed.
Further reading
Explore more on Soccer coverage across Des Moines.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Des Moines Register.
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