Suzanna de Baca

2 weeks ago | businessrecord.com | Michael Crumb |Kathy A. Bolten |Suzanna de Baca

“My inbox is a war zone and my calendar a battlefield,” a CEO recently confessed to me. While we both got a chuckle out of his description, his detailed account of the relentless barrage of emails and meetings and the constant stream of “urgent” requests that had hijacked his days and nights was no laughing matter. This wasn’t an isolated case. I experienced this reality in my own years leading organizations and now, as an executive coach and mentor, I see this story repeated time and again.

2 weeks ago | businessrecord.com | Suzanna de Baca |Michael Crumb

A revised plan to redevelop Merle Hay Mall will allow for greater use and expand the number of visitors to the area than the plan that was originally submitted to the state under its Iowa Reinvestment Act program, said Elizabeth Holland, the CEO of the group that owns the mall. “We’ve massively expanded the universe of potential users for the facility,” Holland said.

2 weeks ago | businessrecord.com | Suzanna de Baca |Michael Crumb

The development of a mixed-use business park in Gilbert is moving forward with two lots being sold and others available for future growth in the town north of Ames. The project comes against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, which is making developers more cautious about pursuing a project, said Luke Jensen, the local real estate developer behind the Gilbert project.

2 weeks ago | businessrecord.com | Suzanna de Baca |Michael Crumb

The Des Moines Plan and Zoning Commission has approved changes to the city’s site plan requirements for construction and renovation projects that officials say disproportionately affect small businesses and property owners. The Plan and Zoning Commission approved the changes at its meeting on April 3. The amendment will go before the City Council for a public hearing on May 5. City staff will ask the council to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance.

2 weeks ago | businessrecord.com | Suzanna de Baca |Kathy A. Bolten

Park Hill Holdings LLC, based in Eden Prairie, Minn., paid Haymarket Investors LLC $1.4 million for property at 4241 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, Polk County real estate records show. The parcel, which is semi-developed, is part of Haymarket Square, located on the northeast corner of Merle Hay Road and Aurora Avenue. The shopping center was acquired in January 2024 by Score Development and Block Real Estate Services, which are redeveloping the site.