Mondamin Presidential Association

Central Iowa Neighborhoods 2007 - Article

Mondamin Presidential Neighborhood

Located minutes from downtown Des Moines in the north central part of the city, Mondamin Presidential is a friendly and culturally diverse neighborhood containing affordable, mostly single family, owner-occupied homes, some of which are approaching 100 years old. It is a mainly residential neighborhood with a smattering of small businesses.

Mondamin Presidential’s businesses include a motorcycle shop, a vehicle repair garage, a Shop N Save supermarket, a beauty salon and several home-based businesses, including carpenters, an insurance office and day-care services. There are also two churches.

New houses are being built in the neighborhood, and many older houses are being remodeled, rehabilitated or restored into attractive, affordable homes. The neighborhood is home to a house designed Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the premier architects of the 20th century. A professional history has been written of the area, and several structures have been nominated for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Mondamin Presidential Association is actively involved in the life and work of the neighborhood. In recent years, the board has doubled in size, the membership has increased, and six grants have been applied for and received for various projects and events, including a cooking class for young people. Mondamin Presidential has an active community watch program. Also, it has a community vegetable garden, and growers participate in the Kitchen Garden program of Practical Farmers of Iowa.

The neighborhood association recently won a national award from Neighborhoods USA for its Family Fun Night at eh John R. Grubb YMCA.