(Des Moines, IA) -- Plans for a new arena for the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team are moving forward. The Iowa Economic Development Authority has approved $26.5 million in sales tax benefits for a new arena and training, along with improvements at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines.
Liz Holland-Abbell, CEO of Credit Corporation says the next step is to schedule a ground breaking. She says the goal is for the Buc's to play their opener at the new arena in the fall of 2023.
The 35-hundred seat arena is planned at the site of the former Younker's Department store building.
The board also approved the maximum benefit amount of $26.5 million for the Merle Hay Reinvestment District submitted by the Merle Hay Reinvestment District Joint 28E Board formed between the cities of Urbandale and Des Moines. The project repurposes a 74.6-acre lot into a mixed-use sporting, entertainment and shopping district, which will include a 3,500-seat arena, a hotel, mall improvements, a new retail development and public infrastructure renovations. The plan proposes a capital investment of $138.5 million.