The Waukee City Council adopted a resolution on May 5th to preserve the name “Alice’s Road” on the roadway that runs from the city’s northern corporate limits south to University Avenue. They also adopted a resolution to name the future roadway that will run from University Avenue south to the new interchange at I-80 and beyond into West Des Moines, “Grand Prairie Parkway.”
“The City Council and I listened to our citizen’s concerns,” said Waukee Mayor Bill Peard. “Those who are passionate about the legacy of Alice Nizzi brought many good points to our attention at the last council meeting. Our goal as a council was to find a common ground with the Nizzi family while balancing what’s best for Waukee’s future.”
The resolution recommends the construction of a $400,000 park between Hickman Road and Douglas Parkway that will be named “Alice Nizzi Park.” The proposed plans include a three-acre park themed to recognize Nizzi’s contributions to Waukee’s history. The timeframe for the proposed park is three to five years.
The resolution also recommends the designation of the “Alice’s Road Historical Area” between Hickman Road and Meredith Drive through signage identifying the roadway and area.
Members of the Nizzi family attended the city council meeting and expressed their happiness with the mayor and council’s plans to honor their family member. Nizzi’s great-niece, Jennifer Speers, addressed the council and told them how much she appreciated their working with her family.
“We had an extremely productive meeting,” said Speers. “We felt genuinely heard. We are happy with the agreement that was made between the city and my family.”
Speers acknowledged that the council struggled with their decision about the road naming.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Speers said.
The new roadway, Grand Prairie Parkway, will run through Kettlestone, a mixed-use development planned in Waukee. West Des Moines is scheduled to consider the same name at their meeting tonight. City leaders believe a common name between Waukee and West Des Moines will create less confusion for travelers, while creating unity between the two cities.