Specifically, the council approved a resolution declaring its support for an application to secure up to $18 million in state aid to create what developers have called a pavilion and plaza on the west side of the mall property.

The proposed pavilion and plaza would be behind a car wash, Central Financial Group and Great Western Bank.

The pavilion building would have a handful of spaces for restaurants, coffee shops or brew pubs on its south side. The north half of the building would have more open space and overhead doors. It would be an area where a farmers market could be set up.

The plaza would be an outdoor public space and entertainment area just north of the pavilion. The concept for the area includes pickleball courts, picnic shelters and a raised and partially covered stage.

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This building, dubbed the pavilion, would have space for restaurants, coffee shops or brew pubs on its south side. On the north side, it would have more wide open spaces enclosed by overhead doors. The outdoor entertainment and recreation area called the plaza would be located north of the pavilion.

BJ Stokesbary, a spokesman for the property’s owner, Crossroads Plaza Development LLC of Ankeny, said the proposal offers a chance to do something “transformative” with the site.

The city government is now seeking $18 million from the Iowa Reinvestment District Program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority to make the pavilion and plaza plan possible.

That state program provides hotel.motel tax and sales tax money for projects that improve the quality of life, create and enhance unique opportunities and substantially benefit the community, region and state.

With no discussion, the council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the application for the funding.

The resolution states that the proposed project meets basic requirements of the program and is supported by the city government.

Chad Schaeffer, the city’s chief development officer, said the application is due Thursday.

City officials will learn in May or June if the application has won preliminary approval and will be considered for funding.