DES MOINES FIRM ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR LAKE RED ROCKDEVEL OPMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT APPLICATION

January 31, 2006 – A Des Moines land management company headed by Mark Bockenstedt and Kevin Conway announced plans today for a residential, recreational and retail development on the east shore of Lake Red Rock that could include the $155-million Environmental Project currently proposed for Coralville.

 The firm, DML Land Management, filed an application late Tuesday with the Iowa Child Institute to become the home of the Environmental Project, which would include a rainforest, the National Center for Science Literacy and other facilities. Photos.

Conway said the development, which is named The Point at Red Rock, will proceed regardless of whether the Pella site is selected as the future home of the Environmental Project.  However, he noted that the project, which is projected to attract more than 1 million visitors per year, “perfectly complements our goals and facilities.”

“Iowans are always saying there’s nothing for families to do in the state. Each of these projects would put those claims to rest, but the addition of the Environmental Project to The Point at Red Rock will guarantee that a first-class destination becomes a world-class destination,” Conway said.  “We couldn’t be more excited about the prospects of having it at The Point.  At the same time, we’re convinced that there is no better location for it anywhere.  This is one of those cases where the sum truly is greater than the parts.”

Bockenstedt indicated that a feasibility study is under way to determine the number of condominiums, the size of an indoor, year-round water park and the appropriate scope of retail and hotel space on the property that is adjacent to the Bos Landen Golf Resort.  Development along Red Rock is non-existent because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls virtually all lakeshore property.

“Wherever there is a body of water in the region you can develop – Lake Panorama, Okoboji, Clear Lake and as far away as the Ozarks – the lakeshore will be fully developed.  This project will succeed because of the simple fact that people want to be around the water and there just aren’t enough places in the Midwest to satisfy that demand,” Bockenstedt said.  “We were fortunate to find a piece of property on Iowa’s largest lake that can – and will – be developed.”

DML Land Management has retained The Concept Works, Inc., of West Des Moines as its public and government relations agency.  For additional information about the Point at Red Rock, contact Eric Woolson at 515-226-0291 or ewoolson@theconceptworks.com.