Grand Ave Improvements, Fringe Plan, The Linc
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Usually some of the agenda items will have a period where members of the public may briefly speak to Council.
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The Ames City Council meets on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda includes the following (and much more). Note that you can generally click on individual agenda items below to get the full staff report or other explanation.
- 19. Discussion on Naming the Downtown Plaza.
The Mayor has a proposition for the naming of the future Downtown plaza that he will present at our meeting on Tuesday. - 20. Motion directing staff on how to proceed regarding The Linc Development Project
After last meeting's presentation, Council is being asked how to proceed with regard to the Linc project at Lincoln Way between Clark and Kellogg Avenues. (The presentation was given two weeks ago to allow time for public input before Council gave direction.) This is a large development both in terms of area, but also financially. The developers are asking for $42 million over the course of 20 years, after which time the property tax generated by this property would return to the taxing entities. Additionally, you may recall that this project has the potential to fund $10 million toward the indoor aquatic center through a State sales tax rebate program. Phase 1 of the project would include a hotel, restaurant, a mixed-use commercial/residential building, and a plaza. The second phase would include two additional buildings containing apartments and offices. During phase 2, it is the goal that the City would construct a parking ramp over north of the railroad tracks that would be connected via pedestrian bridge to the development. (That part isn't for sure, there are many future approvals that would need to happen, and Council today can't commit Councils of the future to all the needed approvals.) In addition to the timing and financing of this project, Council will give direction on a few extra issues that we asked be addressed, housing affordability and sustainability.
- 21. Staff Report on Urban Fringe Plan.
The Urban Fringe Plan and corresponding 28E agreement with Gilbert and Story County is due to expire in November, so the City has been in talks with Gilbert and Story County about a renewal. Council is being asked to consider the changes proposed by the two other entities. Alternatively, the 28E agreement could expire and not be renewed, in which case the City maintains its subdivision and annexation authority within the two miles surrounding Ames. - 23. Presentation of Findings of Grand Avenue Intersections Improvement Study.
There is a lot in this report, as it deals with 5 intersections along Grand, including some pretty significant ones (13th and Grand, for example). Some examples of suggested improvements include pursuing a left-turn arrow at 13th and Grand, and a shared use path is recommended along the west side of Grand north from 6th Street.
- 24. Staff Report on Stange Road Pedestrian Improvements.
Over the years, Council has received a lot of feedback about this area not being pedestrian friendly. Staff are proposing the addition of two four-way stop signs, as well as a change in parking (from parallel to back-in angled parking) and an area for buses to pull in for passenger pickup/drop off.
Communications to Council: The following items are requests and communications to Council that aren't published on the agenda, so we won't deliberate them substantially. This includes staff reports and communications or requests from constituents and developers. Typically, Council will ask city staff for more information, put the item on a future agenda for deliberation and possible action, or just accept the communication, taking no further action.
- City Attorney memo about MCC.
- LWV request Climate Action Office.
- Pending severing agreement between Green Hills pool and Ames Park and Rec.
- Mediacom price adjustment.
- Voting memo.
- Public comment on draft Ames Urban Fringe Plan combined.
Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen
Ames City Council, At Large