Ames City Council Unveils Ambitious $458M Capital Improvements Plan
Ames, Iowa – The Ames City Council has set the stage for a transformative overhaul of the city with the unveiling of a comprehensive five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) totaling a staggering $458.36 million. This ambitious plan covers a wide range of areas including public safety, utilities, transportation, culture, recreation, community development, and general government.
Priorities Revealed by City Manager Steve Schainker
City Manager Steve Schainker has identified four key projects that will take center stage in future CIPs. These projects have been carefully selected to address critical needs and propel the city towards a brighter future. Schainker emphasized that the council is not seeking immediate action but will welcome public feedback at the upcoming council meeting.
One of the top priorities is the relocation of fire station number two to Iowa State University property west of State Avenue. This move aims to enhance response times and alleviate congestion in the Campustown area. Additionally, plans are underway for the construction of a fourth fire station to further bolster emergency services.
Focus on Public Safety and Utilities
A substantial portion of the CIP, totaling $6.7 million, has been earmarked for public safety initiatives. This includes critical investments in Ames Fire Department infrastructure such as replacing or refurbishing fire engines, upgrading the station alerting system, and enhancing equipment for firefighters’ safety.
The Utilities sector is not left behind, with a significant focus on enhancing reliability, affordability, and sustainability. More than $280 million of the CIP funds are allocated towards electric, water, sewer, stormwater, and resource recovery projects. The ambitious plan includes a shift towards renewable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and bolster sustainability efforts.
Transforming Transportation, Culture, and Recreation
As part of the CIP, the city of Ames has allocated a substantial $156.68 million towards transportation improvements. These projects aim to address resident priorities, with a significant focus on enhancing the CyRide system and upgrading street and traffic infrastructure to improve safety and efficiency.
The Culture and Recreation sector will see a boost with $10.9 million dedicated to enhancing quality-of-life amenities in Ames. This includes the development of the Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center, upgrades to parks, trails, and community facilities, and improvements to ADA accessibility across the park system.
Community Development and General Government
In a bid to support revitalization efforts, the city council has set aside $875,000 for programs such as the Downtown Façade Program, Campustown Façade Program, and Neighborhood Improvement Program. Additionally, $375,000 has been allocated for essential updates to City Hall and Veterans Memorial infrastructure to ensure the smooth functioning of these vital facilities.
The Ames City Council’s Capital Improvements Plan represents a bold vision for the future of the city, with a strong emphasis on enhancing public safety, utilities, transportation, culture, recreation, community development, and general government. As the budgeting process unfolds, the council looks forward to engaging with the public and stakeholders to shape the future of Ames.
