Ames Plan 2040 Update Meeting Aug. 22

From The City of Ames: The planning team for the City of Ames comprehensive plan will host a public open house and design studio from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, in the City Council Chambers of Ames City Hall, 515 Clark Ave. Participants will be asked to provide input and feedback on the key land use growth scenarios for the future of Ames.

The Ames Plan 2040 team will highlight the early work done on the plan and work with participants to refine the draft concepts. This will be an interactive event where participants will be asked to contribute ideas for improving existing areas of the city.

Ames Plan 2040: Live | Grow | Belong is a multi-step effort that will empower residents to identify community interests and priorities related to Ames’ future and growth for the next 20 years. The plan is also critical for coordination of city investments in features such as parks, open space, streets, and infrastructure. Public involvement is critical to developing a representative plan of both short and long term community interests.

“Planning for the future can be challenging, but having a common vision for the community helps local leadership make decisions when opportunities are presented,” said city planner Eloise Sahlstrom. “The next steps in this process will include launching an online interactive land use map showing scenarios and constraints of growth.”

The new comprehensive plan will replace the city’s current plan adopted in 1997, known as the Land Use Policy Plan (LUPP). The LUPP focused on land use and growth. During this period, the cty has seen an increase of 16,000 people, construction of 2,200 new single-family homes, expansion of CyRide, the addition of new U.S. 30 interchanges and the development of Ada Hayden Park, Furman Aquatic Center, and an expanded Ames Public Library. The new plan will have a comprehensive focus and will include a vision for the City’s next 20 years.