Future projects in Campustown were discussed at the Ames City Council meeting May 27.

A discussion about the installation of security cameras in Campustown, which began in 2011, was brought to the council again.

Eight percent of serious crime in Ames occurs in this area. Uses of the cameras would be used for crime deterrent and investigation. The installation of cameras would lessen the Ames Police Department’s reliance on private citizens and businesses for video of crimes.

“We continue to see cameras as one tool to address some of the problems we’ve seen in Campustown,” said Ames Police Chief Charles Cychosz.

The motion was carried to revisit and continue the discussion.

City staff will be changing the vending and sidewalk cafe section of the Ames Municipal Code and requested city council input on the issue.  

Constrictive sidewalk widths brought up the discussion. Planters, trees, meters and light poles limit outdoor dining space in Campustown and Main Street.

Melissa Mundt, assistant city manager, said that sidewalk cafes and parklets provide outdoor spaces that allow interaction and create an ambiance in which people can talk about their day and greet passersby.

Parklets are removable extensions of sidewalk dining in spaces previously used for parking. They allow dining, seating and social gathering with a barrier to protect from traffic. A parklet has been placed in Campustown outside of the fire station on the corner of Welch Avenue and Chamberlain Street.

“The parklet is where we have to head due to the width of our streets,” Mundt said. Parklets have a community-building ability, she said.

Mundt asked for feedback on the separation between traffic and sidewalk cafes, such as the outdoor component of Cafe Beaudelaire. This will be considered in the code update.

A parklet poses a tradeoff of parking for seating. City staff also asked for recommendations concerning conflicts with food vendors, sale of alcohol and bicycle movement around these facilities.

Kim Hanna, director of the Campustown Action Association, said that they hope to make Campustown appealing to all ages, and outdoor seating adds to the energy and excitement of the district.

Charlie Yokes resubmitted a request for outdoor alcohol service. Its rear patio has been renovated to meet police requirements. There were previous concerns that underage people could jump over the back fence that borders a parking lot.

“When we talk about the risk, is it more alcohol getting out or underagers getting in?” City Councilman Matt Goodman asked.

Ames Police supports outdoor service at Charlie Yokes. The motion was carried to approve the request of outdoor alcohol service.

Many accidents that occur in Campustown are a result of people opening car doors without seeing an oncoming biker, resulting in a collision.

Councilman Tim Gartin said that his son lives in the Towers south of Welch Avenue and sees car doors as a dangerous issue.

City Council established a task force to discuss ways to reduce these collisions. On April 22, it heard 11 project recommendations and tabled the discussion.

The council decided to have staff begin planning signage, education for students and the public about roadway safety and responsibility, a change to the parking fees, coordination of bike parking and working with Iowa State to streamline bicycle routes and promote safety in Campustown.