Design plans for DZ triangle were approved by the Student Affairs Commission.

DZ triangle is a small piece of land located on the intersection of Pearson Avenue and Sunset Avenue. Student groups have tried in the past to turn it into a community area to prevent bonfire activities on the land.

The project now has design plans, cost estimates and a phase schedule.

Matt England, ex-officio student representative for the Ames City Council and senior in aerospace engineering, said there was not enough time or money to complete the entire project in one semester, so it is divided into three phases.

“We really saw this as the only way to do [the project] without delaying the whole thing due to fundraising,” England said.

The first phase includes a central patio and shade trees for an estimated $10,000.

Construction is expected to begin April 30.

The second phase, which includes pedestrian seating and decorative trees, is scheduled for the fall semester. However, if there is enough money raised in the next month, the first two phases could be combined.

The third phrase, projected to be completed in one year, will include a central brick patio and signage for the land. The name has not been decided on.

The bricks can be bought by ISU alumni, greek chapters and pledge classes. A brick bought will have the donor’s name engraved on it. The money will go to fund the project.

England said they wanted to start the project this semester “because some of us are graduating and moving on.”

The Student Affairs Commission unanimously approved the plans.

An update on the new city website was also discussed at the meeting. England said the new website is up and running but is not complete yet. He said the process is slower than anticipated.

There is a student page on the website that will provide students with information about bike registration and parking tickets.

The Government of the Student Body suggested putting a calendar in the website with student-related events.

Steve Schainker, city manager for Ames, said that the website could possibly link the student calendar from the university website.

Students will be able to sign up for notices they want to receive from the city, such as snow ordinances.

The Student Affair Commission was also informed of the online visioning survey that will be online from March 15 to 31.

The survey is part of the project set up by Brand Endeavor, a branding company from Marina del Rey, Calif. The city hired the company to research Ames and its residents in order to determine what the city vision should be.

The survey can be taken at www.cityofames.org. Schainker said it should take around 10 minutes to fill out the survey.

The next Student Affairs Commission meeting will be at 5:00 p.m. April 7.