The recently re-formed Campustown Action Association is preparing for projects that could add aesthetic value to the neighborhood or even change the price and length of metered parking.

In a meeting on Wednesday at Battle’s Bar-B-Q, 218 Welch Ave., about 20 members gathered to discuss upcoming projects. First on the agenda was the design of new banners to hang on light posts in the district.

A group of graphic design students presented seven preliminary designs for the banners, some bearing phrases like, “My Town, your town, our town, Campustown,” or “Live it like you love it.”

“I think the feel is that this is a community for everyone,” said Chandra Peterson, junior in political science and president of the Campustown Student Association.

Members provided feedback on the designs, which will be modified and then discussed.

“We’ll end up voting on which one of them we want to put up,” Peterson said.

The group has not yet secured funding for production of the approximately 40 flags, but Peterson said they would probably try to partner with the city of Ames and the Government of the Student Body.

The association also discussed the idea of simplifying parking rules in Campustown and extending the maximum time allowed at parking meters.

“To me, there ought to be one consistent time for the entire area,” said Tim Gleason, consultant with Champlin Property Management.

Parking limits currently vary from one hour, on Lincoln Way, and a half-hour to two hours on various parts of Welch Avenue; to four hours for meters on Hayward Avenue and Chamberlain Street and the in-the-city lot between Welch and Hayward avenues.

Gleason said the situation is confusing and that Campustown visitors often don’t have enough time on the meter to finish their business without being ticketed.

“At Angie’s Kitchen, you go in for a nice $4 breakfast and it costs you $9,” Gleason said.

Gleason said his understanding is that meter times were purposely set short years ago to keep students from parking in Campustown and going to class.

Matthew Goodman, Ames City Councilman and owner of Battle’s Bar-B-Q, Fighting Burrito and Smiles & Gyros, said parking rules will probably be discussed in perpetuity.

“Every strange parking rule in the community is a result of somebody close to that area, at one time or another, complaining,” Goodman said.

Lynn Lloyd, property manager with Champlin Property Management, said she’s seen support for proposed changes in several informal discussions with tenants and other business and property owners along Lincoln Way. A formal survey of business owners will be undertaken in the coming weeks to determine the association’s next steps.

Association members also received a status update on the mural being planned for the north side of the T-Galaxy building, 206 Welch Ave.

“We’re currently talking about having kind of a submission project, and then we just bring everyone together to paint it,” said Ian Ringgenberg, graduate student in educational leadership and policy studies and member of the Campustown Student Association. “We’re probably looking at judging designs in February.”

In addition, the Campustown Action Association passed a resolution in support of the Campustown Student Association’s proposal that the university repurpose the Varsity Theater, 2412 Lincoln Way, into a student cinema.