The Ames City Council discussed the final payment for Phase I of the Ridgeport Wind Project, a project designed to set up a wind energy supply source for the city of Ames, on Tuesday.

The first phase is to select a location for wind farm development.

During the second phase, wind energy data will be collected, the location will be assessed and a private contractor will be found to run the wind farm.

At the meeting, multiple residents urged the council to delay demolishing Carr Pool and allow the pool to re-open in upcoming summers.

The council decided Carr Pool will be preserved and will re-open for early summer 2009. It will remain open until the 13th Street Outdoor Aquatic Center opens in summer 2009.

Carr will be shut down and possibly demolished after the opening of the aquatic center.

Nancy Carroll, director of the Ames Parks and Recreation Department, urged the council to look into whether both the pool and bathhouse must be demolished.

Currently no funds have been set aside for the demolition of Carr.

“If there is a public, non-profit or some group that would come forward and say ‘We have the money, we’d like to run it,’ I would consider that,” said City Council Member Jim Popken.

The council also voted to continue investigating alternative plans to the current modifications of the 13th Street and Grand Avenue intersection.

Originally, the council planned to modify the traffic lights in order to meet Iowa Department of Transportation safety requirements. However, property owners near the intersection requested that the City of Ames purchase their entire properties instead of just the sections necessary for new traffic signals. The council is now considering plans to expand the roadway or construct a turnabout.

At the meeting, plans for renovating Campustown Court were approved. The city plans to replace the concrete, add limestone benches and planters and build a shade structure and stage in the park.

Construction is planned for December and should be completed by April 15.