The nonprofit agencies that show their love for the community of Ames are in the process of getting a little love back.

Plans are underway to determine a good location for a human services campus, which would house nonprofit organizations that choose to be a part of the project.

“There’s a county human services building, and we are trying to do the same thing for private organizations,” said Bob Kindred, assistant city manager. “It would be a one-stop shop for people in need.”

Although several agencies in the Ames area have their own offices, many are outgrowing their facilities. This project was designed to assist those agencies in helping the community.

“We are hoping that co-locating these groups will let them take advantage of shared conference rooms, reception areas,” said Sheila Lundt, assistant city manager.

“This will help these groups share resources.”

At the City Council meeting on Feb. 12, $30,000 was given to RDG Rudi Lee Dreyer, a planning and design firm, to perform a feasibility study at the council’s preferred location for the campus, 2008 24th St., currently the site of First Evangelical Free Church.

The study will evaluate the location in terms of city code analysis and a site development plan and will provide a final report on the suitability of the location.

“We expect to have that study done in May sometime,” Lundt said.

So far, a number of organizations have shown an interest in being a part of this project.

“There are a number of groups still deciding, but we’ve heard positive things from United Way, Arc of Story County and the Richmond Center and some smaller groups,” Lundt said.

Some agencies, however, are still deciding whether to join the campus. One such group is Red Cross of Story County.

“We are still deciding, although it has more to do with whether or not we can sell our current property,” said Cynthia Allen, interim executive director of Red Cross.

Allen said she has seen this idea in practice before and had a number of positive things to say about it.

“I work with a half-dozen college towns, and Lawrence, Kan., has a very similar model, and it works great,” she said. “There’s shared meeting space for the agencies, and that leads to a reduction in the rent. We’re supportive of the concept and hope we can be a part of it.”

Groups have until March 1 to sign letters of intent to join the project.

However, they are still a good distance from getting to move into a plush new office.

“We would like to have the property purchased in 2009, and we know some remodeling of the building will have to be done. The fundraising will also take some time,” Lundt said. “We expect that the project will be done in late 2009 or early 2010.”