A group of students is taking on Campustown as a part of a class project, with the hope of breathing new life into the area.

Twelve students from the departments of landscape architecture and community and regional planning conducted a meeting Wednesday with city leaders to get input on what the community would like to see for Campustown.

“We have had different students go to each meeting,” said Marco Alvarez, senior in landscape architecture and member of the group. “Its been a really good learning experience for us.”

Including this meeting, the group of students has met with eight different focus groups involving local businesses, residents and students.

The students have also studied eight other universities with similar challenges. The group will present its findings at a community meeting at the end of the semester.

City Council members were present at the meeting, and called for more university involvement in the area.

Councilman Riad Mahayni said he doesn’t know what kind of a role the city should take in Campustown.

The council said the businesses and activities that are located and take place in Campustown are limited to students who are over 21.

“Where does the community fit in?” Mahayni said. “What is there in Campustown to invite the community in?”

Feedback from some community members indicated that Ames residents want to take a more active role in Campustown.

“Campustown is trashy,” said Mary Ann Dilla, a member of the Ames Board of Education. “It’s time for a marriage between the university and Campustown.”

The focus group suggested moving some things out of the Memorial Union, including the University Book Store, and putting them in Campustown.

Mahayni said Campustown should be marketed as being an area of diversity. The group said it would like to support ethnic restaurants and stores with goods from around the world.

“We should give it an identity that this is the most diverse area of the city,” Mahayni said.

Council members also mentioned the design of the area, an area of regulation that is included in a city ordinance that passed a second reading Tuesday night.

“The design should integrate the first floor with the sidewalk,” Mahayni said.

Stomping Grounds, 303 Welch Ave., was mentioned as an example of an establishment that positively affected Campustown.