Findings from the week-long Ames downtown charrette project were met with mixed reactions from City of Ames employees and community members Friday, including reaction to the creation of a town square downtown.

Some community members said the process did not involve enough student input, while others doubted the validity of the results.

“Why would we spend the time and money on a town square when we originally wanted to revitalize the downtown area?” said Ames resident Betty Licht during the conference.

“[CharretteCenter Town Design] has not addressed the downtown issues at all. The public’s concerns were not completely listened to, they just picked out the things that fit with their plan.”

She said the loss of so many parking spots around City Hall would decrease public access to downtown.

Another criticism of the charrette’s findings was it didn’t appropriately cater to students.

“Given the limited participation of students, it’s not surprising that the projects suggested will have little to no appeal to students,” said Tony Borich, ex-officio City Council student liaison and senior in community and regional planning.

“The consultants also suggested that the project be marketed to the non-student population.”

Though the charrette project’s recommendations were narrowly focused, its objective to involve the community was a commendable one, Borich said.

“I question whether or not the city needed to spend $37,000 to achieve the end result, but I think it should serve as a model for future City Council decisions,” Borich said.

Approximately 90 interviews were conducted to gain feedback from community members, students and area business owners, said Peter Musty, spokesman for CharretteCenter Town Design, the Minneapolis firm hired to manage the charrette.

“Feedback from the community is what a charrette is all about,” Musty said. “You can’t blame citizens for being frustrated if the first time they hear about a new city project is at a City Council meeting.”

Musty said this feedback indicated that Ames community members want the downtown area to become stronger.

Approximately 50 people helped develop a catalyst project, the creation of a town square right in front of City Hall, on Wednesday, Musty said.

Musty said a town square would “get the ball rolling” in revitalizing downtown.

The proposed renovation of city property into a new civic plaza is aimed at setting an example for area businesses to follow, as well as “setting the benchmark” for the market value of downtown properties for developers, said Rick Schaupp, CharretteCenter consultant.

The proposed town square project involves replacing the current parking lot in front of City Hall with an ice rink-sized green space and eight residential units, Schaupp said.

Because the city does not own the properties comprising Ames’ business district, it cannot directly influence business owners to renovate their storefronts.

To successfully revitalize the downtown area, the city must “start in its own back yard” and set the tone for the comprehensive process by example, Musty said.

Some businesses are very optimistic about the possibility for renovation downtown, although some have ideas for more than a town square.

“The way to improve downtown is to get more people living there,” said Dale Edwards, Ames community member and employee of Big Table Books.

“The more people you get living downtown, the more alive it will become at night and the more vibrant it will become.”

Edwards said the charrette did a very good job of listening to community members and downtown business owners.

He said implementing the suggestions would result in a better downtown business district.