A public input session held Tuesday to gather ISU student opinions regarding design regulations for the East 13th Street Gateway Overlay District was adjourned after less than 15 minutes — only one student came.

The city is seeking opinions and input from eight community groups to help determine design standards for the newly annexed land, where it’s likely a new mall will be constructed.

Norm Riggs, a field specialist in community development for the ISU Extension, said the attendance may have been poor because the issue is fairly irrelevant for students.

“It may have been a message in terms of student concern, or lack of concern, on this issue,” he said.

William Rock, vice president of Government of the Student Body, had encouraged students to attend the session but said he was not able to attend the session himself due to prior commitments. He said he was disappointed in the turnout for Tuesday’s meeting, but also felt the small turnout was misleading.

“Over the summer, only one-fourth to one-fifth of the students are on campus. Considering the fact that the vast majority of students aren’t here and that the site is so far off campus, [the turnout] is not surprising,” he said.

“Students should show up to these meetings, or more messages will be sent when we don’t show up.”

The solitary attendee, Jo Etzel, graduate student in electrical and computer engineering, said she had followed the issue since it first started and was interested in being on the steering committee that will be formed from the individual focus groups.

“I’m concerned where the shopping will be from an urban planning point of view. It makes no sense to have it out by the interstate,” she said.

The new location would disrupt city transportation, she said.

The public meetings continue through Thursday evening.

Ray Anderson, planner for the city of Ames’ Department of Planning and Housing, said that even though student turnout was disappointing, there is still time for students to come to a meeting for the general public at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Ames City Council Chambers, 515 Clark Ave.