The Ames City Council unanimously approved the home of the new Ames Veterans Memorial Tuesday to be at the corner of 5th Street and Grand Avenue.

Councilman Riad Mahayni said the city owns two to three lots on the corner.

The memorial, which was denied a location in the east parking lot of City Hall on April 22 by the council, is scheduled to open Memorial Day 2004.

The site in the east parking lot would not work, Mayor Ted Tedesco said.

“We just ran into a lot of problems with underground utilities because there is a fountain and a pool [planned for the memorial],” Tedesco said.

Brian Anderson, co-chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee, spoke to the council on behalf of the 6-member committee.

“The proposed project is viable and feasible and would add character to the downtown district,” said Anderson, 57000 245th St.

The project will cost an estimated $135,000. Tedesco presented Anderson with a check on behalf of himself, his wife and his family to help start the fundraising.

Tedesco said members of his family have served in the military, causing him to support the memorial.

“It is important to show respect for those who served our country and protected our peace and liberties,” Tedesco said.

Mahayni expressed his thanks to Anderson and the memorial committee at the council meeting.

“I love [that] it’s being built,” Mahayni said.

“If we don’t want to remember our veterans, then who do we want to remember?”

The design for the memorial is slated to contain a five-point star. In the center of the star will be a reflecting pool that is no more than 10 inches deep.

“The star represents the five branches of the various services,” Mahayni said.

The memorial will also contain a flag, eagle, medal and a wall inscribed with a phrase yet to be determined.

“[The memorial’s] significance is basically to remind us of what we have gone through to protect our liberties and all the sacrifices individuals have made,” Mahayni said.

The council also approved a contract with John Deere Health Plan to make them chief administrators of Ames’ health care plan. Wellmark previously managed the health care system for 12 years.

The resolution to approve a tax incentive for annexation was pulled from the budget.