Plans for Ames’ future and an ode to the city were all part of Mayor Ted Tedesco’s annual State of the City address Monday.

The Rotary Club replaced the original lyrics of the beer-themed polka “In Heaven There is No Beer” with lyrics about Ames’ recent developments, such as Panera Bread, Best Buy and the Dayton Street overpass.

Ironically, the song was performed after Tedesco declined to comment on the city’s proposed ban on unlimited-alcohol specials.

Tedesco unveiled his plans for 2003, which involved expanding CyRide service, renovation of the city’s power plant and overhauling the property tax system.

However, the focal point of the mayor’s plan was turning Ames into a leader of biotechnology.

“Next year Ames and the federal government will work together to rebuild the National Animal Disease Center,” Tedesco said. “This is a $450 million dollar project, the largest project ever undertaken by the Department of Agriculture.”

David Maahs, executive director of the economic development commission, agreed with Tedesco’s vision for Ames.

The city wants to turn its sights toward developing biotech companies that will focus on protein development, renewable resources and plant technology, the mayor said. Ames could help biotech start-up companies by investing in land development and applying for state grants through the government, he said.

Tedesco said 2003 is a critical time to encourage as many start-up biotech companies as possible.

This is an unprecedented time for biotech research because “Vilsack recently allotted $50 million for biotech companies,” he said.

Tedesco stressed the importance biotechnology companies will have on the rest of the world.

“The combined efforts of the NADC and plant science companies will be involved in providing safe food supplies for the entire world,” he said.

In addition, the biotech industries will provide professional, high-paying jobs for the community, he said.

Tedesco said free CyRide transportation for ISU students, the opening of the skate park, recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency as a clean water partner and the $3.8 million donation from Hunziker property for the new Ames/ISU Ice Arena were highlights from 2002.

Some of the low points of last year were budget cuts due to shrinking state revenues and the archaic property tax system, Tedesco said.

Tedesco’s other plans for next year included expanding fare-free CyRide for all Ames students, kindergarten through high school.

In addition, Tedesco pushed for the renovation of the electric power plant. He said an international competition that was approved by the Ames City Council last spring sought ideas to turn the power plant at the end of Main Street into an attraction “for which Ames would be known and remembered.”

The purpose of the plan is to convert the plant into a “community asset that would create a sense of arrival for the City of Ames,” Tedesco said.

While confident of new city developments, Tedesco remained cautiously optimistic about the future of Ames.

“[This year] will provide opportunities to move forward, but there are no guarantees,” he said.