New downtown handicapped parking spaces may be part of renovation project plans for the Ames Main Street district.

A handicapped parking plan currently is under revision by Ames city staff, and it will be presented to the Ames Main Street District Association and the Handicapped Advisory Group within the next two weeks, said Mark Reinig, Ames economic development coordinator.

“We are intending to place three new spots in the big business lot behind Main [Street], three along Fifth [Street] and one in the Kellogg [Avenue] parking lot,” said Scott Logan, city traffic engineer.

The changes in parking are inevitable and will be incorporated into the Main Street project, he said.

“By the Iowa Code, we are required to have 2 percent of total parking spots designated as handicapped,” he said.

The location of the handicapped parking spots will be the topic for discussion in the meeting between the Ames Main Street District Association and the Ames city staff on Tuesday, said Dave Durlam, president of the association.

“The placement of handicapped spaces would have an impact on a business,” he said. “Of course, it is not a negative effect, but it is an issue that needs to be decided.”

As a representative of downtown businesses, Durlam said the area is willing to make any changes needed.

“We want to help make their shopping experience good,” he said.

Durlam said the changes are required by Iowa Code, which prevents the Ames Main Street District Association from having much input in the final decision.

“We don’t have a position really; it’s kind of mandated,” he said.

Logan said the city staff must comply to specific parking space dimensions mandated by Iowa Code.

“The current handicapped parking spots are nine feet wide, but the code requires spots to be 13 feet,” he said.

Ames City Councilwoman Sharon Wirth said the plan proposal was tabled from the Feb. 9 city council meeting.

“We may see the proposal again on either March 9 or 23,” she said. “Everyone is supportive; we just questioned where the spots should be located.”

Wirth said the Ames Main Street District Association will be helpful in reviewing the proposed locations for the parking spots.

“It will be back on the agenda for sure this spring,” she said. “The anticipated starting date for the renovation of Main Street is April 1. The bids are out now.”

The proposal is on hold until the meeting between the association’s central committee and city staff, said Nikki Peterson, program manager of the Ames Chamber of Commerce.