Two main goals of the current Ames City Council is to encourage the development of the downtown and Campustown areas. Tonight, a workshop will be held to address the downtown area.

A similar workshop will be held one month from now to encourage Campustown investment.

The June 19 meeting, which will start at 6 p.m. at City Hall, will include the passage of an ordinance to help those impacted by mailing issues from the East annexation and a workshop discussion over the future of downtown Ames.

According to the City of Ames website, the workshop is being held to encourage investment in the downtown area with two tasks.

“Task 1 – Hold a workshop in the second quarter of 2018 with the Main Street Cultural District, downtown property owners, business owners, downtown residents, and other stakeholders to discuss their vision for the Downtown.

“Task 2 – Following the workshop, review and give direction regarding the November 2017 staff report, which addresses possible locations for a public plaza, storm water management requirements, residential parking standards, and possible incentives to entice investment.”

The other item on City Council’s agenda is the second passage of an ordinance to change street names in the East Annexation Area.

Residents are having issues receiving mail following a decision to annex an area of east Ames formerly under Nevada zip codes. As the city did not assign street names to this area that was annexed, there is no way for residents to receive mail.

According to the City of Ames website, “having addresses that are within the CIty’s addressing grid will also assist emergency personnel to respond to the correct property.”

It was requested that City Council pass this ordinance on second, rather than third reading due to the timeliness of the issue.