The future 2017-2022 capital improvements plan was highlighted during the Ames City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

Ames Fire Chief Shawn Bayouth addressed the council with several improvements proposed for the capital plan.

The additions include a newly-created women’s bathroom, concrete replacement for both fire station one and three, as well as a $40,000 keyless security system aimed to better secure each station.

The Ames Fire Department is also looking to upgrade and restore several older fire engines. Meant to last over 20 years past the initial purchase, restorations are estimated to cost upward of $125,000 per unit and $1.25 million to replace ladders on older models.

With estimated costs of $32.45 million over the next five years, Ames electric director Donald Kom spoke on future improvements to both programs in the community and the existing Ames power plant.

This includes a new $1.2 million budget for demand-side management programs in which citizens are encouraged to purchase energy efficient machines and invest in solar energy through rebate systems.

Kom hopes to fix existing problems found within older equipment and buildings, including adding new sets of windows for the power plant to reduce air leakage and helping to reduce the downtime between power outages.

A new water treatment plant is set to open its doors later this year as part of the Ames public works capital improvements plan.

“We are looking at late May completion for the new water treatment plant, with a fall dedication ribbon cutting, however, I’m happy to tour anybody that wishes to know where their money is going,” Ames public works director John Joiner said.

Public works is seeking additional grant funding to create one of three alternative concepts to upgrade the current low head dam in the River Valley Park. Having $160,000 already funded, the concepts range in price from $348,000 to $845,000. Joiner hopes the new dam will add recreational opportunities for citizens who wish to kayak in the area.

Campustown water distribution improvements are slated to take place within the next three years. Costing $1.75 million, the project aims to repair aging water mains, storm sewers and sanitary sewers.

The construction will cause much of the sidewalk to be unavailable, leading the Council to see the project as more difficult than it first appears.

“This is going to take advanced discussion, and the businesses and dense population will have to be notified,” city manager Steve Schainker said. ”Though it’s three years out, it will be an immense undertaking.”

CyRide also received four new buses to add to the overall fleet with a new emphasis on restoring used buses purchased from outside sources.

The CyRide building is expected to be modernized within the plan to address parking and drainage issues.

No votes were cast toward approval of the capital improvements plans, and open public input is scheduled to take place during the Council’s Jan. 24 meeting.