The Ames city council talked about the ISU Research Park, tree removal on city grounds and parking in the Greek community.

The university and the city of Ames are working together to usher in phase three of the Iowa State Research Park.

The city council passed three resolutions concerning the park.

This park will be an economic investment opportunity for the city, said Steve Schainker, city manager. The city will receive income on the park from taxes that will be paid by the university.

First, council approved a development agreement with the ISU Research Park Development Corporation. Next, they approved a RISE grant with the Department of Transportation. Lastly, the city council passed a resolution that established a Urban Renewal Area, and a date is set for a public hearing on Nov. 10.

Iowa State will fund the Research Park with the city providing water and sanitation lines, as well as the streets within the park.

The Iowa State Research Park is unique in nearly every aspect of its conception, Schainker said. The park is moving into phase three and will cost the University a large sum of money in taxes and development.

The Research Park will begin building The Hub. This building will be held in the Park and combine many offices currently spread across campus into one building. Surrounding the building will be commercial businesses meant to support the research workers in The Hub.

The city also passed a resolution to approve the EAB Response Plan. This plan will remove and treat Ash trees on city owned property that have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer.

The plan is a 20-year plan, which will involve taking out Ash trees and replacing them. This will be a gradual process with only a percentage of trees coming out and being replaced each year.

The resolution passed by the city council will begin the removal of trees on city grounds only at this point. The budget on this project is around three million dollars.

Iowa State already has a plan in place to deal with trees affected by the Emerald Ash Borer, said Tim Gartin, ward two representative.

Karen Marren, who is on the planning and housing committee, talked about the issue of parking in the greek community. This concerns 40 greek houses.

The Greek Alumni Association provided information to Marren about the amount of greek residents living in the impacted area.

Currently there are about 2,000 greek members living in houses. Only 1,100 parking spaces exist for the members living in the houses.

It is was suggested to lower the parking ratio of one parking space for every one bed within the greek house to an easier law for greek houses to meet.

This was what was discussed at press time. Find the full story online.