Downtown Ames:
A Guiding Vision For The Future

Planning Our Future

The City of Ames and Ames Main Street are collaborating to develop a plan for the future of downtown. The plan will provide a guide for improving the area over the next 15 plus years, understanding that the area will continue to adapt to market changes.

Our Guiding Vision for the Future will be utilized for promoting redevelopment, enhancing the streetscapes and facades, improving connectivity to and within downtown, identifying housing opportunities, increasing economic development, and more!

Open House: February 4, 2025

Join us at the Ames Regional Economic Alliance on Tuesday, February 4 for the Downtown Ames: A Guiding Vision for the Future Open House.

Preview the project helping to cast a vision for the future of Downtown Ames that was created by Bolton & Menk with input from the Community Survey last fall. Ames Main Street board members and staff will be on hand to answer questions.

The open house will be held at 304 Main Street in the Laughlin Level and will include three time slots:

8:00am – 10:00am
12:00pm – 2:00pm
5:00pm – 7:00pm

Stay in the Loop for More Information

Stay tuned to this page for more information in the coming weeks and months and learn how you can get involved, make your voice heard, or donate to the project!
You can also sign up for Downtown Ames emails related to the Guiding Vision.

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Notes From Past Meetings

Click on the buttons below to view past meetings for the Guiding Vision for Downtown Ames.

Guiding Vision Timeline

2022

January:

Ames Main Street charged with “what’s your next big thing?” for Downtown Ames.
Ames Main Street revises mission and vision.

February:

Ames Main Street determines strategic goals to support the mission and vision.

April / May:

Ames Main Street hosts community input sessions to help develop “The Next Big Thing” for Downtown Ames. Narrow project ideas into viable options to include, but not limited to: enhancing gathering spaces, streetscape improvements, downtown living initiatives.

2023

Summer:

“The Next Big Thing” heading changes to “Downtown Ames Master Plan”.

September/October:

Ames Main Street partners with City of Ames on Downtown Ames Master Plan.
Ames Main Street forms a Steering Committee. Prepares Scope of Services and reviews presentations from two design consulting firms.

Steering Committee

Sam Stagg
Nicole Rasmussen
Ellyn Grimm
Jason Jennings
Elizabeth Erbes
Chris Nelson
Chuck Winkleblack
Tim Gartin
Brian Phillips
Kelly Diekmann
Crystal Davis
Dylan Kline

2024

February:

Selection Committee is re-formed to select design consulting firm. Bolton-Menk is selected.

Design Firm Selection Committee:

Sam Stagg
Nicole Rasmussen
Ellyn Grimm
Jason Jennings
Elizabeth Erbes
Heather Johnson
Chris Nelson
Chuck Winkleblack
Brian Phillips
Kelly Diekmann
Travis Toliver
Dylan Kline

Spring:

Formation of a Steering Committee to include community partners.

Summer:

Community input opportunities that include: attending a focus group meeting or completing a Master Plan Community Survey.

City of Ames

We are proud to partner with the City of Ames on this project as we plan ahead for the future of Downtown Ames!

$10,000+ Guiding Vision Investor

$1,000+ Guiding Vision Investor

$500+ Guiding Vision Investor

Project Timeline