DiscoverAmes previews event-center proposal, asks city to consider collaborative funding and infrastructure support

Kevin Burke of DiscoverAmes told attendees the group will bring a formal request soon related to the Link development and an event center. "We will be making an ask relatively soon," Burke said, asking the city to view the proposal as a collaboration that might include parking ramps, a pedestrian bridge and utility relocations.

Sam Stagg of Tenfold Architecture and the Ames Main Street Alliance said the Link project aligns with the downtown guiding vision and could support infill housing, downtown access and regional goals. Stagg suggested the proposal could include ordinance changes or revisions to how utilities and infrastructure are planned so the project can proceed.

Why it matters: staff and attendees framed the event center and Link development as transformative for downtown and the broader community, but both presenters signaled the city will be asked to weigh multi-year funding options, potential CIP commitments and regulatory changes.

Next steps: Burke said the formal proposal would arrive soon and asked council and staff to approach the request as a multi-faceted collaboration rather than a single funding ask.