Ames City Council | July 21, 2026

The Ames City Council held a special meeting on July 21, 2026, focusing primarily on two major topics: the Duff Avenue corridor study and the procurement for the Ames Municipal Energy Center expansion. The Duff Avenue corridor study presented long-term safety and traffic improvement concepts, including a proposed road diet converting a four-lane undivided roadway to a three-lane section to enhance safety and multimodal connectivity. Public feedback was mixed, with concerns about traffic delays and bus stop operations. The council discussed potential future actions, including a detailed railroad crossing study estimated at $40 to $50 million. The second major discussion involved procurement plans for the energy center's expansion, including a $2.3 million transformer purchase and a $73 million contract for three large reciprocating engines. The council was briefed on the bidding process, vendor comparisons, maintenance costs, and financing plans involving a $190 million bond. The council was not asked for immediate approval but was prepared to consider contract awards at the next meeting. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of staff efforts and no formal votes on procurement were taken during this session.