Ames Mayor, City Council And Ag Secretary Celebrate Welch Avenue Ribbon-Cutting On May 27

Press release from the City of Ames:

May 12, 2021

The public is invited to join Mayor John Haila and the Ames City Council, along with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the redesigned Welch Avenue at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 27. Attendees should gather at Fire Station No. 2 at 132 Welch Ave.

The Welch Avenue reconstruction project replaced original infrastructure that was more than a century old along with adding new street pavement and water quality improvements. Special features of the new Welch Avenue include bike lanes in both travel directions, permeable pavers, extended sidewalks, and tree trenches for improved stormwater management. Because of the incorporation of these stormwater quality improvements, the City was awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000 by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) through the Water Quality Initiative Urban Conservation Demonstration Project Program.

Prior to beginning construction, an extensive public outreach campaign was launched to gather feedback on street redesign features. Alternative configurations were presented at open houses, through an online survey, through the #What the Welch? social media campaign, and at several “pop up” events to receive public input.

“Because of Welch Avenue’s location and importance, community engagement was at the core of this project,” said Municipal Engineer Tracy Peterson. “The City worked closely with local partners including Campustown Action Association, Iowa State University, ISU Student Government, the Ames Chamber of Commerce, South Campus Area Neighborhood, Ames Bicycle Coalition, and others to get feedback, share project goals and provide updates.”

The stormwater management features will help to filter run-off from Welch Avenue that flows directly north into Lake LaVerne and College Creek.

Participants attending the ribbon-cutting event should wear a mask and maintain a distance of at least six feet from others. Those unable to attend may experience the event live through City of Ames Facebook (@CityOfAmes) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/AmesChannel12)

This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author’s own.