Downtown Plaza

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Steven L. Schainker Plaza

Steven L. Schainker Plaza is intended to be an amenity and attraction to Downtown for a wide range of ages, people, and activities. This community gathering space will include a mix of elements designed to enhance the Downtown experience, such as interactive water features, native landscaped green space, public art, shade structures, open gathering areas, food truck spaces, benches, restrooms, and winter ice skating. With the focus on public art, small gatherings, interactive features, and activities, the plaza will complement Downtown businesses and other public spaces of Bandshell Park and Tom Evans.

Background

The City of Ames presented a concept for a new Downtown Plaza across from City Hall between Fifth and Sixth streets at a public meeting on Jan. 21, 2021. The City also gathered public input over a two-week time period about the proposed features of the plaza.

As part of the public input, a survey was posted online to provide an additional option for citizens to share their thoughts and opinions. This survey was posted from Jan. 22, 2021 through Feb. 19, 2021. The results of the survey questions have been tabulated and posted below. An additional page of citizen's comments have been included as well.

The Jan. 21, 2021, meeting included a Zoom presentation by Confluence, Landscape Architecture & Planning, describing the types of features and amenities planned for the plaza and a detailed conceptual design. The presentation also included instant polling and a question and answer session. You can review this meeting and broadcast at these links:

Downtown Plaza Public Meeting - YouTube
Downtown Plaza Public Meeting - Channel 12

A copy of the presentation including polling results is available under Resources below.