The Ames City Council on Aug. 12 directed staff and the architect to design the planned Fire Station No. 2 to be net‑zero ready — that is, built to accommodate geothermal and advanced HVAC systems and sized so solar could be added later to achieve net‑zero energy — rather than building to standard code only. Staff showed three costing scenarios (basic, net‑zero capable, and net‑zero ready plus solar) and recommended that the council choose a future‑proofed design; the council voted in favor by a narrow voice vote (one explicit no).

Staff presentation and options

City staff and BRW architects reviewed three options: a non‑net‑zero baseline facility built to code with modern HVAC and room‑level controls; a “net‑zero capable” building that includes extra square footage and mechanical design allowances to accept future ground‑source (geothermal) systems; and “net‑zero ready” that adds additional mechanical infrastructure and space so the station could later be completed as net zero with the addition of solar. Staff noted that most of the incremental cost is driven by additional building square footage and the specialized mechanical systems needed for a net‑zero outcome.

High‑level cost figures presented (preliminary)

- Non‑net‑zero baseline: roughly $8.0 million (construction only noted as high‑level estimate).
- Net‑zero capable (adds building space for future systems): roughly $8.5 million (construction only).
- Net‑zero ready (infrastructure in place, excluding solar panels): roughly $9.0 million (construction only).
- Solar (to reach net zero once ready spaces and systems installed): roughly $720,000 additional, subject to grants and incentives.

Staff cautioned these are early, high‑level estimates and do not yet include architecture/engineering fees, construction management, testing or contingencies; those items will be added as the project moves through design. Staff also noted that geothermal drilling, equipment life cycles and potential future replacement costs should be weighed.

Council discussion and vote

Council members asked for carbon‑for‑dollar comparisons and noted that geothermal and solar paybacks typically take a decade or more but that municipal projects are long‑lived assets that could justify up‑front investment. One council member argued choosing non‑net‑zero ready could undermine the city’s Climate Action Plan credibility; another said council needed better ROI numbers. Several council members argued the city should lead by example. After discussion, the council voted to direct staff to design the station as net‑zero ready and return with more detailed schematic plans and cost estimates; one councilor voted against the motion.

Implementation steps

Staff will ask BRW to produce schematic designs and elevation options that show the station footprint and architecture, including non‑metal building materials and higher aesthetic standards. Staff will perform baseline utility and carbon calculations and follow up with refined cost estimates that include architecture, engineering fees, construction management and potential grant offsets. They will also schedule the net‑zero related test wells and geotechnical work needed to evaluate geothermal viability.

Why it matters

The decision commits the station’s schematic design to a standard that enables future net‑zero energy performance and aligns municipal construction with the city’s Climate Action Plan. It increases short‑term construction cost estimates but reduces long‑term uncertainty about retrofitting or accommodating future carbon‑reduction technologies.

Provenance: Fire Station 2 design and net‑zero discussion took place at the Aug. 12 meeting (transcript roughly 10980–12150).