Ames Council approves purchase of 2715 Dayton Ave. for new animal shelter; $3 million private gift pledged

The Ames City Council approved the city’s purchase of 2715 Dayton Avenue for $1,100,000 at its Feb. 18 special meeting, clearing the way for a proposed animal shelter and control facility that consultants say can be implemented by renovating the site’s existing building and adding a purpose‑built kennel wing.

The motion, moved by Councilmember Betcher and seconded by Councilmember Correary, carried on a roll call vote (ayes recorded for Venture, Edie Hansen, Rollins, Gloria, Thornton and John). The vote authorized staff to proceed with the purchase; the council also discussed anticipated fundraising, design and construction phases.

Chief (police) introduced the item and said the council’s approval would allow staff to pursue the facility purchase and next design steps. Brett Van Zee of Envision Architecture told council members his team’s six‑week evaluation found the roughly 10,800‑square‑foot building and site utilities in good condition and suitable for conversion to a shelter footprint, but noted the interior requires substantial rework.

Scott Learned, an animal‑shelter…