Council approves lease with Iowa State for 29‑acre site to relocate Fire Station 2

Ames Fire Chief Higgins presented a proposed lease agreement with Iowa State University and the Board of Regents for 29 acres at 601 State Avenue as the planned site for relocating Ames Fire Station No. 2. Chief Higgins said the site is at the top of the hill between Mortensen and Lincoln Way and that the university agreed the parcel was suitable for the station. The lease would be no cost to the city; the city's obligations include constructing the station, implementing any necessary traffic control on State Avenue and maintaining the property. The term structure is two years for construction followed by a 50‑year operational term with renewal options.

Council asked what would happen at the end of the lease if the parties did not renew. Chief Higgins said the city would be required to remove improvements and return the site to its original agricultural condition at the city's expense if the lease is not renewed. The city indicated a preference for low‑maintenance prairie planting rather than row crops on the remainder of the parcel. The proposed lease was discussed in the context of an ongoing bond referendum and was presented to the Board of Regents for their Nov. 11 meeting; council approved the lease resolution on Oct. 28.

Council approved the resolution by roll call. Staff noted maintenance responsibilities for the full 29 acres and said they would seek low‑maintenance plantings. The council thanked Iowa State for the partnership and emphasized that the relocation would support efficient station siting and preserve partnership benefits.