As 2021 kicks off, the Ames Home Builders Association outlines home building plans


The Ames Home Builders Association has created and published an easy-to-follow outline for the 2021 development plans for Ames, IA. Kelly Diekmann, the Ames Planning and Housing Director since 2013, oversees and directs plans for the entire city, and this visualization provides some great insight as to what Ames can expect this coming year.

Things to Expect

1. Residential Sites
Ames plans to develop nine residential sites with the goal of making them affordable and at the market rate. A majority of these sites are on the outskirts of Ames, in the Northern, Southern, and Western sides of city limits. The developments include:
  • Quarry Estates
  • Hayden’s Crossing
  • Sunset Ridge
  • Scenic Valley
  • Northridge Heights
  • Birch Meadows
  • Domani
  • Bricktown
  • Baker subdivision
Additionally, there are four pending developments for 2021-2022.
Other trends within Residential sites include the completion of new apartments; there were no new project approvals for 2020, due to the lack of enrollment at Iowa State University. Also, the development of traditional single-family homes has moderated.

2. City Zoning Changes
The Ames City Council is supportive of creating additional housing options in Ames. This includes creating new small lot zoning. This is a common development approach nationally, as well as right here in Des Moines, Iowa. These types of zoning developments are considered to be an “attainable” price point, not low income.

3. Commercial Sites
In terms of new commercial development, there are multiple available options in already developed areas. The city does not plan on bringing in any new, large single big-box options as major retail stores struggle nationally.
There are few potential areas subject to infrastructure extensions, which include Downtown and Lincoln Way. These may become a mix of redevelopment and rehabilitation projects.

Reinvestment District
The actual projects taking place in Downtown and Lincoln Way involve two City Projects. The first will be called “Downtown Plaza” and the second the “Indoor Aquatics Center.” The timeline for these projects is 2021-2022.
Upcoming changes for any city are exciting but also come with questions. If you would like further information about city projects and planning, please contact Kelly Diekmann.

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