November, 2005
Welcome to the monthly Prairie Trail newsletter! The objective of this newsletter is to keep you informed about Prairie Trail with relevant information and insights.
In this first issue, we’re taking a look at the major milestones with the project to date to provide a background for readers. Going forward, each month will recap current activity and give you a preview of what is expected to happen next.
Prairie Trail is a significant development for Ankeny and for Central Iowa, and our goal is to communicate with our stakeholders and partners on a regular basis.
Iowa State University Property Purchase
The City of Ankeny negotiated the purchase of the Dairy Research Farm from Iowa State University in June of 2005. The 1,031-acre parcel was owned by Iowa State University since 1947 after serving as a munitions plant during World War II. It was the City’s intention to purchase the propertay and sell it to a master developer who would develop the property in a manner that added to the quality of life in Ankeny and central Iowa.
Master Developer Selection Process
The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a master developer of the property in June with proposals due in July. The City Council selected DRA Properties as the master developer of Prairie Trail at its July 18 meeting.
Development Agreement
City staff negotiated a development agreement between the City and DRA Properties as the master developer. The development agreement addresses the obligations of the City and the master developer, the creation of a Civic Trust Fund, the planning process for the development, and environmental issues. The City negotiated a purchase agreement and land sales contract for the transfer of the property to the master developer. The City Council approved the development agreement at its Sept. 2005 meeting.
City Staff Input Session
Members of the City staff met on Aug. 18 for an input session on the Prairie Trail development. Staff provided input on (1) the nature of activities and the features that should be in the development; (2) important things to think about when planning and building the project; (3) stakeholders with important perspectives that should be engaged in the planning process.
Prairie Trail Steering Committee
A steering committee was formed in September to manage the master planning and development processes for Prairie Trail. The steering committee is comprised of staff members of DRA Properties and the City.
Community Communications Subcommittee
The community communications subcommittee presented communication goals for keeping the community informed of the activities of Prairie Trail to the Prairie Trail Steering Committee. The subcommittee identified several channels for communicating with the public such as an email newsletter, the City of Ankeny website, the Ankeny Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter and local cable Channel 7.
Community Visioning Process
The steering committee identified seventeen stakeholder groups that offer perspectives of the development of Prairie Trail. Members of these groups have been invited to participate in input sessions as part of the community visioning process. The meetings are scheduled for October and November. The feedback received in the community visioning process will allow the steering committee to develop a series of guiding principles that can be used by the master planning firm and the steering committee in designing Prairie Trail to meet the needs of the community.
Request for Proposals (RFP’s) for Master Planning Services
On October 10, RFP’s were sent to 230 consulting firms and developers along with a brochure on the Prairie Trail project, a map of the concept, and demographic information on Ankeny and the metro area. The City has received several responses from firms with the intent to submit proposals. The deadline for submitting proposals is November 11.
Next Steps in the Process
The steering committee will review the proposals from consulting firms and conduct interviews with the firms submitting the best proposals. A recommendation on the selection of the consulting firm for master planning services will be presented for City Council approval at the Dec. 5 City Council meeting. A contract will then be negotiated with the selected firm, for City Council approval at the Dec. 19 meeting. The master planning process will begin shortly after the approval of the contract and will be completed in the summer of 2006.
