HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - Council Action form dated February 13, 2007 s
ITEM #
Date 2-13-07
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: REQUEST FROM IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY TO CHANGE THE NAME
OF ELWOOD DRIVE TO UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
BACKGROUND:
On December 19, 2006 the City Council referred to staff a letter from Warren Madden,
ISU Vice President for Business and Finance, requesting to change the name of Elwood
Drive to University Boulevard. The ISU staff has prepared a South Campus Gateway
Plan to enhance the image on this primary entryway to the University. Along with the
extensive physical improvements to this entryway, ISU officials believe an integral part
of this plan is to change the name of Elwood Drive to University Boulevard from Stange
Road to the southern city limits.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . Approve the request from ISU to change the name of Elwood Drive to University
Boulevard from Stange Road to the southern city limits and direct the City Attorney
to prepare the necessary street name ordinance for consideration at the next
Council meeting.
2. Deny the request from ISU to change the name of Elwood Drive to University
Boulevard from Stange Road to the southern city limits.
3. Deny the request from ISU to change the name of Elwood Drive to University
Boulevard from Stange Road to the southern city limits, but approve some other
mutually accepted street name.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
After reviewing this request, staff in the various departments of the City have expressed
no concerns with the proposed street name change. However, it has been suggested to
University officials that the impacted business owners be contacted to make sure they
are aware of this request and to determine the level of support for this change.
Mr. Madden has indicated that University officials have been in contact with the
adjacent business owners over the past months and have not received any objections
to this proposal. However, in response to our suggestion for further verification, Mr.
Madden sent out the attached letter. We have been informed that, to date, seven out of
the seventeen business owners have responded in writing voicing their support for the
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street name change. It is anticipated that this approval number will increase by the
time the matter is considered by the City Council. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No.
1, thereby approving the request from ISU to change the name of Elwood Drive to
University Boulevard from Stange Road to the southern city limits and direct the
City Attorney to prepare the necessary street name ordinance for consideration at
the next Council meeting.
It should be emphasized that the approval of the name change is only the first step in
implementing the Gateway Plan. Further approvals will be required from the City
Council before any structures or plantings can be placed in the City's right-of-way.
Issues such as liability, maintenance, and signage must be addressed to the
satisfaction of the City before the University officials can proceed with implementation of
the proposed Gateway Plan.