HomeMy WebLinkAboutA040 - Hearing to transfer Vacated Alley located at 325 Ash Avenue to Alpha Iota Association of Phi Gamma DeltaITEM #:42
DATE:10-14-25
DEPT:PW
SUBJECT:HEARING TO TRANSFER VACATED ALLEY LOCATED AT 325 ASH
AVENUE TO ALPHA IOTA ASSOCIATION OF PHI GAMMA DELTA
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
In 1917, the Ames City Council passed Ordinance No. 294, which vacated a north-south alley
located within Lot 4 of Parker ’s Addition to Ames. The ordinance annulled the City’s interest in
the alley but did not result in the formal transfer of the vacated land to the adjoining property
owners. As a result, the vacated alley remained in the City’s name and is still carried as public
property on the Story County records. The property surrounding this vacated alley, now legally
described as Parcel “F”, is entirely owned by the Alpha Iota Association of Phi Gamma Delta,
including: Lot 4 in Little’s Subdivision Lot 6 and the South 20 feet of Lot 7 in Gray & Cessna’s
Subdivision.
A Plat of Survey recorded on February 12, 2025 (Instrument No. 25-00967) shows the subject
alley as part of Parcel “F” with an electric easement accommodating the overhead electric in
the area. However, no quit claim deed has been executed to formally transfer title of the
vacated alley to the Alpha Iota Association of Phi Gamma Delta. A recent title opinion dated
April 24, 2025, confirms that the City of Ames is still listed as the legal titleholder and
recommends finalizing the transfer pursuant to Iowa Code Section 364.7.
To address this, staff proposes transferring the vacated alley to the adjoining property owner
by quit claim deed, consistent with previous actions for similar alley segments. Other
examples include:
A 1993 transfer to First Baptist Church (Instrument No. 13108),
A 2006 transfer to Iowa Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi (Instrument No. 2006-0003922),
and
A 2011 transfer to the Iowa Farm House Association (Resolution No. 11-440).
Per City policy, the value of vacated right-of-way is based on the average assessed value of
the adjoining properties, reduced by 10% for the use of a quit claim deed and 15% for
retaining public utility easements. Based on this formula, the estimated value of the vacated
alley parcel is $92,742. However, staff recommends that this transfer be completed at no
cost to the property owner, as the Alpha Iota Association of Phi Gamma Delta has
maintained the alley area for many years at no cost to the City and paid property taxes
on the vacated alleyway since at least 1948, despite the City retaining legal title since
the 1917 vacation. The City will retain all necessary public utility easements as documented
in the recorded Plat of Survey or as otherwise required.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve the conveyance of the vacated alley located within Lot 4 of Parker ’s Addition to
the Alpha Iota Association of Phi Gamma Delta at no cost, and authorize execution of
the Quit Claim Deed.
2. Do not approve the conveyance and retain title to the vacated alley in the City’s name.
3. Refer the item back to staff for further information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The alley has been vacated for over 100 years and is fully encompassed by property
under a single ownership. Conveyance of the City’s remaining interest will formalize
the title and follow past practices for similar alley vacations. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted
above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Vacation_of_Alley_1917.pdf
325_Ash_Ave_Plat_of_Survey.pdf
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OED1N.1 ().
An ordinance vacating the
heretofore plotted in lot four
aile
(•1)
Parker's addition to the city o.
Ames, Iowa.
Be it ordained by the-city council
of the city of Anics, Iowa.
Section 1.' Tlct the alley hereto
fore platted and dedicated to the city
of Ames, Iowa, in lot four .(4), Par
ker’s addition to the city of Anics, be,
and the same is hereby declared va-
cated and the city’s interest therein
"annulled. X
Section 2. This ordinance is to
take effect and be in full force from
and after its passage and publication
as provided by law.
G. E. BAKER,
A. B. MAXWELL,Mayor.
City Auditor and Clerk.
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