HomeMy WebLinkAboutA024 - First reading of ordinance renaming Center Avenue to Chantland AvenueITEM #:26
DATE:02-10-26
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:RENAMING CENTER AVENUE TO CHANTLAND AVENUE
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
On November 18, 2025, the City Council received a memo from staff requesting that Center
Avenue be renamed "Chantland Avenue." The City Council directed that staff prepare an
ordinance accomplishing the name change.
The rationale for the name change is to honor Arnold O. Chantland, who passed away in
January 2026 at age 98. In 1975, the City opened the Resource Recovery Plant, located at
110 Center Avenue. Since that time, the facility has processed millions of tons of municipal
solid waste, removing recyclable materials and producing an alternative boiler fuel for the
Power Plant. The Resource Recovery Plant was the initiative of former Public Works Director
Arnold O. Chantland. In recognition of his efforts, on July 9, 1991, the City Council renamed
the facility the “Arnold O. Chantland Resource Recovery Plant.”
Changes outside the City’s control over the past 50 years have prompted the City to pursue a
new facility to manage the community’s solid waste and recycling needs – the Resource
Recovery and Recycling Campus (R3C). This new facility undoubtedly benefits from
innovations and lessons learned from five decades of operations at the Arnold O. Chantland
Resource Recovery Plant.
The new R3C will be located approximately a mile from the existing facility, which will close
once the R3C becomes operational. Staff believes that it would be fitting to recognize the
contributions of Arnold O. Chantland in an enduring fashion by renaming Center
Avenue to Chantland Avenue.
This street is one block in length and contains three properties addressed on it (one of which
is the Resource Recovery Plant). Additionally, renaming this street will reduce potential
confusion with Center Drive (at the Iowa State Center), which is a goal of the City’s adopted
Street Naming Guide. The ordinance formalizing the name change is attached for the
Council's review.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Approve first reading of an ordinance renaming Center Avenue to Chantland Avenue.
2. Do not approve the name change.
3. Refer this item to staff for further information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Arnold Chantland directed numerous improvements to the Ames community during his
time as Public Works Director, including the development of the Resource Recovery
1
Plant. As that facility prepares to close, staff believes it would be fitting to rename
Center Avenue in Mr. Chantland's honor. Additionally, the name change provides the
benefit of reducing potential confusion with the similarly named Center Drive at the
Iowa State Center. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City
Council adopt Alternative #1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ordinance Renaming Center to Chantland Ave.PDF
2
DO NOT WRITE IN SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE, RESERVED FOR RECORDER
Prepared by: Mark O. Lambert, City Attorney, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010 (Phone: 515-239-5146)
Address Tax Statement To: City of Ames, Iowa, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010
Return to Ames City Clerk, Box 811, Ames, IA 50010
ORDINANCE NO. ____________
AN ORDINANCE TO RENAME CENTER AVENUE IN THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, TO
CHANTLAND AVENUE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED, by the City Council for the City of Ames, Iowa, that:
Section One. The name of Center Avenue is changed to “Chantland Avenue.”
Section Two. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to
the extent of such conflict, if any.
Section Three. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
Passed this day of , 2026.
________________________________________________________
John A. Haila, Mayor
First Reading: ___________________
Second Reading: _________________
Third Reading: ___________________
Passed on: ______________________
I, Renee Hall, City Clerk of the City of Ames, Iowa, hereby certify that the above and foregoing is
a true copy of Ordinance No. ______________, passed by the City Council of said City at the meeting
held on ______________________and signed by the Mayor on ________________________, and
published in the Ames Tribune on ___________________________.
________________________________________
Renee Hall, City Clerk
3