Wilson Ave. property developer details plans for building housing units in old bus barn

Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune
·3 min read
The property owner of 1621 Wilson Avenue, the former Ames School District bus barn, is looking to redevelop and place a 14-unit apartment building on the property.
The property owner of 1621 Wilson Avenue, the former Ames School District bus barn, is looking to redevelop and place a 14-unit apartment building on the property.

The owner of the former Ames School District barn plans to transform the building into a multi-use housing unit, complete with private entrances and additional privacy.

Usman Haq of Ames, owner of 1621 Wilson Avenue, initially envisioned a 14-unit apartment or condominium building.

But a Feb. 22 public meeting uncovered a concerned contingent of neighborhood residents.

Many were against creating an apartment building with so many units, taking their complaints to the Ames City Council on Feb. 27.

Haq said he could probably decrease the number of units offered, instead leaning more toward separate living quarters than a typical apartment building.

"I think the neighbors are thinking it's going to be more of an apartment building," Haq said. "It's going to be more of individual units with a separate entrance; maybe what we can do is more like a townhome style."

The property owner emphasized the building designs are preliminary with nothing set in stone. He believes his development idea would help the neighborhood and is willing to address any legitimate concerns they may have.

"I don't think (the development) will hurt, because it will be better than what it is; currently, it is just one big parking lot and a big building," Haq said. "I think this is going to be a win-win situation for everyone."

More: Wilson Avenue residents oppose potential apartment building in old bus barn

A rendering of what the property at 1621 Wilson Avenue could look like if it were redeveloped for multiple units.
A rendering of what the property at 1621 Wilson Avenue could look like if it were redeveloped for multiple units.

From buses to families

Haq bought the 1621 Wilson Avenue property in 2017. He grew up just one street over in his dad's old home on Clark Avenue.

Despite his initial intention to build a single-family home, Haq ultimately decided against it due to rising costs.

"Before COVID, I got a quote to destroy the building and it was going to cost me $200,000," Haq said. "It didn't make financial sense, and I put the plan on hold."

Haq was inspired by the transformation of the former Roosevelt Elementary School, which is now filled with state-of-the-art condominiums. He wanted to do something similar with the old bus barn.

"I figured, maybe I can revitalize it, make it look nice," Haq said. "I have a target for young professionals like people from the hospital because it is pretty close to it, and rent out to those people. I can also use the existing building instead of trying to destroy it."

Haq wants to get some use out of the empty building instead of letting it rot.

More: The Linc's $150 million development in Ames delayed by inflation, high interest rates

The property owner of 1621 Wilson Avenue, the former Ames School District bus barn, is looking to redevelop and place a 14-unit apartment building on the property.
The property owner of 1621 Wilson Avenue, the former Ames School District bus barn, is looking to redevelop and place a 14-unit apartment building on the property.

District would need rezoned

Haq's property at 1621 Wilson Avenue is zoned S-GA: Special Purpose Government/Airport District. The district is intended for government property, including the Ames Community School District.

The surrounding property is all currently zoned for individual, private homes. The area would need to be rezoned to allow Haq to build a new housing development.

Benjamin Campbell from Ames Planning and Housing said a property owner must submit a formal application to rezone a specific district. The application and a report are then presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a recommended action.

"Prior to this meeting, staff sends out mailed notices to properties within 200 feet and posts a sign on the subject property," Campbell said. "At the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting, there is a public hearing where anyone can address the commission. The review by the commission is then forwarded to the city council."

The property owner of 1621 Wilson Avenue, the former Ames School District bus barn, is looking to redevelop and place a 14-unit apartment building on the property.
The property owner of 1621 Wilson Avenue, the former Ames School District bus barn, is looking to redevelop and place a 14-unit apartment building on the property.

The city council review is similar. The Planning & Zoning Commission and city staff will again present a report with a recommended action, and mailed notices to properties neighboring properties will be sent out. A sign will be posted on the property and a notice will be published in the newspaper.

A public hearing will be held to decide whether to approve the request during an upcoming city council meeting.

The rezoning requires three approvals from the city council. It would be changed after the third and final reading.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Inside the plans to turn a Wilson Avenue bus barn into housing