The Ames City Council will move forward with plans to build affordable housing on the land where the old middle school sat. The council Tuesday directed staff to begin the process of preparing the land at 321 State Ave. for the construction of single-family homes. Planning and Housing Director Kelly Diekmann says the city has to begin using Community Development Block Grant funds dedicated to the project. He says the city will extend Tripp St. and run sewer and water infrastructure. Second Ward Council Member Tim Gartin urged the council to live up to it's committment to nearby neighbordhoods to only build owner-occupied homes. The council also directed staff to gather more information on the possible construction of houses--whether to develop five lots or as many as 20.