Ames urbanization and densification

[SEIOWA CLONE]

Not a chance that will ever happen.

You are probley right, but that is the problem with Duff Av. there was no forethought in how it was going to be used down the road. Right now there is not a need for such a road, but 10 to 15 years years from now, if the current growth continues, and there is every reason to believe it will, then will be needed.

 

[Cypow]

I took that class too or a similar one. Mine was basically to make Campustown pedestrian only and the only feedback from other students was "where would we park".... I don't know maybe that GIANT ASS BRAND NEW INTERMODAL FACILITY THAT NO ONE USES!? (Or at least at the time no one used it. Hope it's finally gotten some traction)

Small town people and suburbanites always seem to get up in arms if they have to walk more than a block from their car.

It's an unfortunate cultural mindset. City planning can encourage more pedestrian areas. After that, you just have to wait for the suburban/small town mindsets to shift with more exposure.

There are plans to close off a street or two in Campustown and make a true pedestrian mall. I'm sure we'll see this happen in the next decade.

 

[Jammin’]

Hey Cypow

Here’s a link for the plans/goals for Lincoln way through Ames.

https://www.cityofames.org/home/showdocument?id=41765

 

[ISU22CY]

Small town people and suburbanites always seem to get up in arms if they have to walk more than a block from their car.

It's an unfortunate cultural mindset. City planning can encourage more pedestrian areas. After that, you just have to wait for the suburban/small town mindsets to shift with more exposure.

There are plans to close off a street or two in Campustown and make a true pedestrian mall. I'm sure we'll see this happen in the next decade.

I mean I'm small town but my wife still can't get over me having no problem walking blocks through campustown and downtown. Guess it's just part of going there in college and getting use to it.

 

[CyCrazy]

Hey Cypow

Here’s a link for the plans/goals for Lincoln way through Ames.

https://www.cityofames.org/home/showdocument?id=41765

"Goals", no way Ames approves that.

 

[theshadow]

IMO, one of the biggest problems in west Ames is that thanks to the woods, there are only 2 N/S roads that go all the way through from Lincoln Way to Ontario.

 

[CyCrazy]

IMO, one of the biggest problems in west Ames is that thanks to the woods, there are only 2 N/S roads that go all the way through from Lincoln Way to Ontario.

I know, my backyard is in the Applied Science field. Ya I know first world problems but it is a pain.

 

[Pat]

There's a lot of truth in your post, but Duff is a nightmare during the work week even when the students are away. There's no good way to leave the various businesses that are slammed next to each other and trying to grab lunch from any of the fast food joints on that side of town - even during the pandemic - takes WAY longer than it should. Outside of the lunch hour and gamedays, Ames is very manageable. Adding a dedicated right-hand turn lane into some of these places would help significantly.

I don’t know what the city planners have against turn lanes, but my god would right (AND LEFT!) turn lanes solve like half of the problems. I think it’s quaint that they seem to think extending Grand to 30 is going to magically solve the problems on Duff.

 

[AuH2O]

What you are saying is true today, but what about in 10 to 15 years? With the growth of new housing being built between the NW part of Ames and North to Gilbert its going to be a mess and getting worse.

That could be, but it has a way to go before it will be a mess traffic-wise. I Have gone up through Somerset and NW Ames from the center of town hundreds of times and I’m not sure I would ever even classify it as congested.

I would like to see some improvements to flow on S Duff. Outside of that I just don’t see traffic or lack of routes as a problem. It could always be better, but towns grow over time and rarely do you get to do much true city “planning”, and have to do a good amount reacting to where the growth happens.

 

[chuckd4735]

Ames Long Range Transportation Plan is actually very good. It shows Bloomington extended from Duff to I-35 and creating a new interchange there. How it gets paid for is another question, but it's been in the plan for awhile.

Metropolitan Transportation Plan | City of Ames, IA

Ames Mobility 2040 is the Long Range Transportation Plan for the Ames - Gilbert metropolitan area.

www.cityofames.org

 

[Rabbuk]

The problem is that Main Street gets so much of the money and attention from the city, but it is not an area that about 90% of the population of Ames visits (or at least needs to visit). I enjoy the little boutiques and shops, and get my hair done down there. But it is sort of like Campustown - more of a pain than it is worth most of the time.

I lived in ames for 3 years and went to main Street less than 5 times

 

[isucy86]

I don't spend too much time in Ames other than sport events. I always thought the area 2-3 blocks North & South along Lincoln Way between University and Grand Avenue is a valuable development area that is lost due to the residential nature. Would be great to have a vibrant residential/retail area between campus and downtown. I am sure existing property owners would take exception.

When I lived in Clive/Waukee, would have loved if there was 4 lane HWY from 141 N. of Grimes to West Ames around Y Avenue. Maybe continue that North as a beltline HWY around West & North Ames to hook back into 35.

 

[Cycsk]

I remember first coming to visit the university. I was totally sold on it from an academic perspective (strong reputation in my major of choice) and I loved the pictures I had seen of campus, among many other things.

When I first got to Ames and saw Duff Avenue and the east side of Lincoln Way, I almost changed my mind. I'm glad I didn't, but a large portion of town is a real eyesore.

I know that might seem a bit anecdotal, but to answer the question posed by @Cycsk, I care because I have heard many students say similar things. Ames is a poorly planned town (that's being generous), and in areas it can look quite sad. This initial impression certainly has an effect (difficult to say how significant) on potential students visiting for the first time. I'd just like to get a pulse on what others think about future development, and how this benefits the university - which, at the end of the day, is my only concern.

Appreciate your advocacy. Seems to have tapped into a lot of interest today.

 

[CrossCyed]

This town could use a monorail

 

[SCNCY]

I concur with others saying that the travel around Ames takes longer than it should. After school, I stayed and worked in Ames for a couple years. It would take me probably 20-30 minutes to go from some tart to the business park along I35.

Also, during the last veisha, when people rioted again, I have a friend who works at Danfos. Him and some coworkers were taking about the riots and my friend joked people were rioting because of the lack of left turn lanes in the city.

Traffic flow around Ames is poor, but I think better planning of streets and more turning lanes would help. Also consolidation of strip mall entries and exits would help for those wanting to drive through certain sections if the city.

 

[cycloneG]

This town could use a monorail

 

[CycloneErik]

@CycloneErik why you trying to bring Ames down?

Because it's there.

 

[Cyched]

Because it's there.

 

[cyclone87]

The biggest thing for Ames is with growth comes challenges. Many areas of Ames weren’t designed for the level of growth the city has seen. The current planning the city is undertaking is good imo, also the current city leadership is pretty focused in on this aspect with the mayor having a strong background in that area. Currently Ames 2040 is underway and will guide city planning for the next 20 years. https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-i-z/planning/comprehensive-plan

 

[Angie]

I lived in ames for 3 years and went to main Street less than 5 times

I think that is exactly it. Students almost never go down there, nor does a lot of the population outside one or two businesses. It is inconvenient and I think there needs to be a bit more variety in businesses to draw more people.