JTS Improvements - Want More

[Messi]

If it flops we can just turn it into a retirement community.

Access to medical care and entertainment within walking distance right there at the Iowa State Campus.

Heck. I'm ready to buy a condo and start the retirement now.

 

[cyclone87]

The lots needed to be replace anyway, which would have cost about $30 mil. So why not spend another $5 mil and put in infrastructure for dev that could bring more revenue. Plus I think they have a donor that paid for a portion of it along with the university. Obviously hope it turns out great, but if it doesn’t I don’t think the AD is out that much. JP usually pretty smart about these things.

 

[Messi]

The lots needed to be replace anyway, which would have cost about $30 mil anyway. So why not spend another $5 mil and put in infrastructure for dev that could bring more revenue. Plus I think they have a donor that paid for a portion of it along with the university. Obviously hope ut turns out great, but if it doesn’t I don’t think the AD is out that much. JP usually pretty smart about these things.

math me out your math on this
you think building cytown will cost $5m?

 

[SayMyName]

Last layer of asphalt going down. Also looks like they're doing some brickwork on the driveway in front of the Alumni Center.

Good - that area needs a more of an upgraded plaza feel to it, IMO. Just disappointed they couldn't do something better than showcasing the expanse of drainage ditch right in front.

 

[JM4CY]

View attachment 133190

Put Campbells face on one of those suits that make it look like an alien is stealing you and theyd make a killing.

 

[Aclone]

math me out your math on this
you think building cytown will cost $5m?

No?

CyTown itself will be built by the private entities using the buildings.

 

[theshadow]

math me out your math on this
you think building cytown will cost $5m?

Infrastructure, as in running utilities.

 

[Urbandale2013]

I'm a cautious person by nature and this project from the beginning was way more risk than I was comfortable with. I've also seen too many developments similar to this fail and fail hard. I applaud Jamie for making this happen, and I hope (really really hope) that it succeeds. He's paid way more than me to figure this stuff out and has earned the benefit of the doubt.

I'm not sure that any of us are "out nothing" on this. It's a financial gamble and could make/break the AD budget for years to come.

I try to refrain from negatively commenting on these things until there's some concrete reason. For now, for my part, it's just fear of this being a total flop.

It’s basically zero risk since the tenants and developer are paying to build it.

 

[Aclone]

It’s basically zero risk since the tenants and developer are paying to build it.

Lots of folks here seem to have missed that.

 

[Messi]

Lots of folks here seem to have missed that.

ill own that i am not well educated enough on this to offer opinion
ill shut up now

 

[jcisuclones]

Good - that area needs a more of an upgraded plaza feel to it, IMO. Just disappointed they couldn't do something better than showcasing the expanse of drainage ditch right in front.

They had bricks in that area in the prior layout. Glad they're putting them back in.

 

[cytor]

They had bricks in that area in the prior layout. Glad they're putting them back in.

It should look really nice when completed.

 

[SolarGarlic]

I'm a cautious person by nature and this project from the beginning was way more risk than I was comfortable with. I've also seen too many developments similar to this fail and fail hard. I applaud Jamie for making this happen, and I hope (really really hope) that it succeeds. He's paid way more than me to figure this stuff out and has earned the benefit of the doubt.

I'm not sure that any of us are "out nothing" on this. It's a financial gamble and could make/break the AD budget for years to come.

I try to refrain from negatively commenting on these things until there's some concrete reason. For now, for my part, it's just fear of this being a total flop.

Lol this is so dramatic

 

[cytor]

I think Cytown has the ability to be a surprising success. It's a total new shot in the arm for Ames and it will be utilized more than some naysayers are thinking,

The amphitheater idea is genius. Free concerts all summer long on (pick a day of the week) to attract folks for a night out during the ISU off season. Get the right mix of food & drink establishments and it could really take off.

 

[nrg4isu]

Lol this is so dramatic

Don't worry, I'm not losing any sleep over it. I was just answering the question of why there's so much negativity around the project, from my point of view.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

Don't worry, I'm not losing any sleep over it. I was just answering the question of why there's so much negativity around the project, from my point of view.

I don’t think you understand how the financing of this even works. There’s very little financial risk to the AD. The lots and infrastructure will be paid for. Buildings are financed by developers. McFarland is paying for their building and leasing the land from ISU for $50k/year for the next 30 years. They currently have no revenue coming in from empty space.

 

[Aclone]

Based on this thread they could call it Crabby's Coffee. Old people will tell you about how all this new development is bad for Ames and yell at you as you order something other than black coffee.

Huh. I’m old (dammit!), and I’m all in favor of it.

Now GET OFF MY LAWN!

 

[dafarmer]

Are they putting in high tech video and audio so we can broadcast KSU basketball on the new video board? Need a command center to handle all the Tang plans.

 

[Aclone]

Are they putting in high tech video and audio so we can broadcast KSU basketball on the new video board? Need a command center to handle all the Tang plans.

Mo need. That’s what all the iPads all the coaches have now are for.

 

[Aclone]

Starting to put up fences around most of the CyTown strip.