JTS Improvements - Want More
- Thread starter TOFB4ISU
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I’m a bit confused.
I know that they raised the level of the lots (and the future CyTown), to put it above the flood plain. I figure the contractor who did it reasonably knew what they were doing, and had the entire area flat and at the same level, as the lots went in.
So…why have they been peeling soil off the (soon to be) MacFarland lot, and trucking it away? This isn’t the first time, either.
Seems counterproductive—and not just having that one lot at a lower level.
They do seem to be preparing it for paving now, as well.
I know that they raised the level of the lots (and the future CyTown), to put it above the flood plain. I figure the contractor who did it reasonably knew what they were doing, and had the entire area flat and at the same level, as the lots went in.
So…why have they been peeling soil off the (soon to be) MacFarland lot, and trucking it away? This isn’t the first time, either.
Seems counterproductive—and not just having that one lot at a lower level.
They do seem to be preparing it for paving now, as well.
Probably put more on to let it compact over the winter and are now bringing it to the designed elevation.
The parking lot for the clinic.
Looks like the clinic will be on a pad, no basement. Makes sense in a flood plan.
Just a guess, but the areas not paved were probably not brought to a final grade, that is done right before paving. They probably got it close, and accounted for some settlement etc, now are bringing it to exact grade to pave. That being said I have not looked at the camera to see exactly what is happening just going by your description.
Even with the buildings being on pads, they will still have to have footings and plumbing etc dug in, but that would not have a lot of haul away as most would be used as backfill.
I can’t tell how much they scraped off, but it was enough that they spent a full twelve hours today (7am-7pm) loading dump trucks, and they’d taken away a decent number of loads before this.
It almost looks like they took it down to the original clay, but that can’t be right, can it?
That does seem like more than just getting it to the final grade. Not sure what they are doing then.
Yeah, there was a road construction project near me that had phase 1 done and they waited for about 2 years before jumping into phase 2. During that time they had a pile of fill at least 10 feet higher than the final grade just allowing it to compact over time. They hauled virtually none of the fill away from phase 1, just piled it up on where phase 2 would be. Fewer problems with soft spots in the final product that way.
Anyone know how this project is progressing?
AMES, Iowa – Construction begins on the South 16th Street widening project on Tuesday, June 17, weather permitting. Traffic on South 16th Street from Apple Place to west of South Riverside Drive will be maintained one lane in each direction throughout construction. The shared-use path along South 16th Street will be closed.
This marks the first phase in a two-phase project to widen South 16th Street to four lanes from University Boulevard to the Veterinary Medicine Trail. The City of Ames has contracted with Con-Struct for this project.
To accommodate the Iowa State University academic calendar and football season, the project will be constructed in two phases over two construction seasons. Substantial completion of the first phase is anticipated by Friday, Aug. 22. The second phase is scheduled for substantial completion by Friday, Aug. 21, 2026.
The project also includes the extension of storm sewer infrastructure along South 16th Street, the addition of curb and gutter, and new multi-use trail along the north and south of the street. Access to ISU Veterinary Medicine buildings will be maintained throughout the project.
And, to my surprise, when I looked to see if they were setting up to pave—they’re taking more off today.
I drove by the old haunted forest (have to say old as the trees where they had it at are all gone) and see since they removed all the trees, they have some large piles of limbs and they haven't mowed at all. With all the weeds and piles of debris, it almost makes it look haunted though.
Stange Road and Hyland avenue still are not paved yet. I realize all the rain we've had has hampered things but with school right around the corner, it could be a cluster f*ck for traffic if these aren't done. But then again it only took until November last year to get the stretch of 24th street done.
2023 was the last year they did the haunted shows over Halloween. The Ballard's still own it but they figured they could add around 300 more parking spots if they got rid of all the trees that made up the walk through show.
We went through it after an ISU game quite a few years ago, it was pretty funny to go through, especially when you've been drinking all day.
To wrap up my last few posts here…they finished scraping down to clay, then brought in several truckloads of dirt and spread that out.
Yesterday trucks came in who appeared to do the electrical work for the parking lot lights. As they finished grading g the new soil. Some of the spots still need the concrete bases.
Today all of the earthmoving equipment is out of sight, if not gone. I didn’t look to see if it was loaded onto trucks.
They’ve been adding the trusses (right word?) for the roof supports for the south part of the building.
With all the rain, I was wondering if they’d get the roof on and walls up before winter, looks now like they’ll make it.
Yesterday trucks came in who appeared to do the electrical work for the parking lot lights. As they finished grading g the new soil. Some of the spots still need the concrete bases.
Today all of the earthmoving equipment is out of sight, if not gone. I didn’t look to see if it was loaded onto trucks.
They’ve been adding the trusses (right word?) for the roof supports for the south part of the building.
With all the rain, I was wondering if they’d get the roof on and walls up before winter, looks now like they’ll make it.
After all sorts of odd things happening today in the future MacFarland parking lot that I had neither time to watch, nor background to figure out, they care currently rolling it.
Maybe paving tomorrow?
Maybe paving tomorrow?
Some Sunday morning rambling.
I checked the CyTown Webcam a few times this week. Thursday and Friday it looked like there was a surveyor in the parking lot, then a skid loader tidying things up. Take that as you will.
Saw them lowering short sections of beams into the southwest elevator shaft one day. Noticed that the southeast one appears to have a tarp over it.
The section that they’ve been working on to the south appears to have the framing for all three floors and roof largely done, if not complete now.
I wonder if they’re doing it this way so they can enclose that half and work on the interior, as they frame the remainder.
Then I started to wonder if the point of making the south portion look “finished” might be for when TV cameras pan to the north from the stadium on game days.
Marketing.
Who knows? Guess we’ll see, huh?
I checked the CyTown Webcam a few times this week. Thursday and Friday it looked like there was a surveyor in the parking lot, then a skid loader tidying things up. Take that as you will.
Saw them lowering short sections of beams into the southwest elevator shaft one day. Noticed that the southeast one appears to have a tarp over it.
The section that they’ve been working on to the south appears to have the framing for all three floors and roof largely done, if not complete now.
I wonder if they’re doing it this way so they can enclose that half and work on the interior, as they frame the remainder.
Then I started to wonder if the point of making the south portion look “finished” might be for when TV cameras pan to the north from the stadium on game days.
Marketing.
Who knows? Guess we’ll see, huh?
