Campustown Redevelopment

[SolarGarlic]

I must be the only one that doesn't like how the 'new' looks. That area has lost it's charm, but I don't like change. Just don't touch Welch Ave Station, Mickey's, or Paddy's please.

Now get off my lawn.

Let it go. Let it go.

It's sad to see it look much different than when we went to school, but the area around Welch is brutal for a major university. What you call charm is actually just old, ugly buildings. Some of the staples that you listed will remain, but they're going to need a facelift (Welch Ave Station might be safe). The area around the MU looks so much better now than it did when I was in school. That entire area, including Welch and Lincoln Way, needs more of that type of development, even if it's a little cookie-cutter.

 

[TXCyclones]

Ehh, while they have a different name and there are mostly college kids there, you still wouldn't be able to tell it was a college town if you just drove through it other than the campus and athletic stuff. All the retail blends in with the rest of the greater phoenix area. My family has lived in the valley for 4 years and you can go from Scottsdale to Tempe to Phoenix and not really know you crossed 3 different cities.

That road you're referencing is Rural, which is essentially our Lincoln Way. Scottsdale Rd turns into Rural on the east side of campus. Mill Ave is their Welch Ave, which has a number of old buildings with "some" character, but few chains and little retail.

 

[DFWClone]

That road you're referencing is Rural, which is essentially our Lincoln Way. Scottsdale Rd turns into Rural on the east side of campus. Mill Ave is their Welch Ave, which has a number of old buildings with "some" character, but few chains and little retail.

Then my point stands about being it hard to compare Tempe to Ames.

 

[TXCyclones]

Then my point stands about being it hard to compare Tempe to Ames.

We'll agree to disagree, because my original point was regarding Mill Ave compared to Welch as I'd said.

 

[Playboi Carti]

I was in Ames for a few days moving my daughter into Geoffroy Hall. I was so disappointed to see how Lincoln Way/Welch has essentially dried up relative to great independent businesses. We ate at Fighting Burrito (big disappointment) the first night there before move in. Then we ventured out looking for someplace to eat later in the week, and I was even more disappointed to see the state of the Lincoln Way/Duff area. Businesses shuttered. It was bizarre and unlike any recent college town I've been to. It was encouraging to see the new construction going on west of campus on Lincoln Way. Is there a grand plan for something happening soon?

That area of town is really a **** show. I always try to avoid going there

 

[psyclone51]

One thing to remember about campus town in Ames, is that downtown and campus town are miles apart. Many college towns have them blended, such as Manhattan, and when that happens, a larger "campus town" emerges. Don't see changing it here in Ames; that is just the way it is. Only complaint I hear from students now about campus town is it has so many new buildings that the character has been lost; that will return over time, but it is a hugely changed area from even 5 years ago. For me, I think it is an improvement but I know not everyone will agree.

 

[ISpyCy]

One thing to remember about campus town in Ames, is that downtown and campus town are miles apart. Many college towns have them blended, such as Manhattan, and when that happens, a larger "campus town" emerges. Don't see changing it here in Ames; that is just the way it is. Only complaint I hear from students now about campus town is it has so many new buildings that the character has been lost; that will return over time, but it is a hugely changed area from even 5 years ago. For me, I think it is an improvement but I know not everyone will agree.

It may or may not be the same now as it was when I was in school, but the moods and the reception of people between downtown Ames and Campustown was night and day. I don't think too many people in Downtown really liked my friends and I trying something different for once. It's probably a good thing Ames has that separation.

On a side note (and I think I say this every time), Campustown hasn't been the same to me since People's packed up and left town. Still have my FAC mug too.

 

[DFWClone]

Currently 11:38 on Friday 9/22 and there is not an open store front on Welch ave.

 

[Farnsworth]

It may or may not be the same now as it was when I was in school, but the moods and the reception of people between downtown Ames and Campustown was night and day. I don't think too many people in Downtown really liked my friends and I trying something different for once. It's probably a good thing Ames has that separation.

On a side note (and I think I say this every time), Campustown hasn't been the same to me since People's packed up and left town. Still have my FAC mug too.

Well that wasn't Peoples fault. That whole situation was crappy.

 

[Messi]

Currently 11:38 on Friday 9/22 and there is not an open store front on Welch ave.

Stores? What places other than bars and restaurants should be open at 1138pm on a Friday?

 

[cyclone87]

Currently 11:38 on Friday 9/22 and there is not an open store front on Welch ave.

CVS?

 

[theshadow]

Stores? What places other than bars and restaurants should be open at 1138pm on a Friday?

Exactly. Other than bars, eateries, and the gas station, how many "stores" are on Welch? Copyworks, CVS, a couple of tattoo parlors, a couple of barbershops? It's apparently ludicrous that someone can't get a haircut and fresh ink at midnight.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

Currently 11:38 on Friday 9/22 and there is not an open store front on Welch ave.

As a current student i only go to welch for the bars. I never really heard of people going to welch to shop.

 

[chuckd4735]

It used to annoy the crap out of me when Taco Bell across from Friley would close at 9:30.

 

[Havs]

This development is going to be huge for the SW corner of campus.



http://www.rivercaddis.com/ames-river-caddis.html

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

Walked past that area every day my senior year and that area definitely needed work.

I did love stopping in at Swift Stop for a snack/take home beers after a night on Welch, though.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

I'm all for development but that building looks kinda ugly.
I also have fond memories of that swift stop. 6 pack of tall boys and the microwave chicken and cheese sandwiches used to be a staple for me.

 

[Messi]

Walked past that area every day my senior year and that area definitely needed work.

I did love stopping in at Swift Stop for a snack/take home beers after a night on Welch, though.

A liquor store would be smart to open up shop in one of the retail spaces on the first floor. Iowa City has Liqour Downtown on the first floor of an apartment building and they have to just rake in the $

 

[istater7]

It'll be interesting to see what retail stores pop up in there. Hopefully not another pizza place.

 

[Mtowncyclone13]

Walked past that area every day my senior year and that area definitely needed work.

I did love stopping in at Swift Stop for a snack/take home beers after a night on Welch, though.

a guy i knew got his car stolen while paying for gas inside the swift stop.