Campustown Redevelopment

[Frak]

For the love of all that exists, please tell me the bolded is a typo and you don’t actually draw the line of “too far to walk” at a mere 2 blocks.
Pricing wise, higher prices = fewer students = more locals & alumni visitors. That’s oversimplified but the gist of ‘pricing out’ college students who just want to party. Throw in an earlier closing time too.

Agree with the last part. It’s too disjointed for any one area to be truly desirable. As someone in my mid-30s I tend toward Main St, but do enjoy stopping at Es Tas for 3 tacos and a drink or two in the afternoon during my semi-annual return to Ames.

I’m generalizing older alumni consumer choices. Say someone in their 50s or 60s is in town and is choosing between a place on main st or a place in campustown. Do you not think that that 2 block walk plays into the decision? I mean, all other things being equal, most people will pick the place where you can park nearby and walk right in.

 

[JK4ISU]

I’m generalizing older alumni consumer choices. Say someone in their 50s or 60s is in town and is choosing between a place on main st or a place in campustown. Do you not think that that 2 block walk plays into the decision? I mean, all other things being equal, most people will pick the place where you can park nearby and walk right in.

As an alum in my 60’s, I would say the reason they don’t go to campustown is because the places they remember aren’t there anymore (with the exception of PP/WAS). I think they are more likely to go to Maude’s, Great Plains, or Hickory Park.

 

[BCClone]

I’m generalizing older alumni consumer choices. Say someone in their 50s or 60s is in town and is choosing between a place on main st or a place in campustown. Do you not think that that 2 block walk plays into the decision? I mean, all other things being equal, most people will pick the place where you can park nearby and walk right in.

Not really a lot of sit down places to grab a meal and drink last I knew outside of pizza in campus town. Maybe I’m wrong, happy to be corrected.

 

[Cyched]

WAS, Cafe B, Es Tas are all fine places to go regardless if you’re a student or alum.

Our group (early 30s) went to paddy’s a Friday before a game last season when we had everyone back in town. Felt out of place, but it’s still fun to revisit the old stomping grounds every once in a while.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

Also Bar LaTosca, although that’s a more subdued crowd than the regular campustown. Used to be Stomping Grounds, same owner.

 

[Candide]

I love the Pizza Pit/Welch Ave Station set up. If they ever close one of them I'll riot.

Worked at Pizza Pit in the late 90's and they are a package deal. The chances of one going without the other are slim and none.

 

[drmwevr08]

Worked at Pizza Pit in the late 90's and they are a package deal. The chances of one going without the other are slim and none.

Awesome that it's still around. Was by far my favorite place down there between 97-01.

 

[Big Daddy Kang]

Is Toad's still downtown? I remember back in the 90's there was a biker bar downtown that you really didn't want to go into. Can't remember the name.

LB's? That place rocked!

 

[nfrine]

History...

https://www.ameshistory.org/sites/default/files/Campustown%20Tour_print.pdf

1951: Hy-Vee comes to Campustown

70 years ago, Hy-Vee opened a supermarket in Campustown, just a block from Friley Hall and the first place in Ames with automatic doors.

iowastatedailyarchive.com

 

[BryceC]

I'm generally always in Team "Preservation" over something new going in. The block feels soulless now with that original cornerstone building.

I am the exact opposite. That block was really crappy. Now move on to the east and do something else.

 

[Nor'easter]

I'm generally always in Team "Preservation" over something new going in. The block feels soulless now with that original cornerstone building.

I'm team preservation more and more because #1 older buildings are always better looking at thr very least but #2 it seems more and more when a building gets demo'd for new construction theres a 50/50 chance the financing or whatever for the new development falls through and we're left with an empty lot. Happened once in Campustown, and seems to happen all the time in Des Moines especially downtown.

 

[NWICY]

Awesome that it's still around. Was by far my favorite place down there between 97-01.

Pizza pit and then the library, was there in the early 80s. $5 single topping larges with a coupon from the Daily was the go to.

 

[dafarmer]

Dublin Bay, for those who want a sit-down restaurant and drinks. Just need to explore Ames and find other places.

 

[ackatch]

Dublin Bay, for those who want a sit-down restaurant and drinks. Just need to explore Ames and find other places.

When I worked in Ames we would got there a few times a month, and I can honestly say I don't ever plan on going back. Mediocre food and what I remember the service wasn't very good either.

 

[dafarmer]

When I worked in Ames we would got there a few times a month, and I can honestly say I don't ever plan on going back. Mediocre food and what I remember the service wasn't very good either.

To each his own, just telling people to get out of their ruts. More to life than Busch lite and chain restaurants.

 

[ISUTex]

To each his own, just telling people to get out of their ruts. More to life than Busch lite and chain restaurants.

A Busch Light at Applebees. Hmmmmmm. Good.

 

[Havs]

Dublin Bay, for those who want a sit-down restaurant and drinks. Just need to explore Ames and find other places.

I love Dublin Bay and want absolutely nothing about it to change now that its established. However, imagine if that place had located in Campustown back in its inception. It'd be one of those "ISU Staple" type places, but since its on the edge of town not near anything memorable, it kind of gets forgotten since its not part of a broader district or place.

 

[CyCrazy]

Dublin Bay, for those who want a sit-down restaurant and drinks. Just need to explore Ames and find other places.

Mucky Duck

 

[theshadow]

CVS is now officially closed.

The Fuzzy's/Cactus location is still empty (from last fall).

The Collective (former Smokin' Oak location) is closed.

Jeff's is undergoing a huge reno. I think they'll be back to dine-in (and lunch slices) in the next few weeks. The counter is now right inside the Lincoln Way entrance; no longer tucked next to the steps from the Stanton entrance.

So the only ground-floor things right now on LW between Welch and Stanton are: Freddy's, High Class Glass, and a partially-open Jeff's.

And, for those who care about the trees (see other thread), there are trees planted in at least half of the retention/detention "pits."

 

[theshadow]

Also, the ATM on the corner by Jimmy John's is gone.