Cytown Update

This has always been a 10 year plan. It was announced in 2019 as being a 10 year plan. They have adjusted that here or there as time has went on, saying ahead of schedule, etc. As hoping for completion by end of 2027....which is still almost 2 years away, you can build a lot of buildings in 2 years, especially when most of the dirt work etc is done.

That being said If it is not done in the 10 year timeframe, I would probably get a little concerned depending on what is being done at that point. So if we get past 2029, with little or no progress, I would start asking questions.

That being said expecting construction to start in the middle of winter in Iowa, especially when they have a 2 year window to be finished by the end of 2027 is kind of ridiculous. The Regents just approved the construction of 6 more buildings in December.... 3, winter months ago.
I retired back to Ames three years ago after living in very large cities for 40 years and owning businesses. Cytown is going to work. The Ames area and Iowa State are healthy with growth and construction. Slow and steady growth. Huxley and the INTERSTATE 35 corridor are undergoing tremendous expansion. Iowa State's enrollment is strong and growing. The campus is popping - go walk around and look at some of the modern engineering buildings.The brand new Industrial Engineering building is stunning. The new building expansions at the ISU Vet School are terrific.The Research Park has three new office buildings.

The entire Iowa State Center envisioned by the late President James Hilton in the late 1950's was and is, a remarkable vision. Complain all you want. IOWA STATE will "get er dun".

Iowa State has a 100 year tradition of slow and steady growth with fiscally responsible financial management. GO CLONES!
 
We had a sick relative at UI hospital clinic and went there to visit. Feels like there is 1/2 billion $ in development going on in that area. Everything brand new for miles in all directions. Not sure why Ames would struggle with ISU and Des Moines-Ankeny generating growth.
 
We had a sick relative at UI hospital clinic and went there to visit. Feels like there is 1/2 billion $ in development going on in that area. Everything brand new for miles in all directions. Not sure why Ames would struggle with ISU and Des Moines-Ankeny generating growth.
I think you answered your question to an extent. Why develop 30 miles from the DM metro when you can do it on the edges of the metro.

The North Lib and Coralville areas have exploded. There’s a ton of development due to Uof I hospitals, clinics and research. Ames and IC themselves have grown similarly in the past 30 years. But the burbs closest to CR have really blown up.
 

OVG will also secure concert and event programming in Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, provide input on the operation and design of the future Sukup Cylo amphitheater and manage event parking services for all Iowa State Center live events.


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All the trees along South 4th south of the bridge are gone. Here’s a view looking North from the Haunted Forest property.

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I could be remembering incorrectly, but pretty sure that might be in relation to a separated bike/ped crossing of the river there. Don't think it has anything to do with CyTown other than a new amenity for non-motorized users.
This is correct.
 
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Goodbye free parking at basketball games.
False, you aren't going to charge for parking when there will be businesses open to the public. OVG is replacing Best, who currently manages the parking for JTS and Hilton. In addition, OVG will take over running concessions at JTS and Hilton, plus they will manage non-ISU events at JTS, Hilton, CY Stephens, and Fischer.

OVG has professionals who are experts at securing and running concerts and other live events, since their staff in DSM at the Iowa Events/Casey's Center does it daily. The ISU Athletics department does not have experience in what it takes to run large-scale music events like Luke Combs, whereas the OVG people do. Additionally, OVG has access to all the major concert promoters, so it's much easier for them to secure concerts than the ISU Athletics department.

Throw in running the boys' state basketball tournament, which is nothing like running the NCAA women's basketball tournament. OVG has been running the state basketball tournaments since moving to Wells Fargo Arena (now Casey's Center), so they are well-versed in what it takes to get people in and out of an arena, what load-in/load-out looks like, etc. Also, OVG has the staff to run all the concessions at Hilton and doesn't rely on students, since they can pull from their Casey's Center staff in DSM. I personally know the OVG Event Manager who managed the girls' state basketball tournament, and she worked 106 hours during the week of the tournament.

This is a smart move by Jamie, recognizing that his staff doesn't have the expertise to do this and contracting with someone who does.
 
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All the trees along South 4th south of the bridge are gone. Here’s a view looking North from the Haunted Forest property.

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I believe they are putting sidewalks on this side of the road. Also adding a pedestrian bridge.

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