Cytown Update

cyclonemarc

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Mar 3, 2013
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This can't be talked about enough. Jethro's food was okay, but not great.

But a lot of people (young women and people who respect them especially) stopped eating Jethro's because of the owner's gross touching (as he is very old) and creepy interactions with all of the young female hostesses & servers (and we aren't talking just 1 or 2 young women experiencing it either.)

I'm sure some people stopped eating at Jehtros because of his very loud political views and that's certainly his freedom and choice too, but clearly he is a man who enjoys a predatory/patriarchal society.

I personally went to a Christmas party at Splash (Jethro's owner also owns that too) as I used to date a former manager of some of his locations. Her and I both witnessed him drunk and being all over the young women per usual. My ex's job that night (bless her for this) was basically to protect her young female coworkers and pull them away from him when he got even more touchy-feely than usual. He also gave my ex a cutesy girly nickname she didn't ask for or want, but he was the boss so she just rolled with it.

I choose not to eat there, there are so many better restaurants in DSM area. Obviously it's anyone's choice - eat wherever you want people. Just please don't let your daughters work at Jethro's or Splash.
I have heard those same stories. I refuse to eat there.
 

MJ271

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True but the BOR doc has enough detail that @cyfan92 point is true. The AD supplied numbers that are tipping off the plans to scale back the project. Looking at the BOR doc, the sq ft of retail/restaurant space isn't going to make any general fan happy. Only the large donors are going to benefit from CyTown.
Do you have any of the numbers that are "tipping off the plans to scale back the project?" The only comparable number I'm seeing from earlier announcements to now is that originally, the plan was for 20 residential units, and now it's 60--an increase rather than scaling back. It's true that those will benefit large donors more than the general fan, but that also means more money that can improve the general fan experience at the amphitheater and outdoor spaces.

To my knowledge, we don't have any details on how the potential retail/restaurant space has changed from the project's conception to now, other than people reading far too much into a BOR photo that doesn't have any detail. People might very well end up disappointed, but I think a fair amount of that disappointment is premature and/or based on projecting their own wishes onto conceptual renderings.
 

ZJohnson

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True but the BOR doc has enough detail that @cyfan92 point is true. The AD supplied numbers that are tipping off the plans to scale back the project. Looking at the BOR doc, the sq ft of retail/restaurant space isn't going to make any general fan happy. Only the large donors are going to benefit from CyTown.
I'm sorry, what???
 

2speedy1

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Jan 4, 2014
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So is this thread now about Jethros complaints?

I got crap for posting off topic, on a post, but at least was topic adjacent. How is Jethros complaining even in the same ballpark.

Really seems like Jethros discussion should be in another thread not here.
 
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cycloneG

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Mar 7, 2007
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So is this thread now about Jethros complaints?

I got crap for posting off topic, on a post, but at least was topic adjacent. How is Jethros complaining even in the same ballpark.

Really seems like Jethros discussion should be in another thread not here.

The Jethro's complaints are fine but the complaints about the Jethro's complaints are a step too far!
 

Nor'MidWester

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Sep 25, 2016
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Because the final product always matches the concept drawing.

View attachment 142557

View attachment 142559
Got dayum I forgot about these pictures. This is like Iowa State Center utopian ideal. Besides that Hilton, I like the real one more.

The way each section in the upper deck of JTS is a separate floating deck is so sick. Not practical at all but sick.

Imagine the forum if we had that press box. I didn't even notice it at first. Beautiful.
 

Cycsk

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Got dayum I forgot about these pictures. This is like Iowa State Center utopian ideal. Besides that Hilton, I like the real one more.

The way each section in the upper deck of JTS is a separate floating deck is so sick. Not practical at all but sick.

Imagine the forum if we had that press box. I didn't even notice it at first. Beautiful.


Haha. Indeed, we would have even more griping about the press box.
 

fanaticagain

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Jun 6, 2009
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So there is a graphical billboard at the corner of University and S 4th, that depicts what they hope to build, if you look closely the clinic is not where they intend to build it now, as it has a Jack Trice Way street address. Hope this helps.
This is the concept rendering that's on the billboard at University & South 4th. The clinic is included.
 

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k123

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Sep 14, 2011
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We all need to prepare to be let down by the original concept art.. It's not going to be anything close to that... This has been scaled back given the massive challenges with new construction real estate.

I agree with @cyfan92 . It doesn't make one a pessimistic doomer to see it. It will be cool 3 evenings per year. The rest of the time an awkward "Why is this here?" ghost town. Of course the renderings always have better/ideal lighting, etc., but the updated renderings are always a clue too. It was never going to be a cozy college town ped mall, weathered over the years from a bunch of old buildings and brick. But with each update the windows get smaller, trim is removed, materials get cheaper, everything becomes a shade of winter-salt gray concrete based on tilt-up walls and randomly located flat windows, landscaping reduced to some sad "street trees" that will be replaced on warranty 3 times in first 7 years before the tree grate just gets paved over...

It is going to feel like a cross between 'new' DMCACC buildings - e.g. the blander parts of the Ankeny Trail Point student center/rec center and the automotive center - and the Kingland monstrosity of Lincoln Way...

Prepare to be let down, then you can only be pleasantly surprised. #RealityBites! Gird your loins for disappointment!

(...some may say that is exactly what they've been imagining from the renderings - hats off to them, but I think most have higher expectations and should be prepared)

12/2023
Iowa State University plans to build 'CYTown' | who13.com

DMACC Ankeny Automotive Technology Center
DMACC opens new Automotive Center – The Campus Chronicle

DMACC Ankeny Trail Point Rec Center
TRAIL POINT AQUATICS AND WELLNESS - Updated January 2025 - 2006 S Ankeny  Blvd, Ankeny, Iowa - Recreation Centers - Phone Number - Yelp

Kingland Lincoln Way & Welch
Ames – Iowa Community Development



2019 fly though (along Univ Blvd)

2022 fly through (current N/S axis)
 
Last edited:

theshadow

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Apr 19, 2006
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other than people reading far too much into a BOR photo that doesn't have any detail. People might very well end up disappointed, but I think a fair amount of that disappointment is premature and/or based on projecting their own wishes onto conceptual renderings.

The people who are going to be the most disappointed are the ones who made wild assumptions of what they thought it would be, but never paid attention to what was actually detailed.
 

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