Downtown Ames
- Thread starter ForbinsAscynt
- Start date
It keeps getting g better, but is still a significant step behind something like Cedar Falls. Probably Iowa City too, but they have the advantage of having the campus integrated with their downtown.
The problem is Lincoln Way to Main is sort of the front door to downtown and it’s trash. Once this project gets done it will address the major problem with downtown.
But let’s be honest, there’s a big portion of Iowans that think Waukee and Ankeny are the ideal, so I’m not sure an Old Downtown will ever appeal to those people.
The problem is Lincoln Way to Main is sort of the front door to downtown and it’s trash. Once this project gets done it will address the major problem with downtown.
But let’s be honest, there’s a big portion of Iowans that think Waukee and Ankeny are the ideal, so I’m not sure an Old Downtown will ever appeal to those people.
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Downtown Ames was stagnant throughout the 70's and 80's. When I come into town for a game I try to take a drive through Main Street to see what has changed. Many of the building fronts need an update at the vey least.
Sorry, that’s what I meant to say. It started saying not separated. Yes, it is very integrated which is the advantage.
Advantage for the city, disadvantage for the University, IMO. Been to IC a couple times and found the whole this a basic clusterF. The University and city mixed together I don't care for.
Cedar Falls is set up very similar to Ames but has a much better downtown area.
College Hill = Welch Ave
University Ave CF = Duff Ave Ames
Downtown = Downtown
your standards must be VERY high if Aunt Maude's isn't worth your time.
In some ways it is nice as a student. There’s more to access in a concentrated area vs our campus town. I do not like UIs campus setup, but there are some advantages to having the one condensed downtown.
I think when it’s all said and done with Ames downtown and campus town development we can have the best of both worlds.
I would prefer two distinct areas like Ames, but it’s hard to make two great downtown areas for a town this size.
Cornbred is legit outstanding BBQ. And they have a great set of handles for craft beer.
Cedar Falls is a good comparison. I love downtown CF, but much of the advantage it has on Ames is being the entertainment district for a metro over twice Ames’ size. The quality of the establishments and overall vibe is very similar, downtown Cedar Falls is just bigger/has more of it. My wife is a UNI alum, so we visit regularly.
The Hill makes Campustown look diversified and large too. We went to a UNI basketball a couple years ago, and I would take the Campustown slate over the Hill every day. Outside of the OP and that tiny beer bar close to Great Wall, there’s nothing for me there.
The OP on the hill shut down. It's on main st now and is really nice inside. They put some money into it.
Ames has a great downtown. I have yet to find a jewelry store that compares to Ames Silversmithing.
Agree. I think it would be the best of both worlds if Main street of Ames was in the area of Campus Avenue or so. A couple blocks off so students could wander there without vehicles and others could venture onto campus to just look around if they so chose to. IC's is hard to know if its some campus building or a local business at times.
Been to most of them, even Mason City's when they would cram 500 into a 300 person venue (not try to imagine why it was closed down) and I will say for food, Clear Lake's is the best of them. Ames was the worst.
