CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Is this the thread for people not going on a fabulous trip? Although Sweet Caroline’s and Raygun probably fine for me.
I'll allow it, since we're not going anywhere fancy.
Downtown Ames
- Thread starter ForbinsAscynt
- Start date
I'll allow it, since we're not going anywhere fancy.
Apparently construction could be starting finally this summer
Thank god. That area looks like a bomb went off. Now if the whiny developer that has the open parcel in campustown would finally do something that would be great too.
What I've always thought we be great for the block between Lincoln Way and Chamberlain and Welch and Hayward is if the University purchased the entire block.
On the south half of the block have a large building designed like Friley or a large Dutch urban apartment building. Inside the building would be: Admissions, University Records, Career Centers for each college, Student Health Center, other offices from Beardshear. The north half of the block would be a large plaza with a central fountain or statue.
In addition, maybe turn the Friley turret into a giant cuckoo clock facing the plaza. The Methodist Church stained glass window would be to the west of the plaza. To the east would be the four story Kingland commercial building. The plaza would have a very European feel to it and would become a center piece of the Iowa State Campus. The parking garage on Hayward would be an easy place for perspective student families to park and cross the street to the Admissions office. College recruiters would have an easy place to park.
The current student health building would be given to the College of Engineering. Beardshear Hall could be converted to a general service classroom building. This would help keep more students close to the center of campus for entry level classes. And the Current Admissions (Old Alumni Hall) building could be used for the President's office.
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Ames needs that, they let the downtown area get old for too long and have been slowly improving that. It makes sense to get the Lincolnway portion of downtown moved into the 21st century.
Still have major doubts anything close to the renderings will materialise but anything at this point would be better than an abandoned block on the main street (Lincoln Way) of Ames.
I hate that "things most other college towns do" are deemed "ambitious for Ames." Not criticizing you here, but this seems to be the general tone around here.
It’s the truth. Ames is incredibly provincial and anything deemed slightly out of the ordinary raises the ire of the townies. For gods sakes I’m jealous of Ankeny. Never thought that would happen.
Same developer (or one of them) that is doing the commercial project on Dayton and the Industrial development on East Lincoln Way. He’s got his hands in a few other things as well. I hate that Hunziker and Fredrich have a stranglehold on the town, but there’s definitely enough political capital to get things done.
I read this and laughed and then realized I was the one who said it back in 2022. I didn’t realize this thread was a resurrection
A vision forward for Ames: City mulls makeover of downtown district
Main Street has a vision for growing Downtown Ames. They presented ideas, such as enhanced parks and an entertainment district, to council on Tuesday.
www.amestrib.com
Just give me some encouragement that the Linc will even get started. I'm not worried about too much visioning at this point. Just get that ugly place cleaned up and put something there.
I agree. I feel like getting the Linc started (and finished) will be what starts the domino effect of that corridor starting to spruce up and activate.
I've lived in Ames since '85. Been through the Carr Pool shutdown, the failure of Ames people to approve a new pool, they even voted down a wellness center a couple of times, and the Bucky's grand mall vision along I-35. If and when this Linc Project ever gets off the ground, its going to be the same situation on the thread on the pedestrian bridge on South 4th. A couple of pics showed where people park on the North and South side of Lincolnway during football game days. This project is going to create those same issues on the downtown scene, which is already is lacking parking in downtown.
Then some of those buildings are going to continue to have structural issues. The now Sam's place on mainstreet had some major issues. If you've ever been in Whiskey River, you just think to yourself how is this building still standing. I still think this is a few years off from happening. Just wait until the overpass on Grand needs replaced!!
Then some of those buildings are going to continue to have structural issues. The now Sam's place on mainstreet had some major issues. If you've ever been in Whiskey River, you just think to yourself how is this building still standing. I still think this is a few years off from happening. Just wait until the overpass on Grand needs replaced!!
