Welch Ave trees

Not going to be a popular take but Welch ave is sentimental to you because that's where you cut your teeth but it really is a crappy campustown .
I don't think that's as hot of a take as you assume. I think we all understand it has its issues.
 
I frequented Welch often in the 80s so it definitely feels sterile now vs back then, but be careful what you wish for. Improving campus town would like turn it "gentrified", more cookie cutter and expensive.
 
The bottom line is Campustown is in a poor location ever since new 30 was built. If you visit places like Lawrence, Manhattan, or Champaign, the campustown is closer to the major highways and on the way to the sports facilities and central campus. This makes them a nice road trip stop to eat or stay in a hotel. There's usually a nice continuum of restaurants/hotels giving way to bars.

Campustown and downtown in Ames made sense when people travelled on Lincoln Way. Welch Ave has to try to survive on almost only late night student traffic.
 
I frequented Welch often in the 80s so it definitely feels sterile now vs back then, but be careful what you wish for. Improving campus town would like turn it "gentrified", more cookie cutter and expensive.
Gentrified would be preferable to dumpy.
 
  • Agree
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