What needs changing in Ames first?

[bmuff]

Who is THEY?

If THEY is the City of Ames, THEY can't build a Peoples...

THEY can't force an existing business to do anything, unless they are breaking the law.

I would like to see 1 example of the City trying to prevent new jobs...

You want better traffic, then widen Lincoln way... you see how well the widen Grand Ave. thing is going... I'm sure widening Lincoln way will be real easy...

Sure THEY can't build a new Peoples. But THEY can make it easier for businesses to move to Campustown. And you know that Zmolek would like to get a bar going again in Ames. The city and university have a vested interest in Campustown. THEY need to work to make the area succeed.

Sure, the city wants new jobs. BUT, there are people, including some on the council, who make it MUCH more difficult than it needs to be for businesses to move to town. Those are people who want to keep this "quaint little town" from the 1960's alive today. They need to die off or move on. The reality is, if Ames is going to be a problem for a business, they can easily move to Nevada, Ankeny, Story City or Huxley.

As for the Grand widening, that is one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. If I lived in one of those crappy houses at the corner of a major intersection, and they offered me appraised value for my house, I couldn't get out of there fast enough! Why people would fight to keep a house on 13th and Grand when the city is offering you more than you could ever get on the open market is beyond me. Imagine trying to sell that house...who would want to move there?

 

[HILLCYD]

And you know that Zmolek would like to get a bar going again in Ames.

Tom has his hands MORE than full with the stuff he has going in Des Moines. In the near future I don't think he has too much interest in Ames until he can get everything running smoothly down here.

 

[redrocker]

Oh boy, do I ever agree. There are some places on LW that I still can't tell if they're closed down, or just look like hell.

Are you referring to the building on the west side of Burger King that has the Busted wall that has had caution tape on it for WELL over a year???:wideeyed:

 

[bos]

Is Happy Wok still there? Had a friend who worked there, she always brought us some Chinese when we needed it most. =)

 

[redrocker]

Is Happy Wok still there? Had a friend who worked there, she always brought us some Chinese when we needed it most. =)

Isn't that one of the run down business that we have been talking about (the one next to family video)

 

[mapnerd]

Are you referring to the building on the west side of Burger King that has the Busted wall that has had caution tape on it for WELL over a year???:wideeyed:

They sell Apple computers there. Really old Apple computers.

 

[bos]

Isn't that one of the run down business that we have been talking about (the one next to family video)

Hmmm, maybe. Cant picture it now. It was off of Welch if I remember. Is family video there? Man I need to walk back through there again.

 

[redrocker]

They sell Apple computers there. Really old Apple computers.

It has been vacant for over a year. It's for sale if anyone wants to buy it (instant fixer upper!)

 

[redrocker]

Hmmm, maybe. Cant picture it now. It was off of Welch if I remember. Is family video there? Man I need to walk back through there again.

Yeah the one I am thinking of is the china blossom??? I think. It's a dump no mater what.

 

[bos]

I used to like the May House by HyVee on Lincoln Way. Had great noodle bowls. Last time I was in Ames it wasnt open, hopefully it wasnt a perminent thing.

 

[redrocker]

I used to like the May House by HyVee on Lincoln Way. Had great noodle bowls. Last time I was in Ames it wasnt open, hopefully it wasnt a perminent thing.

That's it May House. I miss chinese food. My wife does not eat it, so I rarely get to go for chinese. Unless it is during the day at work.

 

[bmuff]

Tom has his hands MORE than full with the stuff he has going in Des Moines. In the near future I don't think he has too much interest in Ames until he can get everything running smoothly down here.

Guess I didn't know that. I'd seen where he wanted to get back into Ames. And if they did move the FD, that would be a great place for a new bar/club. I'd hope for Peoples, but anything would be good.

 

[cyputz]

Any more news on the Wal-Greens rumor at Duff and Lincoln Way that I have also been heard floating around?

This would be funny, go from Tip Top to Walgreens, insta-cure.

I did hear Walgreens told the mall, they are out as far as tearing down the Okoboji building and go in there.

Man Okoboji's business hit the jackpot with their move, to the old Indigo Joes/Cafe Northwest.

 

[cyputz]

As for a response to the original post:

Need responsible retail, I live three block from mall, and I am sorry to say, I prefer Des Moines - most any mall.

Overhaul campustown period.

Create laws to force landlords to improve properties, without taking it out on the renters...they gouged them long enough.

Following that, eliminate the continual building of apartment complexes.

Control developers, not saying smart growth, but there is a happy medium.

Get a city council with go-nads, same for the school board. How many consultants must we seek advice from? If you cannot make a decision, get your a?? off the board. How many appeals have we wasted money on now for the Boys basketball coach fiasco?

Balance between smart growth and expansion. It is possible, without lawsuits and drama.

I do not really care about Fort Collins, IC, or anywhere else for that matter, been to them all, plus some...globally. Just have Ames and it's population, be it students, retirees, employers, high/middle/low income ..do not really care, just need to group togeather for once this century.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Get a city council with go-nads, same for the school board. How many consultants must we seek advice from? If you cannot make a decision, get your a?? off the board. How many appeals have we wasted money on now for the Boys basketball coach fiasco?

They go thru as many consultants as it takes for them to get the answer they want to hear - Change is bad, progress is bad, Ames needs to be left the way it is or they are headed straight for the toilet.