I'm well aware that it's expensive. If they were serious about converting the area into a ped mall, it would be a multi-million dollar project to clean it up, add retail and restaurant/bar options, add apartments, etc. If you're already repurposing, rebuilding, and building new, the FD could be part of that. Obviously it's not going to happen overnight, if at all. But it's kinda fun and interesting to discuss options, as far out as they may seem at times.
Campustown Redevelopment
- Thread starter Haverhill
- Start date
I'm well aware that it's expensive. If they were serious about converting the area into a ped mall, it would be a multi-million dollar project to clean it up, add retail and restaurant/bar options, add apartments, etc. If you're already repurposing, rebuilding, and building new, the FD could be part of that. Obviously it's not going to happen overnight, if at all. But it's kinda fun and interesting to discuss options, as far out as they may seem at times.
I think the main thing standing in the way of moving to a more pedestrian friendly environment (aside from the FD) is that a few of the business owners down there are scared of losing parking for their customers. I think it is short sighted to worry about a few parking spaces and the area would be much better utilized if it was a better pedestrian oriented environment. The density is there now to make it work imo.
Or just make a ped mall up to the fire station, and force the firetrucks to use Chamberlain to get to Stanton or Hayward, than onto Lincoln Way.
Usually ped malls hurt business when people have no place to park. There is now such a high concentration of apartments in that area, they would probably be fine.
I think they actually need some more bars as with the enrollment they are pretty crowded Thursday-Saturday night. Assuming the problem is supporting those businesses other times, although if they have food, seems like they would be ok.
Feels like Ames could use a good north-south artery west of campus. Obviously Welch was never going to work for that.
I think they actually need some more bars as with the enrollment they are pretty crowded Thursday-Saturday night. Assuming the problem is supporting those businesses other times, although if they have food, seems like they would be ok.
Feels like Ames could use a good north-south artery west of campus. Obviously Welch was never going to work for that.
Get rid of parking and close it to private vehicles, could still allow CyRide, police, and FD to access. Denver's 16th street would be a good example.
Finding a way to punch Hyland or Sheldon south to Highway 30, with a new exit, would do wonders for West Campus traffic.
I think another idea would be to really focus on both sides of chamberlain from hyland to lynn street. In my opinion that east to west road should be the street that gets built up, designed, and lined with small businesses and density. Maybe I'll play around and play urban designer in sketch up when I get some free time.
I agree with you. I think that four block area of campustown needs to be built up. I think some of this is already happening, especially now that the gas station will be replaced by an apartment building with retail on the bottom floor, I think.
I am all for the ped-mall idea but placing that above response time to a fire or life-threatening situation seems kinda silly.
They should move that fire station to the corner of hayward and Lincoln way (site of drive through us bank)
The south side of Chamberlain from Welch to Stanton is the worst. Should be completely redeveloped.
Does anybody know what is going up at the end of stange? Basically right across from fareway. I think a church maybe because there is 3 temporary crosses in a dirt mound by the construction.
Update on the 2700 block (south side) of Lincoln Way. Last page shows a proposed ground floor layout. Several floors of apartments above.
http://cityofames.org/home/showdocument?id=27914
http://cityofames.org/home/showdocument?id=27914
Let's make it happen. I'm exited to see how campus town is looking in 10 years.
