JTS Improvements - Want More

Honestly and not trying to be mean, but those obsessing over parking are living in the past. I'm half expecting some of you to couple your parking expansion plans with suggestions of building an adjacent enclosed shopping mall anchored by Sears and JC Penny's to help support the project....with a Blockbuster Video and Chi Chi's on the outlets.
 
Honestly and not trying to be mean, but those obsessing over parking are living in the past. I'm half expecting some of you to couple your parking expansion plans with suggestions of building an adjacent enclosed shopping mall anchored by Sears and JC Penny's to help support the project....with a Blockbuster Video and Chi Chi's on the outlets.
Yes, you are. But it is nothing new, we've come to expect it.
 
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I would be interested in the economics of adding a parking garage either at Hilton/Scheman or at the stadium.

At Hilton/Scheman: It would take care of a lot of the problems with event conflict (All State Music, anyone?) on game days. It would also be premium parking for basketball as we all know there is virtually no tailgating during basketball seasons and terrible Iowa winter weather. This parking garage could also have it's own access directly to Lincoln Way creating another way to clear out some of the post game traffic for football and basketball alike.

At the stadium: It seems to me that there are a lot of people who park on game day and either tailgate with others at another vehicle or arrive at game time and don't tailgate at all. Having premium parking at the stadium gate that you can get to even if you arrive 20 minutes before game time (don't have to dodge tailgates set up) or could get directly into the stadium without having to walk a fair distance outside might be an attractive option especially for some older/mobility impaired fans. Getting high density close to the stadium might free up more of the higher donation parking closer to the stadium.

The question remains, does either offer enough of a premium that you could charge enough to make even a short parking structure economically feasible.
This is what I was thinking too, there are just as many people that don't tailgate or park and tailgate in another spot that do, so a ramp is perfect for that. Finding a suitable parking ramp location that gives good access to the venues, but also doesn't take up too much other space and frees up more premium tailgating areas for possible expansion of RV spots and higher donor spots. This could also be used as a staff parking lot during regular hours, or commuter lot, or be a joint venture like the one near campus town to generate income to offset the cost.

While it is not absolutely necessary, there probably is some call for it, some call for more donor parking and other parking especially when it is wet. I'm sure it is not a high priority though, If the demand gets high enough they may do something. But It may be to ad some pavement in some grass areas first or add shuttles from other areas.

I can tell you there are about 10 other projects around the athletic facilities that I hope they worry about before they consider worrying about parking, at least on the kind of level we are talking here.
 
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"Parking is horrible." Hard to imagine anyone ever saying that about Jack Trice Stadium. Perhaps when we add a third upper deck and another 50,000 seats! Until then, I think our parking will be sufficient . . . and fabulous.

I've been to 33 different stadiums now and ISU has without a doubt the best setup of those that I've been to as far as parking and tailgating goes. Even if we added on we'd still be the best as far as I'm concerned in comparison to the other 32 I've seen.
 
I've been to 33 different stadiums now and ISU has without a doubt the best setup of those that I've been to as far as parking and tailgating goes. Even if we added on we'd still be the best as far as I'm concerned in comparison to the other 32 I've seen.
Arrowhead/Kauffmann is better IMO. I can't count how many other venues I've been to but that's the only one that jumps out as better.
 
Arrowhead/Kauffmann is better IMO. I can't count how many other venues I've been to but that's the only one that jumps out as better.

Yeah I can see how that would be awesome. Been to some Royals games and they have plenty of parking. Same goes for Lambeau. I was talking strictly college stadiums in my comment.
 
Here is a rendering of what the new intramural fields will look like:

TQYR.jpg


So, taking over those fields for parking is definitely out. Current G6 will be gone, but there's a new lot in the middle of those fields that is much larger than G6 is now. I could see them paving that whole lot or even making a big portion of it RV parking with electrical. Looking at the plans, there is space available for a pedestrian bridge, and I've heard that it would go all the way to the top of the stadium stairs, which would ease any safety concerns because it would be super easy to just walk right across University, over the tailgating lot and into the stadium. Of course, there would need to be an upper gate for scanning tickets. Honestly, I think that's an awesome idea. And expanded "G6" would add quite a bit of parking.
 
Here is a rendering of what the new intramural fields will look like:

TQYR.jpg


So, taking over those fields for parking is definitely out. Current G6 will be gone, but there's a new lot in the middle of those fields that is much larger than G6 is now. I could see them paving that whole lot or even making a big portion of it RV parking with electrical. Looking at the plans, there is space available for a pedestrian bridge, and I've heard that it would go all the way to the top of the stadium stairs, which would ease any safety concerns because it would be super easy to just walk right across University, over the tailgating lot and into the stadium. Of course, there would need to be an upper gate for scanning tickets. Honestly, I think that's an awesome idea. And expanded "G6" would add quite a bit of parking.
That looks nice. I do agree I don't think the Intramural fields are probably going anywhere anytime soon. I think there are too many other areas of potential expansion for adding capacity, adding paved parking, or least likely a ramp, near hilton. There are definitely some areas I could see them taking and moving lower level donors to, and upgrading other areas for RVs or other high paying donor spots.
I think they will want to maintain a level of green space but also increase functionality where possible.
 
Parking and press boxes, man people love to spend OPM. If you want to improve the game day experience, lower concession prices and get them competently staffed and organized so they don't run out of selections so early. Actually you probably don't need to lower the prices if you could just have competent staffing and supplying.
 
There is a reason that Cross Country is a separate event from Track. Running on terrain is what it is about. If you make half of the course flat you are removing a big part of what makes it cross country and makes this one of the best Cross Country specific courses in the country. And as someone who has run on that course and biked on the trail along Mortenson the stretch west of the starting line is far from flat, just as it should be. It isn't even close to suited for soccer fields.

Look at the google map I provided earlier, the start/finish line is shown, the runners start to the west, crossing fairly flat land and then turn north. Does it really matter that the start of the race would be running through a soccer field or two? Not that I can see, it really does not matter the university has already starting moving dirt to make 3 new softball fields east of the stadium. To bad, that would have been great parking for football games.
 
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This isn't 1995. Parking is no longer considered "development". At best it is necessary evil that under-utilizes a very valuable resource - land. At worse it is an environmental headache and a drain on municipal resources due to the infrastructure a city has to maintain to service a parking lot without any corresponding substantial associated property taxes coming in to support said infrastructure (streets, curbs, sewer, etc).

The city of Ames would not be maintaining it the university would be, and it cost a lot less to blade a parking lot than mowing soccer fields all summer long. What property taxes will those soccer fields be paying to the city of Ames?
 
Look at the google map I provided earlier, the start/finish line is shown, the runners start to the west, crossing fairly flat land and then turn north. Does it really matter that the start of the race would be running through a soccer field or two? Not that I can see, it really does not matter the university has already starting moving dirt to make 3 new softball fields east of the stadium. To bad, that would have been great parking for football games.
That land is not flat. Try riding a bike on that bike trail along Mortenson. It falls away to what I'm sure was a small creek at one time and it takes quite a bit of effort to climb back out of it. It is not flat at all.
 
This isn't 1995. Parking is no longer considered "development". At best it is necessary evil that under-utilizes a very valuable resource - land. At worse it is an environmental headache and a drain on municipal resources due to the infrastructure a city has to maintain to service a parking lot without any corresponding substantial associated property taxes coming in to support said infrastructure (streets, curbs, sewer, etc).

The city of Ames would not be maintaining it the university would be, and it cost a lot less to blade a parking lot than mowing soccer fields all summer long. What property taxes will those soccer fields be paying to the city of Ames?
That land is not flat. Try riding a bike on that bike trail along Mortenson. It falls away to what I'm sure was a small creek at one time and it takes quite a bit of effort to climb back out of it. It is not flat at all.

Correct, along the bike trail to the North, but I was only taking about to the West of start/finish line for CC, until it hits Mortenson. That area is flat, and would have been perfect with a little earthwork to play soccer on.
 
The city of Ames would not be maintaining it the university would be, and it cost a lot less to blade a parking lot than mowing soccer fields all summer long. What property taxes will those soccer fields be paying to the city of Ames?


Correct, along the bike trail to the North, but I was only taking about to the West of start/finish line for CC, until it hits Mortenson. That area is flat, and would have been perfect with a little earthwork to play soccer on.
Just stop. You don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about.

#1 Rec Services and athletics aren't going to share land so your idea doesn't work.

#2 I ran on the course for the 2006 Senior All Star meet. It's rolling all along Mortensen. The finish is all uphill. So no, the area is not "flat".

#3 There need to be 10 fields, parking, and storage. So this idea there would only be a field or two is flat out wrong.
 
Just stop. You don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about.

#1 Rec Services and athletics aren't going to share land so your idea doesn't work.

#2 I ran on the course for the 2006 Senior All Star meet. It's rolling all along Mortensen. The finish is all uphill. So no, the area is not "flat".

#3 There need to be 10 fields, parking, and storage. So this idea there would only be a field or two is flat out wrong.
It is not flat. Also from Google Maps:

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.011...4!1sx3OgvCwlVJj0rSwL2wsIQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.011...4!1s4I6fV82caaT3ma6oNwVAFg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.011...4!1sdCwp6DLlvqCy7bsVHkPuuQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
 
This battle was over before it started, the work has already begin east of University. Ok, now in five years, when we people are complaining about the lack of parking at JTS, I expect the three of you, to come on here and explain to the rest of us why those soccer fields were needed in that location, instead of out by the Towers. That is all I have ever said. What could be a win for both sides, will do nothing but cause problems for the people that attend football games in the future.

The decision has been made, now we all have to live with it. I also only count 9 soccer fields in the plans, maybe you guys should get ahold of rec. services and remind them of the need for 10, because they are one short.

Have a great day and a better week.
 
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This battle was over before it started, the work has already begin east of University. Ok, now in five years, when we people are complaining about the lack of parking at JTS, I expect the three of you, to come on here and explain to the rest of us why those soccer fields were needed in that location, instead of out by the Towers. That is all I have ever said. What could be a win for both sides, will do nothing but cause problems for the people that attend football games in the future.

The decision has been made, now we all have to live with it.
Go home, you're drunk.
 
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