Was it the city that screwed up or more that Bucky didn't have the capital to go through with it (can't remember)?
North Grand Mall
- Thread starter cyclone87
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Was it the city that screwed up or more that Bucky didn't have the capital to go through with it (can't remember)?
I think (and I may be wrong), that the city wouldn't sign off until Bucky got some store commitments, and Bucky couldn't get any signed store commitments because he couldn't get a commitment from the city...
I always thought that it was the city wouldn't annex and rezone that area, but I may be wrong.
I think it is annexed and zoned commercial, some new development company just bought it last year if I'm not mistaken?
edit: yep here is a story: http://amesnewsonline.com/category/news/business/ames-officials-anticipate-activity-e-13th-i-35-year
The mall out on 13th St was actually fully approved by the City of Ames. The problem is it took them so long that by the time it was finally approved the economy tanked and the land eventually got fore closed on. I could be wrong, but I think Elwell owns it now?
The thing is, if you live west of the West Ames Hy-Vee, you can get to Boone faster than you can get to North Grand.
There is no easy way to get from one side of Ames to the other.
Never knew it got fully approved finally. I just knew it was the city dragging their feet that was the major hold up.
Based on 87's story this looks to be right.
It's sad how far the "smart growth" group set back Ames.
City of Ames has some stupid people that can't let go of the past, whether it is tradition to them or whatnot.
1) Keep Carr Pool open and screw the new pool. Seriously, idiots? People have pools in their backyard bigger than Carr Pool with bigger slides.
2) Reopen Roosevelt elementary school. Seriously, idiots? The school is not only flooded and moldy, but it isn't even updated. It would be cheaper to build a new school with updated EVERYTHING.
3) NO NEW MALL!!! Seriously, idiots? Look what you've done to Ames?
Finally, the idiots are being ignored. South Duff is FINALLY starting to not look like a complete dump (How sad is it that a Super Walmart is what made South Duff look better) and now we have B-Dubs, Texas Roadhouse, Aspen Leaf...South Duff is just so much better than it was even three years ago.
1) Keep Carr Pool open and screw the new pool. Seriously, idiots? People have pools in their backyard bigger than Carr Pool with bigger slides.
2) Reopen Roosevelt elementary school. Seriously, idiots? The school is not only flooded and moldy, but it isn't even updated. It would be cheaper to build a new school with updated EVERYTHING.
3) NO NEW MALL!!! Seriously, idiots? Look what you've done to Ames?
Finally, the idiots are being ignored. South Duff is FINALLY starting to not look like a complete dump (How sad is it that a Super Walmart is what made South Duff look better) and now we have B-Dubs, Texas Roadhouse, Aspen Leaf...South Duff is just so much better than it was even three years ago.
Duff looks 10x better now than it did when I started at Iowa State in the fall of 2007. The flood was the best thing that could've happened for South Duff.
Here's my North Grand updates that I haven't seen posted on here yet. Good news and bad news.
Good news: Rumor is out there that Dicks has looked at buying the lot that Sears was in. That would be pretty nice to have.
Bad news: Victorias Secret is rumored to be going out of business.
Good news: Rumor is out there that Dicks has looked at buying the lot that Sears was in. That would be pretty nice to have.
Bad news: Victorias Secret is rumored to be going out of business.
Ames sits between a rock and a hard place when it comes to big-box commercial development. NGM doesn't work because it's located in an extreme of the City, while the 13th street exit area, where the new mall was supposed to go, IMO, is even worse. There needs to be a larger population base by the interstate for anything large-scale to be feasible; otherwise, you only cater to interstate traffic and money either stays out of, or leaves the city.
I've always thought Jax has a pretty decent selection, just not for football and basketball equipment.
That has also been in discussion with the "remodeled" mall. I'm not sure where discussions have gone, I just know that it has been brought up.
Haven't had a "slam Ames" thread in a while I guess. I'm not defending the city or the mall management, but after all this time, I'm just happy that something is actually getting done. I saw yesterday he bid date for the Kohls building is coming up.
Regarding the other mall proposal, the developer ran into all sorts of foreclosure and default issues, not just for the land in Ames but for property that had already been developed. It probably worked out in the long run that his project didn't get off the ground. Not to mention the economy went in the ******* around the time ground would've broken anyway.
Regarding the other mall proposal, the developer ran into all sorts of foreclosure and default issues, not just for the land in Ames but for property that had already been developed. It probably worked out in the long run that his project didn't get off the ground. Not to mention the economy went in the ******* around the time ground would've broken anyway.
****'s Sporting Goods would be awesome but I have to imagine it'd be tough to stay open because of again, location. Unfortunately it's no cheaper than going to Sports Page but it would probably drive the Sports Page out of business.
Victoria's Secret going out of business wouldn't surprise me for a second. Not enough reasons to go to the mall so women either order what they already have online or wait until they go to Jordan Creek or another decent mall. That and having American Eagle and (formerly) Aeropostale nearby competing for the same small market probably didn't help, especially when a large segment of said market is away from Ames for 4 months each year.
Victoria's Secret going out of business wouldn't surprise me for a second. Not enough reasons to go to the mall so women either order what they already have online or wait until they go to Jordan Creek or another decent mall. That and having American Eagle and (formerly) Aeropostale nearby competing for the same small market probably didn't help, especially when a large segment of said market is away from Ames for 4 months each year.