Agreed. Hell, for the large amount of population in west ames now, it would be quicker to jump on 30 at south dakota and go up I-35 to where that mall wouldve been than to get to NGM. And who knows. With good development maybe you wouldve seen a new area of town spring up around that mall like you've seen with jordan creek in WDM (there was nothing but cornfields within a couple miles of JCTC when it was built)
North Grand Mall
- Thread starter cyclone87
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Agreed. Hell, for the large amount of population in west ames now, it would be quicker to jump on 30 at south dakota and go up I-35 to where that mall wouldve been than to get to NGM. And who knows. With good development maybe you wouldve seen a new area of town spring up around that mall like you've seen with jordan creek in WDM (there was nothing but cornfields within a couple miles of JCTC when it was built)
True, the only saving grace for the mall may be the continued housing development on that side of town and the fact that ISU is continuing to increase enrolment (31,000+ this coming year) and is hiring more faculty/staff (and is doing quite well s I saw there was a 20 million dollar increase in external funding last year)
I do think there will eventually be some type of shopping center out along the interstate, Ames has recently been focusing on its visibility from I-35 hence the Southeast entryway project and the push for development down along south Dayton/S 16th.
Not to rain on your parade.
1% Sales Tax money is now shared at the state level equally, (State Penny). Only thing ACSD would miss out on is Property Taxes on a comercial site. That being said the Buckey Mall wasn't in ACSD district and would have generated zero direct money for the district.
The city signed off (eventually) then there was an election and the new city council went back on the previous city council's commitments. Really an extremely short sighted move on the City officials part.
It has never taken me that long to drive that route.
Ames traffic is bad, until you move almost anywhere else.
For the size of town Ames is, it is absolutely horrible to drive across. A lot of arterial roads have stoplights (untimed) every fifty feet and crazy low speed limits. (25MPH on State? Really? Did anyone let the city know that the middle school closed over five years ago?). I live on the west side and it literally takes me the same amount of time to get to the mall as it does to get to Ankeny. Even the time it takes getting to Walmart/Target in Ames seems hardly worth it.
Oh, and I dare anyone to turn left out of Cold Stone Creamery onto Duff pretty much any time of day, what do we have against frontage roads in this town?
Agree with you here, something needs to be done with traffic on South Duff, although I suppose the Grand extension will alleviate some problems.
From the west side, North Dakota to Ontario to 24th is less than a 10 minute drive. From way out west, the county road on the Story/Boone county line to Cameron School Road to Bloomington takes about 12 minutes.
And 25 on State is ridiculous but I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that a lot of student foot traffic takes that back path from near the old middle school to the new middle school that Run for the Roses uses.
Forgot about that. This could also be something that could work in the mall's favor.
I can't remember the full details but isn't Grand going to be going all the way to 30 when it's done?
Not quite. S. 16th where Coldwater Golf Course and the new apartment complex is.
Unfortunately it's been put off a couple more years I think because of funding issues.
I thought it was to SE 16th? and that'll be just a grand ole mess when that project comes around. They need to get the area by Vet Med to 4 lanes.
This is never less than a twenty minute drive for me. I must be doing something wrong.