^ never happened sorry. In fact, it was that council that was voted in by the "no new mall" that approved the zoning change and the final development agreement.
North Grand Mall
- Thread starter cyclone87
- Start date
GOOD GOD !!! That place is still open ????EXCEPT for the "Hallway" double bubble" happy hour that place had tumbleweeds rolling through it in the early-mid 80's !!! 
Lifelong (nearly) Ames resident here and I think NG Mall makes South Ridge in DSM look like a thriving shopping destination.
I hope they're able to turn it around; Ames is too big to not have a "decent" shopping mall (whatever that is).
I hope they're able to turn it around; Ames is too big to not have a "decent" shopping mall (whatever that is).
Not how I remember it. The city was moving along with the new mall when the town idiots threw a fit and then elected 4 "Smart Growth" candidates to the council...from what I remember, Dan Rice, Jim Popken and a couple more. That council made unrealistic demands on the developer and drew out the process at least two years. When the majority had had enough, they voted out most of those members and voted in pro-growth people like Jamie Larson. The council gave the green light to the mall, but by then the economy tanked and the developer went bankrupt.
Thing is, the developer was footing the entire bill and if they'd only have let him move forward, the place would have been built even if Bucky DID go bankrupt. Someone else would have bought the property and there'd be a new mall on I35...as well as big box stores and restaurants. I know for sure that Dillards was set to move in. Sure, North Grand would have died, but it's dying anyway. Of course, the anti-growth people use the developer's bankruptcy as "proof" that they were right and the whole thing was doomed to fail.
Don't get me started on the Main Street townies who fight every single change tooth and nail. The whole Carr Pool thing was ridiculous. To think that Nevada had a better pool than Ames is just unreal...yet here they were wanting to keep some old concrete hole built in the 50's over something new. I will say that Duff has improved by leaps and bounds over the last 5 years.
The "Smart Growth" council was Rice, Popkin, Goodman, Mahayni, Larson and Doll. Rice, Popkin, Goodman and Doll were the ones voted in 2005, and the final site plan of the mall was approved sometime in the fall of 2007. The issue was deadlocked for sometime with Rice, Popkin and Goodman not in favor. If I remember right, Goodman changed his view after the developer added a trail system to the development that would interconnect with the city's current trail system.
http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/article_1078c0a7-4c01-54fc-8d6f-e45d80def8e4.html
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I really hope the new stores coming in (TJ Maxx/Kohls) are a spark to the area. It looks better already since bulldozing the south end.
With project enrollment continuing to rise (possible 3,000-4000 more overall in the next 4-5 years), the city has the population to sustain a mall....I just think so many folks are still living 10 years ago in the "battle" of new mall/old mall. Yes, Ankeny/Des Moines may have more to offer, but it doesn't mean Ames can't get a "good enough" type of place to meet basic needs....and we (Ames residents, students) need to shop there.
With project enrollment continuing to rise (possible 3,000-4000 more overall in the next 4-5 years), the city has the population to sustain a mall....I just think so many folks are still living 10 years ago in the "battle" of new mall/old mall. Yes, Ankeny/Des Moines may have more to offer, but it doesn't mean Ames can't get a "good enough" type of place to meet basic needs....and we (Ames residents, students) need to shop there.
South Ridge is going through a large renovation project. NG not so much, wish it would or just go away.
This, nothing is going to get better if Ames residents and students don't buy in and shop here in Ames. Send a message to retailers who are looking at coming to Ames.
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With already limited ammenities and things to do in the summer for college students, this mall is a big recruiting detriment to ISU athletics. It's a disaster in Ames.
The tweed jacket retirees from Ames and the anti-development clan would rather see Ankeny an other cities pass Ames in every category of commerce and entertainment
I don't know about "big" recruiting detriment. I'm sure recruits wouldn't mind having more options around town, including shopping, but the metro is 35 minutes away. I don't think the first priority in most recruits' mind is how the clothing shopping is in town.
I totally agree. Hopefully they keep recruits busy enough during visits that they don't notice - I just don't think it would be a huge detriment if they did.
Janny nailed it. Merle Hay, Valley West and Jordan Creek appreciate that NG didn't do ANYTHING.
I visit Jordan Creek more than I visit North Grand and my girlfriend lives in Somerset.
New ISD article that sort of pertains to this discussion, on economic/business development in Ames.
Link: New businesses build change in Ames - Iowa State Daily: News
Link: New businesses build change in Ames - Iowa State Daily: News
I knew there was quite a bit going on but didn't know there was this much. I would guess the hospital expansion, ABE complex, Webfillings expansion, football facility, athletic complex, golf facility, development at mall, and new car dealership are the big projects helping to make up this total.
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I visit NG Mall and the outlet mall in Story City. Never been to Jordan Creek.
The 13th St location would've been a disaster, location and infrastructure-wise. Even the jimmied economic numbers couldn't show it'd work.
Y'all are looking back with rose-colored glasses and/or blinders.
The 13th St location would've been a disaster, location and infrastructure-wise. Even the jimmied economic numbers couldn't show it'd work.
Y'all are looking back with rose-colored glasses and/or blinders.
Also, South Duff (aka Ankeny Wannabe) looks like ***. And it's hell to get through or into many businesses.