North Grand Mall

[Mr Janny]

If they had a nice big mall they could have just torn NGM down for all it mattered.

This. A big mall on 13th street would eliminate the need for a crappy mall on Grand with its terrible location that is convenient for about 1/4 of the city.

[CysRage]

I haven't stepped foot in the mall ever since they removed the water fountain in it

[IcSyU]

I don't even understand how some stores in the mall stay open. Strawberry Patch has a TON of merchandise, but it's all dirt cheap and there's never anyone in there. The Sports Page is a huge ripoff for everything. Aeropostale finally folded up shop.

[FarminCy]

This. A big mall on 13th street would eliminate the need for a crappy mall on Grand with its terrible location that is convenient for about 1/4 of the city.

Exactly. It would be easy for almost everyone in Ames to get to let alone how easy it would be for surrounding towns and counties. The city screwed up big time letting that one get away. People who come into town for games don't go to the NG Mall, but they would have stopped at a facility like that if the stores that were rumored coming would have been there.

Does anyone know if it was going to be an outdoor mall? For some reason I keep thinking it was supposed to be like a Jordan Creek Town Center. All the stores connected but they opened up to sidewalks outside instead of inside a mall. I could be wrong though.

[brianhos]

I used to work int he mall office, probably... crap, 12 years ago, as an intern. Even then, leasing stores was a lot of work. They've got a big market down at Jordan Creek to compete with, and internet shopping is enormous these days.

Hah, I had a job there in college setting up all the events and putting tables/chairs out. But I am way older than you.

[cyclone87]

Exactly. It would be easy for almost everyone in Ames to get to let alone how easy it would be for surrounding towns and counties. The city screwed up big time letting that one get away. People who come into town for games don't go to the NG Mall, but they would have stopped at a facility like that if the stores that were rumored coming would have been there.

Does anyone know if it was going to be an outdoor mall? For some reason I keep thinking it was supposed to be like a Jordan Creek Town Center. All the stores connected but they opened up to sidewalks outside instead of inside a mall. I could be wrong though.

Was it the city that screwed up or more that Bucky didn't have the capital to go through with it (can't remember)?

[CueTheMusic]

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...

[FarminCy]

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 always thought that it was the city wouldn't annex and rezone that area, but I may be wrong.

[cyclone87]

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/n...13th-i-35-year

[Acylum]

I went by it for the first time in 7-8 years a few weeks ago. Yikes. Looks like some place you'd see a murder investigation taking place at on "The First 48".

[chuckd4735]

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?

[theshadow]

to all the people complaining about "having to drive across town".... SMH....

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.

[3TrueFans]

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.

Lincoln Way to Grand?

[FarminCy]

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?

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.

[ISUCubswin]

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.