I’d be all for more concerts at CY and Hilton. I was under the impression that the AD had no interest in using Hilton for concerts. I bet Jamie could smell the pot lingering from Phish in 99 and was not impressed.
Tidbits from Pollard on Tonight's Radio Show
- Thread starter norsemen
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Campus town is a dump, it's awful, and honestly compared to other schools it's a joke.
If you come from out of town for a basketball game or football game and are over the age of 22, there is nowhere to go or stay or have a beer anywhere near Hilton or the stadium. I don't know how it does in the summer, but the town needs something. And in my opinion, compared to other college towns, the city of Ames does nothing for Iowa State other than fight growth. Look at any other college town and the growth that's occurred over the last 30 years. Ames has done nothing.
My guess is Pollard thinks there is a need, which there is, and is just going to do it himself, because nobody else is going to do it.
Another interesting tidbit. I believe he said this is roughly double than what that gate used to see so other gates are feeling the relief as well.
He also mentioned that they probably wont have someone escorting each RV to their spot in the village from now on basically admitting that it slowed things down a lot and people are probably smart enough to follow a map.
Also looking at options to get peoples cars in there on Friday to drop stuff off.
Hilton hasn't been a concert attraction since Wells Fargo replaced Vets in Des Moines.
Issue of Bond? What does that mean for a clueless investor looking to get in. Can I buy some? Anyone who has done anything like before and knows what to do? Sorry of I’m asking a wrong person. Thank you.
Coming to ISU right now generally means spending lodging, dining, and entertainment dollars elsewhere.
The university has grown a lot in 30-40 years. Meanwhile the commercial offerings stagnant to college town, which in itself was lacking planning and investment. This should be channeling the commercial development that would otherwise occur in Ames around ISU’s high traffic area, getting an additive effect in which it becomes an attraction in its own right.
Start small covering the basics, and it could become the primary spot in Ames. They can easily offer something for the traffic that comes to ISU. A more modern, multiple audience college town that actually has a central plan in development.
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I'm old enough to remember when they ran unlimited class tractor pulls in Hilton. That was sweet seating for a tractor pull. They were in town for Dorm Days when I was applying at ISU. (it was weekends when they would put you on a dorm floor for a wkend and see how much you could drink)
I know, but what is stopping it from starting back up. You have a decent draw base and with the pro sports and other events in Wells, that place is busier than normal and an EXTREMELY expensive place.
One interesting aspect I just thought of. Since it is university (state) property would anything there be exempt to sales tax like the bookstore? I am likely way off on what makes the bookstore tax free as I am just a dumb pilot/program manager type.
Wells Fargo is in Des Moines, the most populous City in Iowa. There are also multiple hotels and restaurants nearby. Hilton and Ames simply cannot compete.
I respect Pollard’s opinion on the PAC 12 and I tend to agree with it, but as we have found out in realignment, the ADs are the last to know.
Exactly. I think that you have to get to at least 100 days of semi-major events every year to make it viable. Something bigger than a wedding. If they had actual flat space in Scheman, that would be a huge plus in getting mid-sized conferences. The city voted that down 15 years ago even though it was just a hotel tax that was paying for most of it. That was stupid then and I wonder whether they've learned the lesson or not.
When it was just Vets, which also had concerts, Vets couldn't compete with Hilton. Students are a nice base for concerts, you have other cities to the north that like the easy in and out of Ames compared to Des Moines. There would be usually 2-3 stadium shows also which I don't think JP would allow with the grass now. Just because a city has a larger population doesn't mean that another place can't survive and work.
Just pulled up Wells Fargo's schedule. One concert a month???? We would have more than that in a week when I was in college. The hockey matches, basketball games, arena football, state tournaments really tie up wells fargo. Why you only get a show a month there.
Curious if it's the same posters who ***** incessantly about South Duff and lack of dining options who are now ******** about Cytown...
For people who consider themselves to be educated, Ames voters have proven time and time again that they aren't bright enough to understand who actually pays the hotel/motel taxes.
You definitely do not want to take advise from us. They have not released enough information on the plans.
The Star is not near AT&T stadium, but it is a destination on its own. something similar can be done with CyTown; but leveraging the proximity to The Jack , Hilton, Scheeman, etc.. A destination for sports, concerts, the arts, business, research, etc..
To me it seems like we keep kicking the can down the road on some badly needed updates and renovations to Hilton. Really wish that would take priority next over a possible entertainment district. There have been multiple ideas and concepts floated around about how to update Hilton over the years but none have really come to reality. Other than the scoreboard (which is probably due for replacement again soon with something more high tech) the addition of the ribbon board, and the new lighting have we really done anything else significant to that facility? Our basketball programs are competitive and would like to see some more momentum to following through on making Hilton up to par with renovations comparable to what we have done at Jack Trice.
As for the CyTown thing I am very skeptical on how that will thrive other than on game days. There is no other retail or natural business traffic that flows through that area to make it a goto spot IMO. Yes it would be neat to be able to grab some food and beers before games and I am sure they could make some good money at that but when school is out and its the offseason where does the business come from to keep it afloat during the summer? Let's also not forget that area floods about every 10 years or so too so some flood mitigation would probably be needed to develop it. I'm not completely against the concept but I just feel that we have more pressing needs to address first such as Hilton before we venture into a more risky thing like this.
As for the CyTown thing I am very skeptical on how that will thrive other than on game days. There is no other retail or natural business traffic that flows through that area to make it a goto spot IMO. Yes it would be neat to be able to grab some food and beers before games and I am sure they could make some good money at that but when school is out and its the offseason where does the business come from to keep it afloat during the summer? Let's also not forget that area floods about every 10 years or so too so some flood mitigation would probably be needed to develop it. I'm not completely against the concept but I just feel that we have more pressing needs to address first such as Hilton before we venture into a more risky thing like this.
May not be competing for the same acts or same type of entertainment.
Just parents visiting kids for a weekend - would be nice to have a quality hotel with restaurants and bars close by right on campus.
