Tidbits from Pollard on Tonight's Radio Show

[MRN4ISU]

So many of you can't see the forest for the trees.

They need this project to be competitive. They need it for the revenue. That outweighs any concerns you can possibly come up with

 

[State2015]

Can't afford Johnny's access? How about a couple of $7 IPAs and an $8 order of cheesy fries to pregame instead? And you can walk right to the game in 5 minutes...

Sure you're being sarcastic but this sounds pretty great to me. As a student I would have loved a spot to grab a burger and a beer between class and the game

 

[cytor]

I like the concept of Cy Town... but have some questions about it.

1) If you place it in C3, B3 and A1... you mess up parking big time for Hilton events. Seems to me that you place it in D1 and D2 that would logistically have less disruption.

2) Depending on what businesses go in to CY Town, will it survive decently during non school year time?

3) If enough bars/food places go in there, how does that affect Welch Ave business? It is located close to campus after all.

4) After the "honeymoon" period, does it become a failed ghost town?

 

[SolarGarlic]

I was in Campustown after the SEMO game and my thought was it's a lot nicer than it was 10 years ago. It needs more, but Ames has always been hurt by the Campustown and downtown not being the same part of town. The only comparison I can make in terms of P5 college towns with the downtown and campustown separate are Stillwater and Manhattan. Manhattan has a nicer Campustown (its not a landslide though) but Stillwater definitely doesn't. All of them (and Ames for that matter) are plenty of fun. Ames has a better downtown than Manhattan.

The people shitting on it here are suffering from the classic "being too close" syndrome (you think what you have is terrible and the grass is much greener elsewhere). It has plenty of room for improvement, but the people acting like it's Detroit are just way off base.

I don't know. I've been to Ames less than a handful of times in the last 10 years, and I'm always underwhelmed by Campustown. We have our own ties to it, but if I'm an outsider or older alum, there is no way I'm going into one of those bars. They are tiny, dark, dirty, and packed. It looks like maybe they have a couple more options for patios/gamewatch areas than when I was in school (06-11).

That said, I'm always kinda shocked to see how small and dumpy most campustown-like areas are in college towns. You're right that having downtown, campustown, S Duff, and the Iowa State Center areas so spread out has always been the biggest issue.

If CyTown has a couple beer gardens/patios/rooftops, I would be very happy, but its long-term success won't be dependent on my preferences.

 

[NorthCyd]

So if we hadn't beaten Iowa, or if we get upset by Ohio, Pollard would be less competent and people would be correct in questioning his facilities plan?

I'm intentionally being tedious, but these are legitimate concerns people are raising. I trust Pollard will do his due diligence and that his rollout of the project will alleviate most concerns. Doesn't mean it's wrong to raise them.

No, the results of one game do not speak to the competence of Pollard. Point conceded. However, peoples concerns and criticisms over issues that would have been addressed at the earliest stages of the project are not legitimate. It's just dumb.

 

[MRN4ISU]

I like the concept of Cy Town... but have some questions about it.

1) If you place it in C3, B3 and A1... you mess up parking big time for Hilton events. Seems to me that you place it in D1 and D2 that would logistically have less disruption.

2) Depending on what businesses go in to CY Town, will it survive decently during non school year time?

3) If enough bars/food places go in there, how does that affect Welch Ave business? It is located close to campus after all.

4) After the "honeymoon" period, does it become a failed ghost town?

1) Does Jamie look like an idiot to you? Why do you think we just added all the parking north of Fisher and moved the RVs? To make room for this. My guess is he is going to roll out that he has already added back the parking that will be lost. Maybe even add a parking garage

2) It is on maybe the 3rd busiest streets in Ames. Sports September through March, RCA/MWL/Buchannan nearby, apartments nearby, no restaurants that people who live near that area like to go to, events at Scheman/Fisher/CY Stephens all year, I could go on

Also, you don't think they didn't research this? HINT: Maybe there will be 2-3 big anchor business to generate consistent foot traffic?

3) Welch will be fine. Also all of those bars and restaurants are dirty and complete ass. Maybe a little competition would inspire them to be 10% less ******. That's how markets generally work, FYI

4) Why ever build anything ever

 

[CYdTracked]

For what it's worth, someone I know that does some consultant work for the athletics department told me early this year that the types of businesses they are targeting to fill this development are well-known/established businesses that are already popular in Ames that would basically have scaled down versions in it. They would not tell me any exact names of who they were trying to get but for example let's use a name we all know like Hickory Park. They would essentially have something like a "Hickory Park Express" or "Hickory Park at CyTown" location that would essentially be a scaled down version of their main location. Makes you wonder if something like Seneca's Wing Stop would relocate for obvious reasons and you can imagine some of the more popular bars or bar and grill type places in town might have interest in a 2nd location as well.

 

[Nor'MidWester]

Has Pollard ever talked about what the revenue projections could be? Any ballpark numbers?

He's building a ballpark and bringing back the baseball team???

 

[BCClone]

1) Does Jamie look like an idiot to you? Why do you think we just added all the parking north of Fisher and moved the RVs? To make room for this. My guess is he is going to roll out that he has already added back the parking that will be lost. Maybe even add a parking garage

2) It is on maybe the 3rd busiest streets in Ames. Sports September through March, RCA/MWL/Buchannan nearby, apartments nearby, no restaurants that people who live near that area like to go to, events at Scheman/Fisher/CY Stephens all year, I could go on

Also, you don't think they didn't research this? HINT: Maybe there will be 2-3 big anchor business to generate consistent foot traffic?

3) Welch will be fine. Also all of those bars and restaurants are dirty and complete ass. Maybe a little competition would inspire them to be 10% less ******. That's how markets generally work, FYI

4) Why ever build anything ever

Throw in the commuter lots also for #2. Head home and grab a sandwich.

 

[drmwevr08]

Thanks for sharing. I am all growing Ames but I really think cytown is going to be a ghost town most of the year. There is like no housing there at all. Maybe you get some traffic from the research park but I don’t think it’s enough to sustain whatever businesses go in there.

There has to be housing or its a fail. Also, if I were Ames, I'd be less than impressed depending upon how the taxes work. If there is business its because it's pulling from existing business districts.

 

[MRN4ISU]

Sorry I'm feeling sassy today

 

[Nor'MidWester]

I don't know. I've been to Ames less than a handful of times in the last 10 years, and I'm always underwhelmed by Campustown. We have our own ties to it, but if I'm an outsider or older alum, there is no way I'm going into one of those bars. They are tiny, dark, dirty, and packed. It looks like maybe they have a couple more options for patios/gamewatch areas than when I was in school (06-11).

That said, I'm always kinda shocked to see how small and dumpy most campustown-like areas are in college towns. You're right that having downtown, campustown, S Duff, and the Iowa State Center areas so spread out has always been the biggest issue.

If CyTown has a couple beer gardens/patios/rooftops, I would be very happy, but its long-term success won't be dependent on my preferences.

That's the main issue with Ames, the campustown and the more "adult" downtown of Ames are two separate areas. If they were adjacent they would be much better. A sum of their parts would be greater than their equal. You'd have daytime shopping and the night life all in one area. Although being separate from the crazy college kids area has its place...

I have no reason to doubt Jaime, I just hope this new area doesn't hurt the existing campustown and downtown Ames.
Damn our ancestors for planning Ames so poorly.

 

[cytor]

1) Does Jamie look like an idiot to you? Why do you think we just added all the parking north of Fisher and moved the RVs? To make room for this. My guess is he is going to roll out that he has already added back the parking that will be lost. Maybe even add a parking garage

2) It is on maybe the 3rd busiest streets in Ames. Sports September through March, RCA/MWL/Buchannan nearby, apartments nearby, no restaurants that people who live near that area like to go to, events at Scheman/Fisher/CY Stephens all year, I could go on

Also, you don't think they didn't research this? HINT: Maybe there will be 2-3 big anchor business to generate consistent foot traffic?

3) Welch will be fine. Also all of those bars and restaurants are dirty and complete ass. Maybe a little competition would inspire them to be 10% less ******. That's how markets generally work, FYI

4) Why ever build anything ever

Jamie is no idiot. He's been fantastic for ISU. I am sure he's had countless meetings with countless people regarding this. You make a good point with the businesses on Welch... they do need a kick in the pants to upgrade things there. If they throw a Starbucks or Caribou Coffee in there, that will help attract folks on a regular basis. Sorry if someone too a leak on your Cheerios this morning. Hope your day gets better.

 

[MRN4ISU]

Jamie is no idiot. He's been fantastic for ISU. I am sure he's had countless meetings with countless people regarding this. You make a good point with the businesses on Welch... they do need a kick in the pants to upgrade things there. If they throw a Starbucks or Caribou Coffee in there, that will help attract folks on a regular basis. Sorry if someone too a leak on your Cheerios this morning. Hope your day gets better.

I was a little edgy there and I apologize, there was no need for that. My bad. Definitely don't want to damper conversation. I'm just excited!

 

[theshadow]

You make a good point with the businesses on Welch... they do need a kick in the pants to upgrade things there. If they throw a Starbucks or Caribou Coffee in there

There's already a Starbucks where CBS used to be.

 

[NorthCyd]

Next time I go to the mechanic for an oil change I'm going to have to ask some tough questions. For example, how are they disposing of that used motor oil? It makes a hell of a mess and is an environmental hazard. They can't just let that stuff drain on the floor. I'm also going to have to ask to see their tool box. Need to make sure they have the right size sockets and filter wrenches to do the job. These thing are important! We need answers!

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

While I’ve expressed my doubts I’ll await the comments on Monday to pass full judgement. I will go to this in the off seasons and I can see it working as long as they can continue to drive traffic. I do think businesses with housing around it, west Ames, north Ames, downtown, campustown have a huge advantage and it isn’t as easy as saying Ames is small so people will go out of their way to enjoy it. I go to provisions once every couple months but it’s a combination of the research park and it’s reputation that make it viable.

 

[KnappShack]

I don't know. I've been to Ames less than a handful of times in the last 10 years, and I'm always underwhelmed by Campustown. We have our own ties to it, but if I'm an outsider or older alum, there is no way I'm going into one of those bars. They are tiny, dark, dirty, and packed. It looks like maybe they have a couple more options for patios/gamewatch areas than when I was in school (06-11).

That said, I'm always kinda shocked to see how small and dumpy most campustown-like areas are in college towns. You're right that having downtown, campustown, S Duff, and the Iowa State Center areas so spread out has always been the biggest issue.

If CyTown has a couple beer gardens/patios/rooftops, I would be very happy, but its long-term success won't be dependent on my preferences.

Sure the campustown bars are tiny, dark, and packed.

But, by gawd, they smell like higher education

 

[Sousaclone]

Next time I go to the mechanic for an oil change I'm going to have to ask some tough questions. For example, how are they disposing of that used motor oil? It makes a hell of a mess and is an environmental hazard. They can't just let that stuff drain on the floor. I'm also going to have to ask to see their tool box. Need to make sure they have the right size sockets and filter wrenches to do the job. These thing are important! We need answers!

If they don't dispose of the motor oil correctly, they fail.
If they don't have the right sockets, they fail.
If they put on the wrong filters they fail.
If you build an oil change place on the same street as 4-5 established others without having a hell of a business plan, you fail.

No one here is wanting this to fail. There are some (in my opinion) legitimate business questions that haven't been answered. I can think of a LOT of empty storefronts in various places that I've lived that all had sound business plans and models and everyone thought they were a good idea.

Let's be honest as well. If you are paying for a business development study, chances are it's going to go the way you want it to.

 

[NorthCyd]

If they don't dispose of the motor oil correctly, they fail.
If they don't have the right sockets, they fail.
If they put on the wrong filters they fail.
If you build an oil change place on the same street as 4-5 established others without having a hell of a business plan, you fail.

No one here is wanting this to fail. There are some (in my opinion) legitimate business questions that haven't been answered. I can think of a LOT of empty storefronts in various places that I've lived that all had sound business plans and models and everyone thought they were a good idea.

Let's be honest as well. If you are paying for a business development study, chances are it's going to go the way you want it to.

All of those things are true, and issues you would expect a competent business owner to address. I have a history with my mechanic and know them to be competent at their jobs so I don't feel the need to concern myself with minutiae that I am frankly not qualified to evaluate in the first place. Same is true with Pollard and the development of the athletic department and it's facilities. But if you feel the need to be "That guy/girl" and make a fool of yourself by all means go ahead.