Tidbits from Pollard on Tonight's Radio Show

[CloneJD]

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.

It’s astonishing to me that people think the Athletic Department hasn’t thought through these issues.

Everyone seems to have a lot of nostalgia for the pebbled parking lots around the ISC.

 

[NetflixAndClone]

I don’t know a single person above the age of 22 that wants to go to Welch ave after a game. I would love a bar and dining space that is walking distance from the stadium that isn’t cramped and loud like the Welch spots.

I’m pumped for CyTown. I’d definitely go even in the off-season plus hopefully they have a sports bar to watch NFL games and Hockey.

 

[CascadeClone]

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

Didn't intend sarcasm, actually. That's some added value for the AD from the food/booze part of the development. It's a way to get some revenue out of the middle and lower level donors, and I think it will be appreciated.
I've stopped to get a sandwich or something very frequently omw to bball games from CR. If I could go straight to Hilton and get something there, I very well might. I think lots of people will.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

I don’t know a single person above the age of 22 that wants to go to Welch ave after a game.

there is a good amount of older people that check out Welch on game days especially homecoming. My rule is it’s only acceptable in gameday and be aware that the later it gets the creepier you look.

 

[Clonefan32]

ISU's campustown bars and food suck. Look, I have fond memories of those **** holes when I was in college and the copious drinking i did but if you've been to other P5 schools campustowns you'll realize how bad ISU's is.
Look at how long that old MoJazz building sat looking dilapidated as ****.

I ate on Welch for the first time in years yesterday and I had the same thought. The bars and restaurants on there are dumps. They'll always be a market for dive bars in a college town, but Ames would certainly benefit from a centralized location specializing in food, drink and shopping.

 

[NorthCyd]

there is a good amount of older people that check out Welch on game days especially homecoming. My rule is it’s only acceptable in gameday and be aware that the later it gets the creepier you look.

I feel comfortable going to Welch Ave. Station pretty much any time, but that's an older crowd usually. Going someplace like Sips would probably feel really awkward though.

 

[brokenloginagain]

If you're an entrepreneur or want to try something new, is there a worse city in the US than Ames, IA to try to do something?

Ames has been anti-growth for like 50 years, other than Dixon building a gazillion apartments when ISU needed to boost its enrollment.

 

[NorthCyd]

If you're an entrepreneur or want to try something new, is there a worse city in the US than Ames, IA to try to do something?

Ames has been anti-growth for like 50 years, other than Dixon building a gazillion apartments when ISU needed to boost its enrollment.

I remember when I started college they were debating the new mall. When I left 5 years later I believe it was still a contraversy. Obviously it never got built. Of course in hindsight it looks like a smart move as malls all across the country are closing down.

 

[carvers4math]

there is a good amount of older people that check out Welch on game days especially homecoming. My rule is it’s only acceptable in gameday and be aware that the later it gets the creepier you look.

We eat at Jeff’s quite a bit on game days. It is never crowded. Also not on Welch but in campustown. Hope we are safe from creepiness since it’s on game days.

My kids always complained about creepy guys pushing 35 in campustown bars. One kept worrying a thirty something was sex trafficking the girl he was with, and was texting me. I told him to just try talking to the girl. She told him she was 16 and the creepy guy was her uncle and thought bringing her made him somehow look less creepy. Son told her if she hates coming, tell him it makes him look like a sex trafficker and she thought that was a great idea.

 

[alarson]

I remember when I started college they were debating the new mall. When I left 5 years later I believe it was still a contraversy. Obviously it never got built. Of course in hindsight it looks like a smart move as malls all across the country are closing down.

It definitely depends on the type of mall. Traditional malls like Valley West? Yeah, those are failing.

Malls that are more of a town center with a variety of activities and are surrounded by a bunch of other amenities (like Jordan Creek)? Those are doing well.

IIRC the ames proposal was an outdoor mall geared more towards the latter. It probably would have fared better than malls like Valley West, but the department stores would have faced the same struggles all department stores have.

 

[SCNCY]

It definitely depends on the type of mall. Traditional malls like Valley West? Yeah, those are failing.

Malls that are more of a town center with a variety of activities and are surrounded by a bunch of other amenities (like Jordan Creek)? Those are doing well.

IIRC the ames proposal was an outdoor mall geared more towards the latter. It probably would have fared better than malls like Valley West, but the department stores would have faced the same struggles all department stores have.

Also, wasn't it going to be an outlet mall too, so it's not like they would have had the newest clothes, items, etc. that you'd get at a mall like Jordan Creek.

 

[isucy86]

So it sounds like the PAC will stay together with a crappy tv deal. I wonder if the Big 12 overplayed their hand by being too aggressive?

The recently announced 12 team playoff could stall out realignment talk other than schools joining Big10 or SEC.

At least until we know the specifics of the 12 team playoff. Like money split, auto-qualifier criteria, etc.

I still think a joining of Big12/Pac12 is the best long-term solution for all or most of the 22 schools.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Seeings that Barta copies JP, when does Barta talk about tearing down the hospital to build one? Not that I’m in favor of that, just that he is dumb enough to suggest that.

Hospital rooftop bar/patio! 1st quarter wave at the kids, 3rd quarter wave at the drunks!

 

[isucy86]

LITERALLY the first point in the first post of this thread:

1. The Hilton update and remodel project is still planned, but since it will require the issuing of bonds to raise the needed funds, don't expect any movement on the project until after the new Big 12 TV deal is finalized.

Yeah, bond investors are going to be keen on the sources of AD revenue to repay the bond debt.
Repayment certainty (new TV deal) will play a large part in ISU getting the lowest interest rates from possible investors.

 

[ZuriCyclone]

I don’t know a single person above the age of 22 that wants to go to Welch ave after a game. I would love a bar and dining space that is walking distance from the stadium that isn’t cramped and loud like the Welch spots.

I’m pumped for CyTown. I’d definitely go even in the off-season plus hopefully they have a sports bar to watch NFL games and Hockey.

Cytown will be awesome, they need to make it more family friendly drinking area around the Stadium

 

[06_CY]

I don’t know a single person above the age of 22 that wants to go to Welch ave after a game.

I always walk to Welch after late games to get a gyro. Eat it on the walk back to my car.

 

[isucy86]

IMO Cytown can be successful if existing facilities like Hilton, Schemann & CY are modernized to attract conventions, trade shows, concerts and professional conferences. Obviously, on site hotels are also critical. Would also think Jack Trice could also be leveraged.

The incremental use as an Ames entertainment district and gathering space for sporting events on 50 days could make it a economic engine for the AD, ISU and City of Ames.

 

[cyIclSoneU]

If you're an entrepreneur or want to try something new, is there a worse city in the US than Ames, IA to try to do something?

Ames has been anti-growth for like 50 years, other than Dixon building a gazillion apartments when ISU needed to boost its enrollment.

There was a vote 8 or 9 years ago to renovate the Scheman Building and allow for larger conventions to be held on campus, along with a hotel to be constructed at Iowa State Center. And of course it was voted down, because people in Ames want as little change as possible.

 

[RustShack]

did jamie all but confirm cmc to nebby?

Huh?

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

Cytown will be awesome, they need to make it more family friendly drinking area around the Stadium

Oxymoron, unless all of the family is of age.