CyTown Announcement - Monday 9/19 (Links in OP)

[2speedy1]

I've not read this whole thread, but you mentioned a sea of pavement. Has anyone touched on the time we have an actual sea of flood water in that area?
Honestly just curious about that part and didn't seen it brought up in the 8 pages or so that I've looked at.

It was previously stated they are raising the parking/CyTown area out of the flood plain. Today, they said they are adding flood mitigation areas and retention areas.

Im guessing for every area they raise up they must also add the same amount of volume somewhere as a retention area. If you look on the map they show some of those retention areas being located. Looks as though they will lower certain grassy areas, etc, while raising the CyTown area.

 

[isufbcurt]

This should give me just enough time to start Trust the Process Brewery. Complimentary tours at 10 and 2. Put me down for 20,000 SqF, Jamie.

I should set up my office there and open it on gamedays for a tailgate

 

[GMackey32]

Toppling Goliath is putting a brewery in Des Moines. So probably not going to happen. Personally I would rather see Iowa Tap Room branch out as opposed to just one brewery going in.

I have it on good authority that it's going in CyTown

 

[drmwevr08]

It was previously stated they are raising the parking/CyTown area out of the flood plain. Today, they said they are adding flood mitigation areas and retention areas.

Im guessing for every area they raise up they must also add the same amount of volume somewhere as a retention area. If you look on the map they show some of those retention areas being located. Looks as though they will lower certain grassy areas, etc, while raising the CyTown area.

Probably going overboard to be sure since the previous planning didn't accommodate well. See - floating basketball floor in Hilton.

 

[Acylum]

There should be a place selling packaged beer and tailgating essentials. Tons of people probably stop somewhere to pick up a few things before they hit Ames, if there's a spot close by they can walk to, I would think most people would just head straight there.

I thought this was part of the original plan. Like a Hy Vee Dollar Fresh or whatever they’re called.

 

[AuH2O]

This is really it right here.

You have 6 football games a year which will bring hellish business for 12-18 games. You have what, 20 mens basketball games and probably another handful of womens BB and/or wrestling events that will bring in some crowds for a night. Even with the football slaughters, that's not enough viable events to make this kind of thing work out.

I think the bold is what has to happen to really make this a viable/remotely sensible plan. The problem is Ames has never really been viewed as an extension of the Des Moines market like Lawrence has with KC. Mammoth, Pipeline, and other promoters were based out of Lawrence over the years and they consistently put shows there as part of the "KC market". People became used to and accustomed to making that drive to see shows at the Granada, Bottleneck, and Liberty Hall. Even if Jamie WANTS to lure events to Ames he HAS to have a promoter that sees his vision. He will need a First Fleet (DM based) or a Mammoth (whos is behind a lot of TM venue shows in the OMaha, Des Moines, and KC regional markets) to put shows there. It then has to be the right sized show for that to happen and Stephens is simply the wrong size for that to happen. A lot of 3k sized events skip the low-mid markets altogether. Anything smaller and you have to convince someone not to put it at Hoyt Sherman when 90% or more of events will sell better there, all things being equal.

Just because you renovate Stephens and aim for grandeur doesn't mean it will happen. You need a promoter that has connections and can bring in the shows, then they need to be successful. Tough sell IMO.

I'd argue that they don't need a major events win like you are describing for it to be profitable. After the sporting events I think they can piece together enough business from things like:
- Casual traffic from town and area
- ISU events or sponsored conferences, as well as corporate events that don't currently have a good central hub
- Misc. events like Special olympics, Iowa games, etc.
- Spillover from Des Moines when there are conflicts in tours coming through the area.

 

[aeroclone]

I should set up my office there and open it on gamedays for a tailgate

Top notch tailgate setup, and then you can write off all your tailgating costs as a business expense. That is a win win.

 

[CloniesForLife]

Toppling Goliath is putting a brewery in Des Moines. So probably not going to happen. Personally I would rather see Iowa Tap Room branch out as opposed to just one brewery going in.

Is that a place with all local beer? Would be cool to have a place like that. Partner with a bunch of local places to do special Cyclone themed brews

Also, Mississippi River Distilling would be smart to try and get a place in Cytown.

 

[SCNCY]

Top notch tailgate setup, and then you can write off all your tailgating costs as a business expense. That is a win win.

Better yet, set up your office space with a bed and small kitchen and all of a sudden you have your own tax deductible office hotel room!

 

[NetflixAndClone]

That's a great business plan for 7 days each year and terrible for 358 other days. Even the 7 days it would probably suck because it would run out of inventory.

We can convert it to a spirit Halloween on non football days for a month.

 

[isufbcurt]

Top notch tailgate setup, and then you can write off all your tailgating costs as a business expense. That is a win win.

Exactly.

And then after we win the game we can continue the tailgate with some dancing girls to entertain

 

[aeroclone]

Exactly.

And then after we win the game we can continue the tailgate with some dancing girls to entertain

Are these suites going to have outdoor balconies? I'm picturing Curt up there with a pile of cardinal and gold beads ready to be awarded to the most enthusiastic post game celebrants. Mardi Gras in the French Quarter won't have a thing on victory parties in CyTown!

 

[CyNews]

**** No. I don't call Elwood Drive by it's new name either.

People lobbying for Pollard & Light District. Lol.

 

[mfl3cy]

They've announced they're looking around the area but haven't announced a location. CyTown could very well be that location.

A place like Iowa Taproom could easily take up one of the commercial spaces too in addition to the brewery.

Is that a place with all local beer? Would be cool to have a place like that. Partner with a bunch of local places to do special Cyclone themed brews

Also, Mississippi River Distilling would be smart to try and get a place in Cytown.

Yes. It's in DSM. Only have Iowa beers on tap. (Others in bottle and cans) Good food too.

 

[Remo Gaggi]

How does Randy P always get the first question at a press conference?

Randy asked Jamie if he expects to still be alive when it’s done. What a great journalist.

 

[JohnPrineforCy]

I dont know if this has already been brought up, but with the large screen at one end of CyTown, it sets up for some great watch parties for away football and basketball games. Its always cool when broadcasts show large crowds watching games at like Power and Light for example.

 

[FallOf81]

Any estimates on how many dump truck loads it will take to raise the grade? And plans for where this will come from?

 

[Remo Gaggi]

People lobbying for Pollard & Light District. Lol.

That’s what it should be called. Not at all thrilled with the logo they are using for cytown, hopefully it’s a placeholder until some professionals can come up with something more timeless and sophisticated.

 

[KnappShack]

**** No. I don't call Elwood Drive by it's new name either.

It will ALWAYS be Elwood Drive.

 

[cyclone1209]

Less football parking = bad idea.

So they’ll set up trolleys or something long term. This is huge - we are trying (to me) to recreate a smaller scale version of the Jerry World experience where you have the stadium, bars, restaurants, and shops within the area. I think it’s brilliant. We have to think big with ideas like this. It’s how we keep Campbell long term. Stuff like this would make Ames the best game day experience in the Big 12.