A couple things. First, Lane4 says they want to bring in more diverse options and bussinesses, but they target what is probably the most successfull non-bar business in Campus Town (Mayhem) for removal? I've never actually been in that place, but personally I think it actually looks pretty well-kept and is one of the iconic stores in campustown. There is obviouslly a demand for it because it has been going strong for decades..
Second, I can't speak for Capones or Sgt. Peppers, but Headliners attracts crowds who like to see live shows much in the same way People's did at that same location. That is a very nice building since the family who owns it completely renovated it for "Papa's" few years ago. Also, Cafe B is successfull because they serve very good food and appeal to international students. I'm guessing you have never been there from your statement, but it is usually filled with latin americans on Friday and Saturday nights and any time there is a soccer game. It is actually one of the most expensive bars in campustown because the owner actively tries to appeal to an older more mature crowd and it has paid off.
I am all for development in Campus Town, but some of these changes just don't make sense to me. As other have already said, what about the cities fire station? Why are they even considering using eminent domain on private busineses before using the space they already own and have acknowledged will eventually be moved?
Yeah, if they are wanting to put a grocery store in that Headliners building, they taking one of the prime bar spots away. They are going to have to remember that bars, pub food and tatoos are what has been making money down there. I doubt that they'd try to run those businesses out, but if they do, they'll take a bath and have a bunch of open buildings.
My thoughts on what they should do:
1. Bulldoze the corner where Copyworks is. Go up past Mickeys to the driveway and over past Capones on LW. Then open up that parking lot to make a big plaza with an outdoor stage. Bulldoze pretty much everything in that parking lot (Ark, Scalion). Resurrect the creek that flows under the lot, so there's a nice plaza with a creek running through it. New buildings that stand where Mickeys is should have balconeys facing the plaza.
2. CLOSE that first block of Welch, making it a ped mall. Move the fire station and allow some cool bar to go in there. Expand the sidewalks to have outdoor seating. If this isn't possible, at least make Welch one-way or an access road. There's no reason for any kind of parking on that first block.
3. Leave the Headliners building as-is. If they want a grocery/pharmacy, put it in next door to Headliners. Live music is the key to Campustown and that should be promoted, not hindered.
4. Bulldoze the pink Pita Pit building. That's where the Marriott will go. The MU Hotel has been hemmoraging money, I doubt that ISU is going to have any issues with shutting that down. Marriott upstairs, commercial on the ground floor...that would be good.
5. Bulldoze Outlaws and whatever buildings are between that and the Kum&Go. Then put up an entertainment complex with a couple movie theatres, a big arcade and maybe indoor paintball.
So, I think that this plan would not take out many bars. It would spruce up the area some plus give both underage students and older alums a reason to go down there. I think that Campustown CAN be more than just drunks, tatoos and drunk food. But they have to do it right and I don't know if what they are proposing is the right way to go about things.
