Campustown redevelopment

[cycoOJfan89]

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?

Admittedly I should not have grouped Cafe B in that group of unsuccessful bars, I have been there only once and it wasn't busy. Also, I do know that Headliners can get crowds but from my understanding, a bar with that location should be a lot more popular, my older brother still can't believe his People's closed down!

Honestly I think if a couple of the buildings went through a few renovations, they dressed up Welch Ave a bit and made it into a Ped mall, and gave the area more parking options, it would make the area immensely better! If they did this I believe business could do better and more attractive shops and business would pop up around the area.

 

[RayShimley]

Admittedly I should not have grouped Cafe B in that group of unsuccessful bars, I have been there only once and it wasn't busy. Also, I do know that Headliners can get crowds but from my understanding, a bar with that location should be a lot more popular, my older brother still can't believe his People's closed down!

Honestly I think if a couple of the buildings went through a few renovations, they dressed up Welch Ave a bit and made it into a Ped mall, and gave the area more parking options, it would make the area immensely better! If they did this I believe business could do better and more attractive shops and business would pop up around the area.

I don't go to Headliners much because it isn't my scene, but that place is just going to take time to regain the popularity that People's once had. People's was an ISU institution for many generations of alumni. However, Headliners IS doing MUCH, MUCH better than Papa's which was being boycotted (fairly impressively) by the students.

My main point about Headliners was that it is doing decent business and has a very nice interior (relative to other bars on Welch) because they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars (?) to renovate that place and keep all the historic aspects of the Chamberlain building (tile floors, wooden trim, etc). This is the last place they need to be looking at in terms of demolition and re-purposing.

 

[cycoOJfan89]

I don't go to Headliners much because it isn't my scene, but that place is just going to take time to regain the popularity that People's once had. People's was an ISU institution for many generations of alumni. However, Headliners IS doing MUCH, MUCH better than Papa's which was being boycotted (fairly impressively) by the students.

My main point about Headliners was that it is doing decent business and has a very nice interior (relative to other bars on Welch) because they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars (?) to renovate that place and keep all the historic aspects of the Chamberlain building (tile floors, wooden trim, etc). This is the last place they need to be looking at in terms of demolition and re-purposing.

After acquiring this knowledge I would not be opposed to stopping by Headliners and supporting them! Never really gave that bar a shot because it doesn't look like the place for me judging by the people I've seen outside smoking cigarettes!

 

[ISULifer]

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?

+1

 

[RayShimley]

After acquiring this knowledge I would not be opposed to stopping by Headliners and supporting them! Never really gave that bar a shot because it doesn't look like the place for me judging by the people I've seen outside smoking cigarettes!

Well that is just it, and like I said, I don't go there often myself. I do support having diverse options for diverse groups of folks available though. If they all have a place to go it means I won't see them as often in my favorite spots.

 

[CyForPresident]

Headliner should not be touched. That place has some character on the inside, especially the ceiling and floor.

Get ride of Copyworks. I have no idea how they can stay in that location. I didn't realize the late night drunk crowd needs copies ASAP.

 

[SCNCY]

Headliners should stay. If they want to build the small grocery store, they should look in to the varsity theater or kingland systems. I am not sure what they plan on doing with the theater space, but there would be enough room in there I think for their grocery store. They could probably get kingland to move to another location in campus town given, they would probably have to build a new space first.

 

[CONEClone]

Headliner should not be touched. That place has some character on the inside, especially the ceiling and floor.

Get ride of Copyworks. I have no idea how they can stay in that location. I didn't realize the late night drunk crowd needs copies ASAP.

Copyworks is probably the strongest business in Campustown.

 

[CyForPresident]

Copyworks is probably the strongest business in Campustown.

That may be true, but its completely out of place. Just like the fire station.

 

[CONEClone]

How's it out of place? If anything it's perfect for Campustown. I can't even begin to count how many times I walked from campus to Copyworks to get something copied/made/etc.

 

[CyForPresident]

How's it out of place? If anything it's perfect for Campustown. I can't even begin to count how many times I walked from campus to Copyworks to get something copied/made/etc.

Its an office supply store in the middle of a bar district. I went in that place once in 5 years because I had to buy a packet of papers for a class. There are literally hundreds of copiers on campus as well. A bar or pavilion in that location would do more for the area.

 

[MaxPower57]

Archie's Shoe Repair was a staple of Welch Ave. These property managers need to get rid of Copyworks and put shoe repair back where it belongs.

 

[Al_4_State]

Capone's was open in fall of 2007. It was a lot of fun back then. Can't say what it's like now as my buddies who still live in Ames go almost exclusively to Paddy's/Mickey's/Es Tas/Thumb's.

 

[CyBroncos]

Copyworks came in handy a few times when I was in school and after graduation. That said, I think it should be moved and it could be smaller. That location at Welch and Lincoln Way is too valuable in the whole Campustown scheme of things to have Copyworks there.

Also...putting a grocery store in the old People's building would be stupid. You need a bar or restaurant in that location.

 

[Frak]

I don't go to Headliners much because it isn't my scene, but that place is just going to take time to regain the popularity that People's once had. People's was an ISU institution for many generations of alumni. However, Headliners IS doing MUCH, MUCH better than Papa's which was being boycotted (fairly impressively) by the students.

My main point about Headliners was that it is doing decent business and has a very nice interior (relative to other bars on Welch) because they spent hundreds of thousands of dollars (?) to renovate that place and keep all the historic aspects of the Chamberlain building (tile floors, wooden trim, etc). This is the last place they need to be looking at in terms of demolition and re-purposing.

I agree about Headliners. They did a nice job of rennovating that place even though I'm STILL mad about Peoples basically being forced out. Students were upset about that and the owner paid for it. Now, they need to keep building a customer base. I don't really know why they covered up those front windows...that was a cool part of the place...sitting there for FAC and seeing people walk by and wish they were in there. If they want to rennovate Campustown, the last thing they need to do is tear all that out and put a grocery store there. Destroying what is probably the nicest bar in Campustown in what is a historic building that was recently rennovated doesn't make a lick of sense.

 

[Frak]

Copyworks is probably the strongest business in Campustown.

How is that even possible? Back when I was in school, it was needed mostly because people were printing out resume's and things like that. Now no one actually sends out hard copy resumes. In fact hard copies of anything are pretty much obsolete. The only thing that I'd think that they would make money on are required study guides and printing out reports. I think that they could do what they need with half the space.

I'd love to see some retail space open up and Zmolek bring Peoples back to Ames.

 

[cyclone1975]

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..

Mayhem is a great local story. They started out small, expanded to the next shop over, and have renovated several times. They also opened and still operate a very strong store in West Des Moines. I am not into comic books like I was when I was a kid, but I used to really like the Ames store when I was younger. Most comic book shops bit the dust (there even used to be 2 in Campus town), but Mayhem has kept growing through the years.

 

[Frak]

Mayhem is a great local story. They started out small, expanded to the next shop over, and have renovated several times. They also opened and still operate a very strong store in West Des Moines. I am not into comic books like I was when I was a kid, but I used to really like the Ames store when I was younger. Most comic book shops bit the dust (there even used to be 2 in Campus town), but Mayhem has kept growing through the years.

I think that they made a good move with the card games (Magic the Gathering, etc) giving people a place to play and buy new cards...not that I've ever played them. IMO they'd really take off if they started offering video games and providing a place for people to network and play laptops, ps3, etc. It would be sad to see that place go. I worry that if Lane4 buys up all the properties and builds new, the rent will be too high for places like this. IMO they should be looking at the crappy buildings like the Pita Pit building and Copyworks/Capones while leaving the nicer buildings like Headliners and US Bank.

 

[CyForPresident]

Archie's Shoe Repair was a staple of Welch Ave. These property managers need to get rid of Copyworks and put shoe repair back where it belongs.

This is the correct answer. Many a times I was in peril need of a cobbler to fix my shoe-nail. Lucky that Archie's was around to fix them, he was! Cheri O and all that!

 

[Al_4_State]

How is that even possible? Back when I was in school, it was needed mostly because people were printing out resume's and things like that. Now no one actually sends out hard copy resumes. In fact hard copies of anything are pretty much obsolete. The only thing that I'd think that they would make money on are required study guides and printing out reports. I think that they could do what they need with half the space.

I'd love to see some retail space open up and Zmolek bring Peoples back to Ames.

Don't hold your breath. With all the bars he's been selling, I get the impression that operation is looking to downsize and just focus on People's Court.