Welch Avenue is often crowded on the weekend with its bar scene and the multiple restaurants which line the avenue.

Following the hit-and-run incident on Jan. 18, the possibility of turning part of Welch Avenue into a pedestrian-only area, similar to the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City, was taken into consideration.

“I would say it is very unrealistic in the near future,” said Campustown Action Association Director Kim Hanna. “The location of the firehouse on Welch and Chamberlain means that Welch [Avenue] cannot become a pedestrian walkway.”

Having a pedestrian-only area on Welch Avenue is not a new concept; during past VEISHEAs, the Ames Police Department has closed off the section of Welch Avenue between Lincoln Way and Chamberlain Street for food vendors.

Commander Geoff Huff of the Ames Police sees a pedestrian walkway area as an issue for the Ames Police.

“If you had the entire block shut down, we would need more foot patrol,” Huff said. “We don’t have enough officers for this type of patrol.”

A pedestrian walkway would create a sea of people, making it harder for officers to see what was going on in the area, Huff said.

Huff also stated that having vehicle traffic limits the number of people hanging around on the sidewalks and on the street, lessening the chances of accidents occurring.

 “The longer people tend to linger around after closing time [of the bars], the longer we have to stay there, which keeps us from attending to other things,” Huff said in reference to the problems a pedestrian walkway would cause for officers.

A pedestrian walkway would positively affect Campustown economically.

Hanna highlighted the opportunity for increased window shopping, which would draw customers in, along with the opportunity for more sidewalk cafes and outdoor seating at restaurants.

Having a pedestrian-only area would also give the Campustown area and its businesses more space to hold outdoor events and activities, said Hanna.

If a pedestrian walkway were to be built, it could possibly resemble the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City, Hanna added. 

Hanna said the Campustown Action Association is currently looking into other options to develop within the Campustown area, for example, more green space and new restaurants to give the entire block an entirely new feel.

“I think the economic boost will come no matter what we do as we continue to improve the district both visually and by continuing to work with our current and future business owners to bring small businesses to the district, selling goods and services that the Ames community is missing elsewhere,” Hanna said.