With the help of a new executive director, a local organization is seeking to change the way the public perceives the Campustown area.

The Campustown Action Association has been around for years, but recently it has been campaigning intensely for a better perceived public image. 

The association believes the Campustown area is home to more than just collegiate bar patrons. It is home to a thriving small-business environment, and has potential to become even greater.

“Some people view [Campustown] as being very dirty, no parking and only for college students, but that is not the case. Especially now with the new parking ramp,” said Kim Hanna, the new executive director for the Campustown Action Association.

The Intermodal Facility was built just west of Welch Avenue this summer with the purpose of attracting more people to the Campustown area. Parking has long been a hotly debated topic in this area. 

Hanna hopes to push the success of small-businesses as well as welcome new and exciting businesses like franchise restaurants, commercial marketplaces and upscale residential properties.

“There are a lot of great businesses here already and we want to build on that. Campustown also has a lot of great ethnic food options, and we want to keep that going,” Hanna said.

Jason Crimmins, owner of the new bar and restaurant Charlie Yokes, located on the corner of Lincoln Way and Welch Avenue, also serves on the executive board for the association. Crimmins has been a business owner in the Campustown area for 10 years. 

“Campustown has a kind of identity crisis going on. We’re trying to cater to everyone,” Crimmins said. “But we have to embrace who we are.” 

If all goes to plan, the Campustown area may receive grant money from several governmental entities like the state of Iowa and the city of Ames. The grant money would be used to improve the appearance of storefronts and to construct new buildings.

“I think the biggest thing that is going to help Campustown is an investment from the city of Ames and other businesses,” Crimmins said. “Hopefully over the next year we’ll see a lot of small changes that make a big difference.”

Hanna said one of the main objectives of Campustown is to be a place where anyone is welcome. 

“This is Campustown. It is part of your college experience. But it is also part of the Ames experience,” Hanna said. “So we want to make sure people know that anyone is welcome. You don’t have to be 21 or under to enjoy Campustown.”