The Campustown Action Association conducted an online survey last semester in order to gain a perspective on ISU students’ and community members’ views on Campustown and its future.

The survey was released to the public in October and was taken by 253 females and 223 males. According to the CAA, the survey represented all age groups, including students, ISU faculty and staff, non-students and alumni.

“The purpose of the survey was to gather feedback on the current perceptions of Campustown and what people want Campustown to be like,” said Chandra Peterson, CAA secretary. “From this data, we will be developing goals that can help us move closer to what people want Campustown to look like.”

Results from the survey, which allowed respondents to choose their top three attributes, show that 52 percent polled feel that the major strength of Campustown is its location compared to events and sports, 38 percent feel that its strength comes from its cultural vibrancy and 32 percent believe that the “local mom-and-pop shops” are its greatest asset.

“Campustown is extremely important to students,” said Jared Knight, vice president of the Government of the Student Body. “It’s a critical part of the Iowa State community and a part of Ames focused on students, but used by the entire community.”

The proposal for changes to Campustown is not new. In 2009, the Ames City Council spent $30,000 to look into possible architectural designs for Campustown. After that, LANE4, a development firm located in Missouri, met resistance when offering proposals to changing the area. Any possible contracts or plans with LANE4 have since fallen through.

“Ever since cutting ties with LANE4, talks have been ongoing about revitalizing Campustown,” Knight said. “Instead of focusing on national chains, I see a revitalized Campustown that keeps local businesses at its core and we’ve been in talks with the city and the Campustown Action Association about doing so.”

Peterson said that, at least with the CAA, there are no plans or time lines in place for changes to Campustown except for “small projects” such as cleanup days.

“[Campustown] just needs an aesthetic face-lift,” said Ross Kimm, open-option sophomore. Kimm listed several ways that Campustown could be better, including new places for music venues. “It needs so many things.”

The Campustown Visioning Survey showed that 60 percent feel that the most needed improvements are cleanup and new events. Meanwhile, 62 percent of the participants in the survey responded that Campustown is currently “tired, run-down and dated.” At the same time, 58 percent want to see Campustown as “vibrant and energetic” in the future.