Campustown – the residential and commercial area just south of central campus – is the subject of recent criticism from ISU officials, the Government of the Student Body and the Ames City Council.

The area has historically served the student population as a place to live, work and play. Many critics have found reasons to suggest the area might be improved through a variety of methods, depending on what they cite as the major problems facing Campustown. Problems and proposed solutions are varied.

“If you look over a several block area, it’s just not what I would call a very attractive front door for the university,” said ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, citing the prevalence of bars and tattoo parlors in Campustown. Geoffroy suggested Campustown’s appearance might affect Iowa State’s student enrollment.

“I like the idea of having a pedestrian mall and a program to clean up trash better,” said Noah Wiese, a GSB Campustown representative and a graduate student in materials science and engineering. “I would also like to see more outdoor entertainment options for the under-21 crowd.”

Changing city ordinances to allow 19-year-olds to enter establishments that serve alcohol has been proposed as way to improve Campustown.

“Girls from campus drive all the way to Des Moines to go to Club Statik or Coconut Joe’s because they are 18 and want to dance,” said Amy Klein, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication.

It has been suggested that offering more entertainment to cater to the under-21 crowd would revitalize businesses in Campustown.

A group of students in landscape architecture even recently proposed a plan to integrate landscaping into redesigning Campustown, as reported in the Oct. 7 article in the Daily, “Students present a design for landscaping in Campustown.” Their goal was to think of ideas of how to use trees, plants and infrastructure to improve the aesthetic appeal of the area.

“Students need to be more boisterous to businesses about keeping the area clean,” said Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco.

The Ames City Council ordered the University Impacted Area Study to guide their possible policies regarding the future of Campustown.

“We studied issues such as the redevelopment of old greek houses, how large buildings should be along Beach Avenue and in the core of Campustown, as well as the design of new buildings in the area and if they truly meet the design standards for Ames residents and visitors,” said Matt Flynn, Ames director of planning, housing and economic development.

One proposed change to come from the study is the possibility of a new city requirement that 15 percent of land around high-density residential properties must be open space for public use.

The viability of such a new rule was up for debate, and the Ames City Council decided to put off any zoning change votes indefinitely.

Should Campustown get a “facelift?” Readers can leave their feedback to this Debatable online at iowastatedaily.com or by writing letters to [email protected]. Readers can also participate in our online poll regarding this issue located about “Today’s PDF” on the frontpage of the site.

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