I'm not exactly sure what they are planning, but Welch Avenue will soon be closed and undergoing a makeover. It sounds like the little on-street parking they have in the two blocks south of Lincoln Way, will be gone. If that's the case they threaten to further change the clientele to students or the few others within walking distance. Parking has always been a big obstacle when deciding on patronizing these businesses. Even now that I live closer and love to walk, that option is out of the question when the weather is miserable or you are planning to just pick something up and take it home. And the weather seems crappy more often than not, although that opinion comes after a long winter and cool, windy and sometimes wet spring.
Some fear the businesses in campustown will soon all be liquor stores and tattoo shops. I suppose that is all good news to the potential businesses in CyTown. Even downtown Ames is planning a makeover and I'm concerned parking may be a casualty. The parking by the railroad tracks and behind the main street businesses is one of the things that brings me downtown. Only when there is a Farmers Market or some other big event going on is parking hard to find. It's a great setup and should be expanded, not reduced. The backs of many of those buildings could use a makeover to make them more accessible and improve the looks. Also note that parking on Main Street is problematic at times because of the narrow street, traffic and difficulty seeing to back out. The meters aren't inviting either.
Some fear the businesses in campustown will soon all be liquor stores and tattoo shops. I suppose that is all good news to the potential businesses in CyTown. Even downtown Ames is planning a makeover and I'm concerned parking may be a casualty. The parking by the railroad tracks and behind the main street businesses is one of the things that brings me downtown. Only when there is a Farmers Market or some other big event going on is parking hard to find. It's a great setup and should be expanded, not reduced. The backs of many of those buildings could use a makeover to make them more accessible and improve the looks. Also note that parking on Main Street is problematic at times because of the narrow street, traffic and difficulty seeing to back out. The meters aren't inviting either.
