Iowa State Ames Big with $200-Million “CyTown” Plan!

Dubbed CyTown, Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen unveiled a $200-million plan to develop the nation's first multi-use district on a college campus.

Wintersteen laid out an ambitious goal to reinvigorate the Iowa State center & campus, which she cited as needing critical upgrades for the 21st Century.

The original vision, conceived by 1950s president James Hilton, developed a hub known as the Iowa State Center. It has been and will continue to be the community's crown jewel, but after seven decades, it requires critical upgrades.

Wintersteen charged the athletic department to reimagine and reinvigorate the center. So a new plan was devised and presented to bring together the Iowa State Center, Research Park, and Cyclone Athletics to transform the Iowa State experience.

Wintersteen and her team believe CyTown will generate new resources to invest in the Iowa State Center for generations. In addition, it delivers a blueprint and comprehensive plan for the 21st Century.

The project began with the vision of Dr. Hilton nearly seven decades ago. The idea was ahead of its time but has now fallen behind our time.

Green Bay's Titletown inspired it. CyTown is being packaged and sold to repurpose the Iowa State Univerity property, energize the Ames community, and help the area revitalize and remain competitive in attracting future students to Iowa State University.

Wintersteen and the team will go before the Board of Regents in November, with phase one budgeted for $25 million.

The plan calls for the construction of a Medical Clinic, Cytown Suites
Restaurants, Brewpubs, offices, and Retail spaces.

When fully built out, over the next 20 years, it is said to generate upwards of $200 million of spendable revenue—seventy-five percent from rents and another twenty-five percent from renting multipurpose CyTown Suites and fundraising.

But will CyTown do anything to lower tuition costs? President Witterstein acknowledged that it will not lower tuition, but she believes it will provide students with more significant job opportunities and internships with area businesses.

Will the Board of Regents approve the plan? The Regents approved the initial research and planning along the way and will vote on moving the project forward at their November meeting.

The proposed CYTown development builds upon significant investment in several recently completed projects that have enhanced the gateway to the university. These projects include the:

• Pedestrian Bridge ($10 million)
• RV Village and parking upgrades for the Iowa State Center ($14 million)
• Stark Performance Center ($60 million)
• Albaugh Family Plaza and Concourse ($30 million)
• Sukup Endzone Club ($50 million)
• Reiman Gardens Plaza ($10 million)

To learn more, visitcyclones.com/news