HomeMy WebLinkAboutA028 - Email from Scott Kovach dated November 17, 2013 Good job Kingland. Now let's preserve the retail space in Campustown.
bobanncamp@aol.com,
tom@tomwacha.org,jlarson101@aol.com,
mg@fightingburrito.com,
Scott Kovach to: dvoss@city.ames.ia.us, 11/17/2013 10:12 PM
leremyndavis@gmail.com,
pforazem@gmail.com,
aharvey@iastate.edu,
vszopinski@gmail.com
Scott Kovach Good job Kingland. Now let's preserve the retail space in Campustown.
Dear Mayor, Council members, and City Clerk,
I am happy that new buildings will add new life to the 100 blocks of Welch and
Stanton and the block of Lincoln Way between them. I am an alum of ISU and
therefore have a deep appreciation for the addition of more apartments close
to campus, the community that this housing fosters, and the thought that many
a student will be spared long treks to campus in the bitter cold.
The reason I write to you, our city' s leaders, is to voice concern about the
use of the ground floor of these new buildings. The vibrancy of our Campustown
is largely due to small shops, cafes, eateries, hair salons, pizza joints, and
the like. It would be a great sadness if this social hub were to be replaced
with businesses that are not friendly to visitors walking in off the street.
If the ratio of retail space to business space slides away from retail, we
will gradually lose one of the most interesting communities of Ames. Sure,
people do jaywalk an awful lot there. They also pour out of the bars and fill
the streets when the Cyclones win a big game. They are too loud. They crowd
the sidewalk. They ride bicycles and skateboards where they should not. They
even get tattoos and piercings. The Cyclone marching band will blast your ears
while you're trying to have a drink with your friends during Homecoming. But
isn't that the point? When was the last time any of this happened in Somerset?
With deep thanks for reading this email,
Scott Kovach
1215 Wilson Ave
Ames, IA 50010
sdkovach@gmail.com
(515) 428-2025