Ames, Iowa – On Tuesday, Iowa State University’s athletic director, Jamie Pollard, presented an ambitious development plan for a 94-acre area situated between the university’s football stadium and basketball arena.
This new venture, named CyTown, aims to become a vibrant hub of activity with a scheduled opening in the fall of 2027.
First announced in 2022, CyTown will serve as an entertainment complex accessible to the public throughout the year, particularly bustling on football game days.
The projected construction cost ranges from $175 million to $225 million, with Goldenrod Companies from Omaha, Nebraska, taking on the role of the primary developer and managing the financing.
Iowa State University will not have any financial liability concerning this project.
The development’s centerpiece will be the McFarland Clinic medical facility, alongside plans for a seven-story Marriott hotel named The Cardinal, which will feature 200 rooms and a skywalk connection to Hilton Coliseum.
Additionally, there will be 70,000 square feet allocated for retail and another 90,000 square feet for office space, complemented by a 3,000-seat amphitheater and various dining options.
Construction for the McFarland Clinic is set to commence this spring, while the majority of work will proceed in 2026.
Pollard highlighted that the area had become neglected over time, experiencing numerous maintenance challenges.
The notion of transforming this space dates back to 1954 when former Iowa State president James Hilton first proposed the idea of an educational, cultural, and athletic complex.
“This is a significant milestone for Iowa State,” Pollard mentioned in a video release.
“It aims to be a major attraction not just for the university, but for the entire city of Ames and central Iowa, rejuvenating a visionary concept from James Hilton that was innovative and advanced for its time.”
The design of CyTown is intended to echo other significant development projects, such as Titletown near Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers, and the Power & Light District located near the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
