Iowa State University Selects CYTown Developer
Feb 27, 2024
Iowa State University has selected Midwest-based Goldenrod Companies to lead the design, development, financing, and construction of CYTown, Iowa State's innovative 40-acre multi-use district being built between the Iowa State Center and Jack Trice Stadium.
"Following an extensive RFI (request for information) process led by Cushman & Wakefield, we are thrilled to announce Goldenrod Companies as CYTown's coordinating developer," ISU Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. "The number of responses to our RFI was truly amazing. It confirmed for us the viability of this project. In the end, Goldenrod's expertise and demonstrated success in the development of mixed-use districts, coupled with their financial capacity and higher education experience, made them the ideal partner to turn CYTown's vision into a reality".
"Our goal is to create a vibrant, innovative, and financially feasible multi-use district that in turn will generate the necessary resources to reinvest in the Iowa State Center," he added. "CYTown's unique location will help attract more visitors to Iowa State University and the Ames' community, spur economic growth for central Iowa, and offer new amenities to students, staff, visitors, and residents to enjoy year-around."
Iowa State will now enter into an initial agreement that provides Goldenrod an exclusive period to perform the necessary research, facilitate studies, and develop a financial model. After that process is completed, it is expected Iowa State and Goldenrod will enter into a long-term land-use development agreement, pending final approval from the Iowa Board of Regents.
"We are grateful to the Iowa Board of Regents for supporting our recommendation to partner with Goldenrod as the development partner for CYTown. We look forward to working with Goldenrod to develop an innovative and vibrant mixed-use district that will enhance Ames' reputation as an outstanding community to live and work in," said ISU President Dr. Wendy Wintersteen. "This has been a thoughtful and deliberate process, and I look forward to the momentum continuing to grow as we enter this exciting phase with Goldenrod coming alongside Iowa State as our partner in this project."
Goldenrods Managing Principal Zach Wiegert said, "After our initial meeting it is evident that ISU has the right team and vision for this development, and we intend to make that vision a reality. We want to make CYTown a year-round destination for students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff and visitors while providing an amazing event space before and after ISU athletic events at Iowa State Center and Jack Tice Stadium."
The Goldenrod team wishes the Aaron family congratulations on this significant day. We are very grateful for the lasting legacy that Hank Aaron created, and we thank the Aaron family and all those associated for their continued support of our project in outfield. We hope this special development, named “The Henry” in honor of Mr. Aaron, continues to pay tribute to all that he stood for on and off the field. “Keep swinging #44”
Our hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska, The Scarlet Hotel, inspired the U.S. Navy to name their staterooms in a similar manner. We had engaged the team at Archrival to write unique stories of nearly 150 Nebraska cities and towns. We shared these stories with the U.S. Navy, along with more than 2,000 photographs depicting each locale which were captured by students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Thank you to Dale and Roger from the Big Red Sub Club for presenting Zach with this memento.