AMES, Iowa — After years of planning and preparation, Iowa State University’s highly anticipated $200 million CyTown development has officially moved into vertical construction with work now underway on its first building — the McFarland Clinic.

CyTown, a mixed-use development nestled between Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum, broke ground in 2023 with the demolition of old parking lots and extensive site work. Now, two years later, cranes and steel beams are giving the area its first glimpse of the project’s next phase.

“McFarland Clinic, as you can see, is under construction and their goal is to complete late 2026,” said Chris Jorgensen, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Operators. “So, be moved in early 2027, and then the rest of the project is about a year behind the McFarland timeline. We hope to see vertical construction completed fall of 2027 and the hotel will probably lag about a year behind that as well.”

The vision for CyTown began taking shape before 2020. University leaders saw an opportunity to replace aging parking lots with revenue-generating amenities that could help fund updates to other campus buildings like Stevens Auditorium and the Scheman Building.

“We’ve had construction around the stadium, including parking lot construction, for the last ten years. So, our fans are used to that this season,” Jorgensen noted. “Really, we’re as complete with parking lots as we’ve been in a number of years.”

With football season approaching, Jorgensen added that parking capacity should be strong despite the ongoing work — good news for Cyclone fans used to navigating construction zones on game day.

When finished, CyTown will offer more than just medical offices. Plans include restaurants, shops, and a new hotel to serve fans, visitors, and the local community. The university expects some businesses to open as soon as 2026, with the entire development slated for completion by 2028.

The project reflects a growing trend among large universities to transform underused land into vibrant mixed-use districts that generate steady income while enhancing the fan and student experience. Once fully built, CyTown aims to become a new social and economic hub in Ames, supporting local jobs and giving ISU a new edge in recruiting students and events.

Originally reported by Skyler Stamps in WHO 13 News.