In an early CYTown rendering shared last fall by the athletics department, the first site (#1) north of the stadium is proposed as a medical clinic. Jack Trice Way is in the foreground.
McFarland Clinic, Iowa's largest physician-owned, multi-specialty clinic, has agreed to become the first tenant in CYTown, the university's multi-use district currently under construction between Jack Trice Stadium and the Iowa State Center.
"We are grateful to the leadership of the McFarland Clinic Board of Directors and Andrew Perry, CEO, for coming alongside Iowa State University to partner on this transformative project for Central Iowa," said director of athletics Jamie Pollard. "McFarland made history as one of Iowa's first multi-specialty clinics when it first opened its doors some 80 years ago, and we believe its support of CYTown will be equally impactful for the campus community, Ames and Central Iowa for future generations."
McFarland Clinic is expected to break ground on an anticipated 60,000-square foot, multi-level medical facility adjacent to the north entrance of Jack Trice Stadium in the summer of 2024. It will be the first building developed as part of the university's new 40-acre multi-use district, which was publicly announced in September 2022 and saw construction start in March 2023.
"This partnership is a win-win-win for ISU, McFarland and the communities we serve. This is a convenient location within the city of Ames and helps us fulfill several strategic priorities by improving access to care and opening up additional space for recruitment of new Story County physicians," Perry said. "We are proud to support CYTown, the university and the economic impact it will have with retail and entertainment offerings."
McFarland Clinic's plans
McFarland Clinic at CYTown will offer primary and specialty care as well as urgent care. CYTown is conveniently located on campus for ISU faculty, staff and students and accessible by major thoroughfares for patients in and outside of Ames.
When finalized, formal agreements between McFarland Clinic and Iowa State University are subject to approval from the state Board of Regents.
"The clinic will provide our student-athletes convenient access to orthopedic services including imaging equipment not currently available on campus," Pollard added. "It will also complement our health center by providing after-hours and weekend services. We are thrilled to welcome McFarland Clinic to CYTown."
President Wendy Wintersteen added, "We are pleased to partner with McFarland Clinic as the first tenant in CYTown. The new medical facility will be a shining example of the innovative approach Iowa State University is taking to enhance our athletics, arts and conference complex."
Pollard said McFarland Clinic's outstanding reputation and the number of individuals receiving care and services in this area will help attract additional businesses to CYTown. It also helps jump-start ISU's plans to reimagine the Iowa State Center.
"Similar to Dr. (James H.) Hilton's vision for the Iowa State Center that has impacted the Iowa State and Ames communities for more than 50 years, we believe CYTown will have a similar impact for future generations," Pollard said.
Support for center facilities
The university plans to use the revenues generated from CYTown to fund long-needed refurbishments to C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, Fisher Theater, Scheman Building, James H. Hilton Coliseum and the surrounding parking lots. The university also anticipates adding a convention center and hotel accessible for use by the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau to attract additional conventions and trade shows that provide year-round benefits to local hotels, restaurants and the city of Ames.
"McFarland has a great history of leadership and selecting locations that play a pivotal role in our community" said Rick Sanders, president of the ISU Research Park. "Their physician owners invested in our research park at a crucial time in our development and likewise are taking a leadership position in CYTown. We look forward to working with them on integrating the McFarland experience into our Iowa State ecosystem."
Businesses that want more information about opportunities to secure space in CYTown may contact Christopher Stafford at Cushman & Wakefield, 515-309-4002.
