Arguments are presented that the addition of cold neutron beam facilities at intermediate flux reactors is an effective and feasible way to upgrade their value as research facilities by expanding the range of topics in which they can carry on competitive and useful research. These include prompt gamma‐ray analysis, basic level scheme studies with capture gamma‐ray and conversion electron spectroscopy in which very pure or very low background beams are required, development and testing of new methods and instruments for research with cold neutrons, and pedagogical experiments that demonstrate quantum mechanical interference and related phenomena at the macroscopic level. Reasons are suggested that may explain why the only US reactors with cold sources are at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It is also noted that only the latter has a system of cold neutron beams comparable to those at European laboratories. Design considerations for installing cold neutron beams at intermediate flux reactors, including safety and operational simplicity, are discussed in general terms. Some examples of specific design compromises are drawn from the Cornell project that has been underway for several years.