1st Annual ND Downtown Conference

 

1st Annual North Dakota Downtown Conference Presented By The Downtowners of Bismarck.

Creating Vital Downtowns for Community Sustainability

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Click here to view the 2011 Agenda: 2011 ND Downtown Conference Agenda

The Bismarck Downtowners hosted a statewide conference focused on North Dakota Downtown topics including redevelopment programs, tax efficiencies, trends, planning, and cohesive design.

The conference was held November 8-9 in Bismarck.

701-223-1958

kate@downtownbismarck.com

Mission: To create a network of and provide a forum for Downtown stakeholders in North Dakota and surrounding regions for the purpose of Downtown Revitalization for Community Sustainability.

Presenters:

Planning Your City for Financial Stability Using Existing Infrastructure

Charles Marohn, PE AICP – Executive Director of Strong Towns:

The mission of Strong Towns is to support a model for growth that allows America’s towns to become financially strong and resilient.

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Implementing Change in Your Downtown: Revitalization and Organized Support

Dan Senftner – Chairman & CEO of Destination Rapid City-

Our Mission is to Foster downtown Rapid City through economic development, creating a vibrant business district rich in appeal for the Rapid City Community and its visitors.

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 ‘Main Street’ Program for North Dakota

Mike Hahn —  President & CEO of Fargo Moorhead Downtown Community Partnership-

Mission: Creating a Vital and Vibrant Downtown Fargo-Moorhead Area.

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Downtown Developments and Impact

Jason Tomanek

Downtown Planner with the City of Bismarck

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Respect for the Past, Gratitude for the Present, Inspiration for the Future

Kilbourne Group Presentation

Kilbourne Group was founded in 2006 by Doug Burgum with the mission of providing thoughtful leadership on the revitalization, smart growth and redevelopment of Fargo North Dakota’s downtown core. While the team’s efforts primarily focus on downtown Fargo, the principles are applicable anywhere.

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Business Improvement Districts, A New Tool for ND Development. 2011 ND Legislation now allows any city to use BID.

Margot Gillette- Economic Manager for Downtown Aberdeen, SD.

Vision: The City of Aberdeen and the BID will be a premiere place for doing business, living, learning, and raising a family. The strong city core will make Greater Aberdeen strong.

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Goals of the Conference

1. Educate Downtown stakeholders on the positive impacts of healthy Downtowns including but not limited to: economic impact, tax efficiencies, community sustainability, affordable housing, mixed used planning, civic participation, community’s sense of place, and historic preservation.

2. Provide a forum for Downtown Stakeholders to learn about revitalization programs, successful Downtown community programs, and action steps in forming Downtown revitalization groups and efforts.

Conference Narrative:

As Downtown Revitalization is trending strong throughout the United States and globally, it’s also made its way to North Dakota.  Over the last 10 years, some of the large communities have started the process of Downtown Rehabilitation.  It is our intention with the ND Downtown Conference to continue this trend and discussion about the importance of Downtowns in our state.  Downtowns have many positive tangible implications but there is also a large intangible, sense of place.  It’s an idea that your community has its own personality, its own style, something that is recognizable to its citizens and creates a sense of civic pride and participation.  It’s that intangible that our scholars will explore, and they’ll show us how it creates an economically sustainable and positive community.

Our expectation and outcome for this conference is to start the process of revitalization in North Dakota and regional Downtowns.  The attendees will gain the knowledge about Downtown impacts and programs, then action steps to start a Downtown organization or make policies to take and implement in their cities.  Each attendee will also be connected to the Downtowners of Bismarck and others to answer further questions or give assistance for each step of their revitalization efforts.

Accomodations

There is a special room rate at the Radisson of Bismarck 701-255-6000.

There is a room block at the Days Inn 701-223-9151.

There is also a room block at La Quinta Inn and Suites 701-751-3313.

 

Thank You to Our Great Sponsors!