The Downtowners’
City Center Newsletter
April 26, 2012
What You Will Find…
□DowntownBismarckPlaza
□ Downtown Updates
□ Upcoming Events
□ Association News
Downtown Bismarck Plaza
Central Gathering Space for Bismarck…
New York City has Central Park, Boston has Quincy Market, and even Rapid City, SD has Main Street Square. Community spaces in Downtowns or along historic waterfronts give the community a central gathering space, a beautiful haven to engage with their fellow community members, a destination and sense of place, while adding value to our city by strengthening its authentic identity. Bismarck however, has no such space in the Downtown. Many of the recent transplants to Bismarck or those that have left to experience other places and returned, have lamented about Downtown Bismarck’s lack of a Public Plaza.
The March 30 Downtowners newsletter outlined some of the Downtown goals and objectives the City of Bismarck has identified with their recently adopted Strategic Plan. One of the most pressing was to create a Public Plaza in Downtown Bismarck. Goal 4 under Community Character: “Implement a public plaza or public open space along the north side of Broadway Avenue between 5th Street and 6th Street.”
It may seem like a Downtown Plaza is just a superficial amenity, but it really is the meat of our continued growth Downtown. A plaza is an essential part of creating our small urban center which attracts young professionals to our community, retains young families, attracts the “creative class” of professionals, increases Downtown residential opportunities for all ages, inspires new events, lures new businesses, and adds an authenticity to make Downtown Bismarck a destination for those within and outside of our community. Our board president at the Downtowners Dale Zimmerman of Peacock Alley always says that every community is judged by their Downtown. If you fly in to Bismarck or drive through and a visitor says, “show me Bismarck”, Downtown is always one of the first stops. It’s our mission to make it not only the best stop, but a place to stay.
If you are interested in working or would like to volunteer your time to help us develop a Downtown Plaza in Bismarck, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Featured Picture of Main StreetSquare inRapid City, SD. Opened Nov ’11. Photo from Rundell Ernstberger Associates LLC.
Downtowners Spring Member Mixer Tonight!
Join us for our Spring Member Mixer at Dakota Eye Institute, April 26 from 5-7pm. Network with other members, have light appetizers, and register to win door prizes including a pair of Ribfest VIP tickets worth $125! You may respond to this email, RSVP to the Evite you received last week, or call our office to RSVP at 701-223-1958. Dakota Eye Institute is located across the street from the Civic Center on 5th St and Front Ave. See you there!
Downtown Updates
— The No “Reparking” signs are continuing to be installed Downtown. The No “Reparking” ordinance is now in effect; however there will be a warning for your first offense.
— BNC Bank’s Downtown Lobby Location will be serving Root beer Floats and collecting Good Will Donations Thursday, May 17 from 12pm-2pm, with proceeds supporting the summer activities for the children staying in the Abused Adult Resource Center’s two shelters. With summer upon us there is a need for play equipment as well as entrance and activity fees for the children. These funds are scarce so come out and enjoy a “cool drink” and donate to a wonderful cause.
— The Medcenter One Great American Bike Race (GABR) is coming up on April 28, 2012. If you’re not familiar, GABR is an annual fundraising event created to help children and young adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities and their families to purchase equipment and services. Cerebral palsy is a physical disability caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain usually occurring before, during or shortly after birth. Many members of the Downtowners are a part of the fundraiser, donate and support GABR and your members. Currently the team fromAmericanBankCenter (Jake’s Jocks) is sitting among the top teams with collected donations!
— Bismarck Walk to Defeat ALS will be held Saturday, May 5 at Sertoma Park Community Center. 9am registration, 10am start time. The walk route is approximately 2 miles. Pre-registration is not required, but encouraged. Individuals and teams may register by visiting www.walktodefeatals.org or by contacting Chelsea Guggisberg, Special Events Coordinator (Chelsea@alsmn.org or 701-235-2399). All walkers are encouraged to raise at least $25. Snacks and refreshments will be available to all participants.
— The Bismarck Police Department is no longer marking tires with chalk as a monitoring system for timed parking. Instead they will use a handheld computer that will track the vehicles more accurately. Please let your customers and employees know of the new system.
Upcoming events
What’s Shakin Downtown
April 26 Tonight!
Downtowners Spring Mixer
Dakota Eye Institute 5-7pm
April 27
Bis-Man Symphony Youth Concert
Century High School
www.bismarckmandansymphony.org
April 28
Mecenter One Great American Bike Race
Century High School
May 3
1st Thursdays: Alive After 5!
Downtown Bismarck 5-8pm
May 3-13
Dakota Stage Presents:
Getting Sara Married
May 8
Robert Hall Winemaker’s Dinner
The Toasted Frog
RSVP @ 701-751-2229
May 11
Band Day Parade
5th Street
701-333-0285
Downtowners’ Association News
Organization and member news …
Welcome to our newest member Sweet Treats Cupcake Bar & Bakery. You can find owner Rachel’s information on our website www.downtownbismarck.com
□ Member BlackRidgeBANK is pleased to announce the addition of Brent Goetz as a Mortgage Loan Officer at the Bismarck location. Originally from Fargo, ND, Brent graduated from NDSU with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. In 2001, he moved to Bismarck ND, where he has resided for the past ten years. Brent has over 20 years of management and sales experience with the last five being dedicated to the mortgage industry. His background and strong work ethic provide him with knowledge and insight to assist his clients with all of their mortgage needs. Brent is committed to helping his clients achieve their dream of home ownership. Brent and BlackRidge now offer a wide variety of products for purchasing or refinancing a home, as well as financing for investment property.
□ Member Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra is having its fundraising rummage sale April 27-29 at Gateway Mall. www.bismarckmandansymphony.org
□ With all the curiosity around the new construction projects in Downtown Bismarck, we have added updated renderings, go to our website and see them on our “Real Estate section.www.downtownbismarck.com
□ 2012 Downtowners Membership Renewals will be sent out the month of your anniversary, be on the look out for yours!
□ The 39th Annual Downtowners Street Fair vendor applications were also be sent out in January. Those who participated in last years Street Fair will receive 2012 applications. Or you can download them at: www.downtownbismarck.com.
Please send all member business news and events to: kate@downtownbismarck.com.
Check the Downtown Business Association’s websites for updated news and events www.downtownbismarck.com or www.bismarckribfest.com.
Please forward this on to people interested in Downtown news!