The Downtowners’
City Center Newsletter
August 4, 2011
What You Will Find…
□ Urban Harvest
□ Downtown Updates
□ 40 Under 40/Best of the Best
□ Upcoming Events
□ Association News
Urban Harvest
Your friendly neighboorhood revolution…
The word “seasonal” when associated with good North Dakotaweather is interchangeable with “heavenly”. Outdoor events in Bismarckare relegated to a few short months, each event is savored, like biting into a peach at the peak of ripeness. Urban Harvest gives Bismarckthe taste of outdoor events every Thursday between the 4th of July and the start of school.
Starting as a grass roots effort in 2005, the event has carved out a place in the hearts of every outdoor lover in the community. Each Thursday Urban Harvest showcases local restaurants, farmer’s produce, artists and crafters as well as musicians and entertainers.
This kind of open air market is common in larger communities or mild weather cities and is a great event for our Downtown. It takes countless volunteers and hours of dedication to bring the event to the community each year.
Keep up the great work Urban Harvest!
Downtown Updates
-Motown group The Temptations are scheduled to appear at The Belle Mehus on October 13. Go to www.bismarckciviccenter.com for more information.
-UND Family Medicine building is expected to be in use by November or December. The new structure is located in between the two hospitals on 7th St andRosser Ave.
-URS Engineering has set up their initial offices in Downtown Bismarck in the MalloyBuildingon 4th St. Bridal ‘n More occupies the storefront of the same building.
-The Bismarck City Commission approved Dr. Rick Becker’s $3.1 million Renaissance Zone project. Also approved was Daymarck, a medical coding business locating in theCivic Squarebuilding. Both applications will now go to the state for their consideration.
-Developer Steve Pine and his Broadway Centre Renaissance Zone project were also brought back to the Bismarck City Commission for reconsideration. After discussion about the Renaissance Zone and its impact, the City Commission voted unanimously to accept his application as it was originally recommended. Commissioner Seminary proposed a six month moratorium on Renaissance Zone projects, which died for lack of a second. However, Commissioner Seminary requested to meet with the Renaissance Zone Authority and look at the program. The next RZA meeting is Tuesday Aug 16.
-Anyone interested in spaces for purchase or lease downtown can check out our website’s Real Estate Section. www.downtownbismarck.com
“40 Under 40” Business Watch Magazine
Downtowners’ Assistant Director Kate Herzog
We talk a lot about how the younger generation has embraced Downtown renewal. It’s no surprise then that Downtowners Association businesses employ some bright young talent. Ten were named from our member businesses as a “40 Under 40” in Business Watch magazine. Additionally, the Downtowners own Assistant Director Kate Herzog was also named (Executive Director Dawn Kopp was named in 2009). Jonathan Holth, Jackie Stebbins, Scott Bullinger, Emily Johnson, Scott Franz, Camie Lies, Jim Kambeitz, Billie Madler, April Eide, and Rebecca Molldrem. It’s great to see the member employees represent! Congratulations to all, the Downtown community is proud of you!
Bismarck Tribune’s Readers Choice Awards
13 Awarded “Best of the Best” in Downtown Bismarck…
Each year the Bismarck Tribune readers nominate and vote for Bismarck-Mandan’s Best of the Best. From Best Hamburger to Best Carwash, it’s all in there. The Downtowners are happy to announce that we had 13 Member Winners and even more in the top 3! Great job Downtowners!
Best Hair Salon: Glance Spa and Salon
Best Mexican Restaurant: Fiesta Villa
Best Tap Beer: TheBlarneyStone
Best Outdoor Bar: Fiesta Villa
Best Martini: Peacock Alley
Best Margarita: Fiesta Villa
Best French Fries: McDonalds
Best Optometry Clinic: Dakota Eye Institute
Best Local Artist: Gary Miller
Best New Business: The Toasted Frog
BestPark: Bis Parks andRecSertomaPark
BestTennis Court: Bis Parks and Rec Tom O’Leary Courts
Best Festival: TheDowntowners StreetFair
Find all the Bismarck Tribune’s “Best of the Best” reader’s choice awards here: http://bismarcktribune.com/choice/
Upcoming events
What’s Shakin Downtown…
Shade Tree Players
Summer Performance Schedule
Aug 4
1st Thursdays: Alive After 5!
Aug 4
Urban Harvest
4th and Broadway
Aug 6-7
Capital A’Fair
Bismarck Capitol www.bismarck-art.org
Aug 11
Young Professionals Network
Putt-n-Picnic
Aug 11
Urban Harvest
4th and Broadway
Aug 17
United Way’s
Day of Caring
Downtowners’ Association News
Organization and member news …
□ The Downtowners’ Association will be partnering with United Way’s Day of Caring on Aug 17. Volunteers will be Downtown all day to do some cleaning up and sprucing up!
□ Dacotah Speedway has named member Bismarck
CancerCenter’s Foundation as the beneficiary of their Drive to Survive Cancer benefit. Purchase a Drive to Survive T-Shirt and get in to the races FREE on Aug 19! There are also other fun activities that will support the BCC Foundation. Contact the BCC at 222-6100 or Ken Hoff at 391-6211.
□ Please contact the Downtowners’ if you haven’t received your renewal notice or if you have run out of spaces on your membership plaque for your 2011 tag.
□ Street Fair Applications are still being accepted. Most acceptance packets have been mailed. Visit the Street Fair page of our website to download your application! www.downtownbismarck.com.
The 38th Annual Downtowners Street Fair is Sept 16-17.
□ The Downtown Walking Maps have been finished; we will be making our way around to all the businesses that participated and delivering the new maps! Special thanks to Luke Graner for his beautiful work. You can also view it on our website. 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!