The Downtowners’ City Center Newsletter
February 24, 2011
What You Will Find…
□ Demolition Begins
□ DBA Events Set
□ Downtown Updates
□ Upcoming Events
□ DBA Association News/Mixer Photos
Demolition on Downtown Spaces Begins
Linssen, Wilhelm, and Dakota Twin Properties…
Over the last few weeks there have been some very noticeable changes to the
Image Courtesy of Magic Photo Art
downtown landscape. As mentioned in the Feb 10 E-Newsletter, the Linssen properties west of the Belle Mehus were taken down. Medcenter One is working on that space and it will soon become surface parking for the hospital.
Last week, a large crane was seen in west downtown starting on the demolition of the former Wilhelm car lot. The initial idea for that entire city block located on Mandan St and Broadway Ave, is a mixed use structure with some housing in the form of condos.
The latest change is happening blocks away on the corner of 4th St and Rosser Ave. Over the last couple of days, temporary fencing was placed around the building and yesterday the exterior demolition of the old Dakota Twin Theater began. Opened in 1951, the Dakota Theater was one of a handful of Theaters that have been located in the historic Downtown District. Over 20 years after first opening, the theater expanded to the Dakota Twin. In use for over 40 years, the Theatre was last used to show movies in mid-90s. Other businesses have occupied space there in the last decade and a half. Most recently Simply Salads, whose store front faced 4th St.
Developer Loran Galpin has submitted plans for a 3 story office structure on the property to be completed in 2012. (Photo Courtesy of www.magicphotoart.com)
Downtowners Event Dates Set
Ribfest and Street Fair 2011…
The Downtowners are proud to announce the dates of the 2 biggest events of the year! The 4th Annual Downtowners’ Rip-Roarin Ribfest will take place June 16-18 at the Bismarck Civic Center. National “Ribbers” will be cooking up tasty BBQ with all the fixins. There is also live music all 3 days, kid’s games, vendor booths and much more! The Ribfest Fun Run date has also been set. There will be a 10k Run and 5k Walk/Run leading up to 4th Annual Ribfest on June 11 at Sertoma Park!
For information on Ribfest or how to become involved you can contact the DBA office or visit www.bismarckribfest.com
One of the longest fairs in the city is returning for its 38th Year! The Downtowners Street Fair will be September 16-17 in Downtown Bismarck. Over 180 food, arts, and craft vendors will be setting up downtown and offering their wares.
For more information you can contact the DBA office.
If you’d like a vendor application for Street Fair, please email getit@downtownbismarck.com.
Downtown updates
Parking Ramps, CORE Changes, Downtown Design
-With the continued growth downtown, we’d like to remind everyone how to use the 3 public Parking Ramps. Visit www.bismarckparkingauthority.com for the how-to’s, rates, and usage.
-Changes were approved to the City of Bismarck’s CORE Policy. The City Commission is not requiring approval for projects before they can begin. The change has been approved on a temporary basis until more information on the TIF Lawsuit is finalized. This would allow projects to move forward faster. Staff has been instructed to only hand out already existing information on the CORE Program and not offer any other assistance until more is known.
-Some changes have been approved by the Planning Commission relating to Downtown Design. To view them go to: www.bismarck.org/planning.
-The Belle Project grass roots committee will be having another concert on March 20 at the Belle Mehus Auditorium. For tickets or information on the Belle Project visit Facebook or: www.bismarckciviccenter.com. Performers scheduled for the March 20 show are The Midnight Noise Orchestra, Luke Graner, and Richard Torrance.
Upcoming events
What’s Shakin…
Feb 25
Dixieland Jazz Mardi Gras
Bis-Man Symphony
BSC National Energy Center
Feb 26-27
Choreographers Showcase
Northern Plains Ballet
Belle Mehus
March 2
Winemakers Seminar
Peacock Alley
For Tickets Call: 255-7917
March 3
1st Thursdays Downtown:
Alive After 5!
5-8pm
www.downtownbismarck.com
March 4
BAGA Wine Tasting
Bismarck Country Club
www.bismarck-art.org
March 5
Bis-Man Symphony’s
Wild & Wooly Wing Ding
Radisson Hotel
www.bismarckmandansymphony.org
March 17-27
Dakota Stage Presents:
Twelve Angry Men
www.dakotastageltd.com
Downtowners’ Association News
New Members, Organization news, and more….
□ DBA Member Warren’s Locks and Keys is celebrating their 40 Year Anniversary this year. Congratulations!
□ CC’s Physical Therapy will be having a number of events starting March 10. Go to www.ccsbismarck.com for the entire schedule! Baby classes, marathon-running classes, women’s self-defense classes, and more!
□ The next 1st Thursdays Downtown- Alive After 5 will be March 3 from 5pm-8pm. Please let Dawn know if you’ll be participating. Getit@downtownbismarck.com.
□ Membership Renewal Notices were mailed out in late December. Please contact the Downtowners’ office if you haven’t received your renewal notice or if you have run out of spaces on your membership plaque for your 2011 tag.
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!
Photos from the Downtowners’ February Member Mixer at the
Bismarck Cancer Center! See below: