2014 & Beyond
Beginning of the Next Stage
A Year of Key Projects Downtown
Momentum is about building speed. Over the last decade, revitalization of Downtown Bismarck has picked up the pace. With 42 new retail, restaurant, and walk-in service businesses alone in just the past 20 months. Not counting dozens of new offices and professional services in the city center. But speed isn’t the only key to momentum, it’s also about knowing which domino to knock over first, creating a ripple effect that touches each domino. 2013 was a year to study that larger picture. What projects and services does Downtown Bismarck need to keep building on our momentum? The Downtown Master Plan Final Draft was accepted by the Bismarck City Commission in December 2013, laying a blue-print for sustaining momentum Downtown. Public Gathering Spaces, Infill Projects, Infrastructure Changes, and Aesthetics were keys of the plan that will be moving forward in 2014. As the year progresses, you’ll be hearing more about new endeavors designed to take Downtown Bismarck to the next level. We encourage you to be a part of the process, stay in tune with the progress, and dig in with us. This is Bismarck’s opportunity to revive our uniqueness, something essential to a growing community looking to stay competitive in our region and loved in our community. If you have an interest in any of the projects Downtown, we’d love to hear from you. You may view them all here: www.downtownbismarckstudy.com. Looking forward to another exciting year in Downtown Bismarck.
Jan 8 Annual Meeting
Election Results
Proxy & Board Votes
Thank you to all our members for voting in person or by proxy at our Annual Board of Directors meeting on January 8. Retiring from the board were: Jonathan Holth (The Toasted Frog), Brett Gurholt (KLJ), Dave Mason (American Bank Center), and Justin Walsh (Todaymade). We want to thank all the them for their years of support for our organization! Welcome to our newest members as well: Steph Smith (A Creative Outlet), Brett Donat (EAPC), and Troy Tieszen (Town Square Media). And a big thank you to our returning members. The 2014 Board Roster is as follows:
2014 Executive Committee
President: Dale Zimmerman- Peacock Alley American Grill and Bar
Vice President: Chuck Watson- Sam’s Club
Secretary: Kristy Rempher- BNC Bank
Treasurer: Jeff Japel- New York Life
2014 Directors
Amber Bernhardt- Dakota Stage Theater
Brett Donat: EAPC Architects Engineers
Steph Smith: A Creative Outlet
Blake Preszler: Plainview
Troy Tieszen: Town Square Media
Kent Anderson-Sanford Health
Wendy Anderson-Berg- Bismarck Parks & Rec
Downtown Bismarck
News & Updates
-The Downtown Master Plan was accepted by the Bismarck City Commission at their December 17 meeting. Recommendations to appoint an Implementation Committee have been requested. Please visit www.downtownbismarckstudy.com to see the Final Draft in its entirety.
-Repair work on the Galleria Parking Ramp continues. Engineers are looking at tendons in the ramp and assessing it’s condition. The Bismarck Parking Authority received a full report from their structural engineering on possible further study of the condition of the tendons at key locations in the ramp. The ramp is still fully usable, this has been part of routine maintenance and assessment of their parking structures. The Galleria Ramp is 30 years old.
–Lucky Ducks Deli on 3rd Street is expanding. Owners Russ and Heather Kadlec have started dirt work just south of their current location to break ground for the addition.
-Construction continues on the Sixth and Thayer Parking Ramp. Portions of off-street parking adjacent to the project along 6th Street and Thayer Ave have been closed. Please consider using the parking ramps if off street parking is full.
–If you are considering a downtown development or renovation of a Downtown building, the CORE Incentive Programs are once again available through the City of Bismarck. The CORE Programs currently active are Façade Improvements, Housing Incentive Grant, Technical Assistance Bank, and Sidewalk Subsurface Infill. The programs are designed to encourage reinvestment, rehabilitation, and new development in the Downtown area. For more information contact the Downtowners or Jason Tomanek at the City of Bismarck at 701-355-1849.
– The Bismarck Parking Authority is offering free evening parking in the 3rd and Main Ramp from 4pm to 2am daily. With continued activity and nightlife in Downtown Bismarck, the ramps allow the public to enjoy the city center and not have to search for street parking. *How the After Hour Complementary Parking Works: Use the entrance to the 3rd & Main Ramp on 3rd Street. Pull into the ramp and pull a time stamped ticket. The arm will raise and allow the car through to park. When exiting the ramp, simply use the hourly lane and deposit your ticket in the slot, the arm will already be raised to allow the cars to exit. There is no leeway on timing. If you enter at 3:59pm or exit at 2:01am, the customer will be charged the normal hourly rate.
Downtowners’ Association
Member News
Welcome to the newest member of the Downtowners Association! You can find all our members information at www.downtownbismarck.com
Crabapple Floral
303 E Main Ave
Bismarck ND
www.crabappleflowers.com
-Holiday Window Contest winners, as voted on by our membership! Thanks Everyone for participating! Winners will be contact by the Downtowners with prizes.
1st Place- Sweet Treats Cupcake Bar & Bakery
2nd Place- Soul Interiors
3rd Place- Brady Martz & Associates
Critic’s Choice- Right on Broadway
– Congratulations to Cindy Schaff at Member Dakota Community Bank & Trust to 25 years at the bank. Great job Cindy!
–Member Branded Envy is having an event featuring actors/actresses from the ND made movie “Last Summer for Boys”. The DVD will be available for purchase as well as door prizes and other evening events. Join them Tuesday January 14 from 4-7pm, or get more information on Branded Envy’s Facebook page.
–Member One World is having their Annual Inventory Sale Jan 10-11. Up to 40% off, don’t miss out!
-Send all member news and events to Kate@downtownbismarck.com.
What’s Shakin’ Downtown?
Events Downtown
Jan 18
Bis-Man Symphony Presents:
Novels on the Silver Screen
www.bismarckmandansymphony.org
Thru Jan 25
BAGA Exhibit
Sundogs & Sunflowers
www.bismarck-art.org
Thru Feb 1
Bismarck Downtown Artist Coop
Exhibit: Out with the Old
www.bismarckdac.com
Jan 30-Feb 9
Dakota Stage Presents:
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
www.dakotastageltd.com