January 3 Downtown E-News

The Downtowners’

City Center Newsletter

January 3, 2013

What You Will Find…

□ 2013 Preview- Part 1

□ Downtown Updates

□ Upcoming Events

□ Association News

Downtown Bismarck 2013 Preview- Part 1

Things happening Downtown in 2013

2012 was an exciting year in Downtown Bismarck.  Many new businesses opened their doors, veteran establishments had great success, and building projects started, finished, and continued.  2013 is shaping up to be just as exciting. Here are just a few things to look forward to in the upcoming year.

A Quiet Rail Zone will most likely be installed in 2013 if BNSF and the city finish all the behind the scenes paper work soon.  Quiet Rail Zones add extra safety measures on railroad crossings so that the trains are not required to routinely blow their whistles, only in cases of emergency.  Quiet Rail spurs on housing and hotel development, as well as provides much needed relief for those businesses it has negatively affected.  Look for the QRZ on crossings at 3^rd St, 5^th St, and 12^th St.

A New Parking Ramp, or at least the plans for one, are quickly moving along for 6^th St & Thayer Ave.  Look for construction to start on this new ramp in 2013 barring any unforeseen circumstances.

The Gulch Block is set to open in 2013 at 510 E Main Ave.  Completion of the infill project has been eagerly anticipated.  Look for this multi-use building to have at least two restaurants, a lounge, rooftop terrace, commercial space, and office space.  The building is also connected into the Parkade Ramp via skywalk.

New businesses are opening in Downtown Bismarck in 2013, including those in the Gulch Block and on the boarders of Downtown.  One in particular set to open its doors in 2013 is Right on Broadway, a new boutique moving into the former Urban Girl space on Broadway.

Downtown will go mobile in 2013 with the addition of a couple mobile boutiques to mix in with the growing food truck movement.  Keep an eye out for The Scarlet Gypsy and Koo Koo’s Nest mobile boutiques on the streets of Downtown as the warmer weather approaches.

The Cowan Building on the corner of 4^th and Broadway has sat empty for the past year, and the upper floors empty for the better part of a decade.  This iconic building in Downtown Bismarck has been in dire need of repairs.  Developer Loran Galpin is managing the new project for Redland LLC, look for renovations to start this winter on one of the last larger buildings in Downtown Bismarck in need of revitalization.

These are just some of the things happening 2013. Stay tuned to the next newsletter for Part 2, we will detail more things happening in Downtown this year, including more construction, events, anniversaries, and the Master Plan.  Great job members, let’s keep this Downtown momentum going strong in 2013 and beyond!

Holiday Window Contest Winners!

Thank you all for participating in this year’s Free for All window decorating contest!  This year we let you, the members, vote for the winners!  The top four were separated by less than 15 votes. Drum roll! The Top 3 member winners are:

1. JLG Architects 2. Todaymade 3. Sweet Treats Cupcake Bar & Bakery.

Critic’s Choice winner, chosen by a longtime Downtown local, is Dakota Media Access, for their interactive fireplace theme.  Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who participated!  We will continue this member ballot theme for 2013, so start planning now.  Prizes to the winners will be set out in January.

Downtown Updates

— B.C. Bagels is open in the former Smoothie Operator space at 801 E Main Ave.  They have freshly made bagels, breakfast sandwiches, daily specials, and a variety of cream cheeses.  You can find out more at www.bc-bagels.com.

— At the September 25 Bismarck City Commission meeting, the city determined that the CORE Programs used for Downtown revitalization, can now be used again.  What does this mean?  Property and business owners can once again apply for the CORE Façade & Signage Grant for their property.  Owners or developers looking to create housing in Downtown Bismarck can apply for the Housing Incentive Grant.  There are also grants for Sidewalk Subsurface Infill and a Technical Assistance Bank.  Please contact Bismarck’s Downtown Planner Jason Tomanek for more information.  701-355-1849.

— The Bismarck Parking Authority has made free evening parking permanent in the 3^rd and Main ramp from 4pm to 2am daily.  With all the new activity and nightlife in Downtown Bismarck, the ramps will allow the public to enjoy the city center and not have to look for street parking.  Thank you to the Authority members and Downtowners members on making this program permanent.

— Snow removal policy for sidewalks.  All properties must have snow removed from sidewalks AND corner curb cuts 24 hours after snowfall.  Failure to do so can result in liability claims.  Please clean your sidewalks Downtown, since visitors use them to get to all our great businesses. Missing one sidewalk can make the difference in coming downtown for people who find it difficult to get around. Thanks!

1^st Thursdays Tonight- 5-8pm

1^st Thursdays Alive After 5 is tonight, Jan 3!  Join us in Downtown Bismarck while our businesses stay open late and offer great deals.  You can find a map with all the specials at www.downtownbismarck.com.

Upcoming events

What’s Shakin Downtown…

Jan 3

1^st Thursdays: Alive After 5

5-8pm

www.downtownbismarck.com

Jan 4

Bismarck Downtown Artist Co-op

Exhibit Reception

701-202-3400

Jan 4

Bismarck Art & Galleries Assoc.

Exhibit Reception

www.bismarck-art.org

Jan 6

Fiancee Opening Day

Sun @ 12pm

114 N 5^th St

Jan 10

Chamber’s Annual Dinner

6-9pm

Bismarck Civic Center

Jan 12

Comic: Lisa Lampanelli

Belle Mehus

www.bismarckciviccenter.com/belle