The Downtowners’
City Center Newsletter
July 26, 2012
What You Will Find…
□Bismarck“Convention” Center
□ Downtown Updates
□ Upcoming Events
□ Association News
Bismarck “Convention” Center
Expansion would grow Downtown and Community Conventions…
In late June, the City of Bismarck directed staff to add a measure to the November ballot for citizens to consider a $50-60 million expansion to the Bismarck Civic Center. Essentially growing the facility into the market of large convention and conference hosting. With conferences and conventions needing more space and looking to locate to larger facilities, an expansion of the current facility would be a huge boon to Bismarck and the surrounding Downtown area. The Williston Basin Petroleum Conference is a great example of the economic impact an expansion can have on our community. Hotels booked solid, restaurants packed, shopping and retail in demand, and entertainment and service businesses having some of their best days of the year. The conference also produced massive amounts of visitor sales tax, liquor tax, and hotel tax.
The expansion doesn’t come without a cost. A new visitors’ tax, 2 percent on hotel rooms, 1 percent on food and 1 percent on liquor, would pay for the project. Other funds would be raised from sponsorships and naming rights. This method would help to ease the cost on community members. Expanding the current facility instead of building an alternate facility is also a money saver. By adding on to the existing facility on infrastructure that the community already maintains, instead of building new sewers and large roads and infrastructure at taxpayer expense and maintenance, is a much more economical proposal for the community.
An expansion of the Bismarck “Convention” Center would also have numerous positive impacts for the emerging small urban center in Bismarck’s Downtown. It is a unique situation to have a Convention Center, Regional Shopping Mall, and Downtown located within blocks of each other. These three amenities, when properly tied together, can create an attractive and financially successful urban and walkable district for our community and for visitors experiencing what we have to offer. At Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, the board directed staff to seek offers from hotel companies wanting to locate near theCivicCenter. Making the expansion an even more attractive facility for these economically positive conventions and conferences. We’ll explore the details of the expansion in future newsletters, so stay tuned!
Click on the featured picture to see a conceptual rendering of the addition and expansion.
Downtowners Art & Wine Walk Saturday
This Saturday, we are hosting our 1st Downtowners Art & Wine Walk from 1-5pm in Downtown Bismarck. Sample 18 unique wine selections, experience and interact with local artists and musicians, and explore 18 fabulous Downtown businesses. Bring your friends and get your passports stamped at each location for your best chances to win door prizes from the businesses. Tickets are limited and can be purchased in advance for $40 at BAGA and Impact Gallery & Gifts. Tickets will also be available for $45 the day of the event at the Toasted Frog and Peacock Alley starting at noon. Visit www.downtownbismarck.com for ticket and event information.
Urban Harvest July 26
A favorite summer event in Downtown continues its 2012 Market Season today on the corner of 4th and Broadway in Downtown Bismarck from 10am-8pm. Enjoy food, arts & craft booths, farmers market produce, and entertainment and music. Each Thursday through August 16, they’ll be set up Downtown, be sure to stop by for lunch, dinner, and evening entertainment. For a list of entertainers, visit www.bismarckurbanharvest.org. If you are looking to be a market vendor, you may also find applications on their website.
Downtown Updates
–Bread Poets in Downtown Bismarck was approved for a Renaissance Zone project expansion of their current facility by the Board of City Commissioners on Tuesday night. The one-story expansion just east of their existing two-story facility would add up to 1,200 sqft needed by the bakery. The purpose of the expansion is to add to their production output and not meant to be additional retail space. With the addition of two Sonnet’sSandwichshops, and their outlets at Dan’s SuperMarkets, the company is hoping the expansion gives them room to keep up with the increasing demand for their delicious bakery items. The application will now go to the state for approval.
— The Bismarck Parking Authority is now offering free evening parking from 4pm to 2am daily through the end of the year. 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. 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.
Soul Interiors Opens in Downtown Bismarck
— A new boutique and home décor store has opened on 5th Street in Downtown Bismarck. Formerly the home of Country Barn, Soul Interiors has a wide selection of home interior and home décor items. Leslie also had in home décor consultations. You can find them on Facebook or www.mysoulinteriors.com.
Upcoming events
What’s Shakin Downtown…
July 26
Urban Harvest
DowntownBismarck
July 26-29
Shade Tree Players Present
Charlotte’s Web
July 28
Blue Grass Goes Pink
Bismarck Cancer Center Fundraiser
July 28, 1-5pm
Downtowners Art & Wine Walk
18 Downtown Establishments
July 28-Aug 1
Sleep Hollow Presents
The Sound of Music
Aug 4-5
BAGA Presents
Capital A’fair
Downtowners’ Association News
Organization and member news …
You can find all of our member’s information at: www.downtownbismarck.com
□ Member Cumulus Media’s local stations will soon become part of Townsquare Media. Townsquare Media is looking for a Digital Managing Editor and Digital Sales Manager for their Bismarck-Mandan market. Click here to read the job descriptions and apply today!
http://downtownbismarck.com/member-directory/townsquare-media
□ The 39th Annual Downtowners Street Fair vendor applications can be downloaded at: www.downtownbismarck.com.
□ Member Abused Adult Resource Center will be hosting their 8th Annual “Spike Out Violence” sand volleyball tournament July 28-29. For more information call Katie at 701-222-8370
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!