Bismarck Urban Harvest
Group Set to Kick Off 2013 Season
6 Weeks Starting July 11
The Summer of 2013 marks the ninth season of Urban Harvest. Every Thursday from July 11 through August 15, downtown Bismarck will be transformed into a picturesque open-air market that features a variety of local artists, crafters, food vendors, farmers and entertainers. Located in Historic Downtown Bismarck, on the corner of 4th and Broadway, Urban Harvest market hours are 10:00am to 8:00pm. In addition, the Urban Harvest stage offers a children’s hour, noon performance and an evening concert at 6:00-7:30 pm.
If you are interested in being a vendor at this season’s Urban Harvest, visit www.bismarckurbanharvest.org. For the complete music, vendor, and activity schedule, you can also visit the above address. See at the market!
Master Plan Moving Along
Downtowners Stakeholder Meeting +
Second Public Workshop Held
The Downtown Sub-Area Study, more commonly know as the Downtown Master Plan is cruising right along. The Downtowners Board and Staff recently had a chance to sit down with the consultants running the study as well as local staff and discuss the needs and vision for the future of Downtown Bismarck. Additionally, Downtowners members and the community attended the second Public Workshop to get an update on the progress and voice their ideas.
The meeting began with the study consultants Crandal Arambula, going over some of the “Game Changer” projects they’ve identified after the first Public Workshop. These ranged from public plazas and green spaces, to parking ramps and new construction. Attendees also got the scoop on some possible street configuration changes and aesthetic improvements. After some discussion about the presentation and ideas, each table gave a report about the high points and areas of improvement their table discussed.
There are still more Public Workshops and we are encouraging the community and our members to get engaged with the study! Visit www.downtownbismarckstudy.com to keep tabs on the progress and next Public Workshops.
Another Successful Ribfest!
Thank You Bismarck-Mandan!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Downtowners at the 6th Annual Downtowners Rip- Roarin Ribfest! We had great weather, delicious BBQ and fun entertainment! All proceeds will go to the Downtowners 501c6 Non-Profit to support Downtown Revitalization. We’d like to take this chance to thank everyone who made this possible, including all our volunteers and sponsors:
Please considering supporting these sponsors with your business:
Hot Spring Spas, Cloverdale Foods, Jerome Distributing and Coors Light, McQuade Distributing and Budweiser, Eide Ford, Titan Machinery, Image Printing, KFYR TV, Armor Interactive, Town Square Media, Dakota Community Bank & Trust, American Bank Center, Tao Interactive, BNC Bank, Starion Financial, Sam’s Club, Kirkwood Bank & Trust, ABC Seamless, MVP, Ferrell Gas, CJ Rigging, Bismarck Parks and Rec, Coca-Cola, Kirkwood Mall, Games to GO, Ferrellgas, The City of Bismarck, Spiffy Biffs.
We’d also like to thank these groups and individuals for volunteering.
RSVP+, The Boy Scouts, BNC Bank, Starion Bank, Lilly Puhalla, Kirkwood Bank, Bismarck Mandan Young Professionals, Cloverdale Foods, and more!
Downtowners’ Association
Member News
You can find all our members information at www.downtownbismarck.com
-Welcome to the newest member of the Downtowners’ Association:
Tobacco Free North Dakota
212 N 2nd Street
www.tfnd.org
-Recently Members Pirogue Grille, Peacock Alley, and FireFlour Pizza participated in the ND Bloggers and Writers Workshop put on by ND Tourism. Participants toured these three Downtown eateries and sampled their Bismarck flavor. Famed food columnist Marilyn Hagerty from the Grand Forks Herald was also on the tour and wrote a column on her experience in Downtown Bismarck. Click here to read Marilyn’s column: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/266437/
-Member Hotwire Cafe, Inside the Bismarck Public Library, owned and operated by Rachael and Matt Neva – has been serving up delicious Paninis made with Bread Poet’s bread, fresh meats and great cheese delights. Right now the foods are a bit of a kept secret that often times library patrons only know about. Now they are looking to expand their catering portion of the business. “We are looking to connect with more businesses so we can cater sandwiches and drinks for meetings and special events,” Neva said. “I am especially looking to meet with more businesses who are members of the Downtowners Association…” You can find Hotwire Cafe on Facebook.
-Send all member news and events to Kate@downtownbismarck.com.
Downtown Bismarck
News and Updates
– The Bismarck City Commission approved three Renaissance Zone Projects at their June 25 meeting. The first is an expansion of Red Wing Shoes located in the Parkade Building on 6th and Broadway. Owner Troy Barber says their expansion will also include some work wear as well as their well known boots. A new $3 Million construction project for United Printing was also approved. Located near their current location, United Printing’s project is a new trend to revitalize the further boundaries of Downtown. And lastly, a rental property on West Broadway near the Dairy Queen has a new owner who plans to add significant improvements making it ready for apartments.
– The Bismarck City Commission received and awarded bids subject to review for the Bismarck Civic Center Convention Expansion. Jeff Ubl, architect for the project said bids came in about 6% higher than estimates, with multiple bids on various parts of the project. A percentage Ubl was happy with considering the current construction climate. Bids came in at just over $26 Million and the bulk of the project will be ready for next year’s petroleum conference. Funds for the project will not be coming from property or sales tax increase, rather through existing hospitality tax.
– Construction has begun on the Sixth and Thayer Parking Ramp. Bids were approved by the Bismarck City Commission May 28.
–The Downtown Master Plan continues in Downtown Bismarck. To review the newest concepts and voice your opinion, visit: www.downtownbismarckstudy.com.
–The Cowan Bldg development continues on the corner of 4th and Broadway. The sidewalk in front of the building will be closed during construction (south side of the block). The sidewalk could be open by June.
–Quiet Rail Zones are moving forward at 3rd, 5th and 12th Streets in Downtown Bismarck. At the Feb 26 City Commission meeting, the engineering firm SRF entered into their contract with the city to install the extra safety measures and work with the Federal Railway Administration.
–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 and Signage Grant, 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 all the new 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.
What’s Shakin’ Downtown?
Events Downtown
June 28-30
Sam McQuade Softball Tournament
Bismarck-Mandan Diamonds
www.mcquades.com
July 4
Bis-Man Symphony Presents:
4th of July Spectacular @ Capitol
www.bismarckmandansymphony.org
July 10
Brown Bag Lunch Downtown
Courthouse Lawn
www.dakotawestarts.org
July 11
Bismarck Urban Harvest
10am in Downtown Bismarck
www.bismarckurbanharvest.org
August 8
Downtowners Art & Wine Walk
20 Locations Downtown
www.downtownbismarck.com