Sidewalk Seating Downtown
Restaurants Add Outdoor Seating
Summer of 2013 Downtown
Three restaurants/pubs in Downtown Bismarck were approved for sidewalk seating. A staple of other Downtowns across the country, sidewalk activity was somewhat frowned upon in Bismarck. However the city staff and a few Downtown business owners were able to work out agreements to place seating and fencing for patrons of the Downtown to use. The city commission also voiced their support for the activation of the sidewalks by approving the applications unanimously. The first three sidewalk seating areas approved were Laughing Sun Brewing, Fireflour Pizza, and Peacock Alley, all on 5th Street. We’d like to thank the city and the business owners for working together and making Downtown even more of a destination. Remember to go through the proper channels when considering placing something on the sidewalk.
Also new to Downtown Bismarck is the first on-street bicycle parking! Peacock Alley worked with the City of Bismarck to install a large bike rack on 5th Street that holds 14 bikes. Owners Dale and Melodie Zimmerman furnished the rack for any Downtown patron to use. The rack is removable in the winter months for street cleaning.
2013 Ribfest June 13-15
6th Annual Downtowners’ Rip Roarin’ Ribfest
The Downtown Business Association of Bismarck announces their schedule for the 6thAnnual Downtowners’ Rip Roarin’ Ribfest brought to you by Hot Spring Spas June 13-15 at the Bismarck Civic Center Lot D. Five national “Ribbers” will be barbequing ribs with all the fixins while competing for crowd favorite. New to this year’s Ribfest are National Ribbers Rasta Joe’s Jamaican style BBQ, and Porky Chicks Arkansas BBQ. Returning are Veteran Ribbers Johnson’s Virginia style BBQ, Howlin’ Coyote BBQ hailing from Chicago, and back to back Ribfest People’s Choice Winner Porky ‘n Beans BBQ .
Cloverdale Foods will also be serving up their own line of ribs in the Ribfest VIP Tent. VIP tickets are available online at www.bismarckribfest.com.
In addition to barbeque, ribs, and fair food favorites, the three day Ribfest will have live music, vendor booths, a beer tent for adults, and inflatable games for kids by Games to Go.
Live music begins at 5PM Thursday and Friday, and noon on Saturday. Regional bands October Road, Slamabama, and Bed of Roses (the #1 Bon Jovi Tribute Band) will headline the stage starting at 7:30PM nightly.
Ribfest hours are 11AM-11PM Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 13-15. Admission is $5 for an adult day pass. Kids 12 and under are free as well as military service members with current military identification. There will be free lunch admission Thursday and Friday from 11AM-1PM, as well as $2 off admission to Ribfest if you show your Professional Bull Riding ticket at the gate.
Kicking off Ribfest week will be the Ribfest Road Races June 8 at Sertoma Park Shelter 11. Racers can choose from a 5K Walk, 5K Run, or 10K Run, with the medal ceremony following the race at BisMarket in Sertoma Park. Registration is $25, with racers receiving a t-shirt and Ribfest day pass.
Ribfest 2013 Fundraiser is sponsored by: 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 and other
local businesses. Proceeds from Ribfest support the Downtowners 501c6 nonprofit
working to revitalize and promote the Downtown area for the community.
For general information on the entertainment schedule, vendor and sponsor booths, to register for the Road Races or to purchase Cloverdale VIP Tickets visit www.bismarckribfest.com.
Downtown Bismarck
News & Updates
– The Sixth and Thayer Parking Ramp Bids were approved by the Bismarck City Commission May 28. One bid was received for the ramp construction, which came in just under $13 Million. Ramp cost estimates were around $6 Million three years ago. Due to the construction time delay brought on by the TIF Lawsuit initiated by Lincoln resident Erling “Curly” Haugland, the ramp costs jumped nearly $7 Million dollars, more than the original cost of the ramp in 2010. Construction should begin soon.
–The Downtown Master Plan is continues in Downtown Bismarck. The 2nd Public Input Meeting was held May 28 at the Bismarck Civic Center. 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.
Downtowners’ Association
Member News
The Downtowners Welcome New Members:
106 Antiques, Ameriprise Financial, Annex 208, Junkyard Chic, Right on Broadway
You can find all our members information at www.downtownbismarck.com
-Member One Source Lighting announces that Shawna Hastings will join their business as a Lighting Specialist serving area home builders. You can find her at 701-258-4400.
-The Event, a 5K All Terrain run at Huff Hills on June 29, will be donating a portion of their proceeds to Member The Bismarck Cancer Center. For event and registration info, visit www.huffhills.eventbrite.com.
-Member AARC will present its Annual Sgt. Steve Kenner Lifesaver Award on June 13. Call 701-222-8370 for more information on the event.
-Send all member news and events to Kate@downtownbismarck.com.
What’s Shakin’ Downtown?
Events Downtown
June 7
Bismarck Art & Galleries Assoc
Annual Meeting and Reception
www.bismarck-art.org
June 8
Ribfest Road Races
Sertoma Park Shelter 11
www.bismarckribfest.com
June 8
BisMarket Farmer’s Market
9am-1pm
Sertoma Park Shelter #5
June 13-15
Downtowners Ribfest
Bismarck Civic Center Lot D
www.bismarckribfest.com
June 14
Bismarck Downtown Artist Coop
Artist Reception 5:30pm
222 N 4th St
June
Dakota Stage LTD
Shade Tree Events
www.dakotastageltd.com