The Downtowners’
City Center Newsletter
March 10, 2011
What You Will Find…
□ Strategic Planning and Quiet Rail
□ Closure of Downtown Post Office Possible
□ Downtown Updates
□ Upcoming Events
□ DBA Association News/PO Letter
Downtown and City Options Discussed
Strategic Planning and Quiet Rail…
Things in Bismarck look pretty rosy compared to other cities in the nation, but resting is not an option. That was the theme of Mayor Warford and Commissioner Askvig’s presentation on the next Strategic Planning Initiative for Bismarck.
The City is looking for input by the public and stakeholder groups using a number of formats. There will be public input meetings, a website form, and for the first time social media pages. The public can share their Strategic Planning ideas via Facebook and Twitter. The first Bismarck community stakeholder input meeting will be March 17 from 1pm-3pm at the Bismarck Public Library.
You can also visit www.bismarck.org to find social media links, web forms, and more information.
Also discussed at the City Commission meeting following the Strategic Planning announcement was a Quiet Rail Zone in Bismarck. The Commission unanimously approved the following actions studying a possible Quiet Rail Zone:
● File a notice of intent with the Federal Railroad Administration to improve Third, Fifth and 12th streets’ crossings per the SRF Consulting Engineering report.
● Request permission to apply to North Dakota Department of Transportation for $225,000 in funding to allow for potential quiet rail construction.
● Request permission to correspond with BNSF Railway about its standards and the cost of the improvements. The railroad must design and install the equipment and invoice the city.
The cost will not be known for 4-6 weeks and this doesn’t bind the city to any action regarding the Quiet Rail Zone installation. QRZ is one of the key pieces that would continue to spur development in the downtown area. With both the Strategic Planning and QRZ ideas, the Downtowners encourage you to make your voices heard and give community leaders your valuable input.
Possible Downtown Post Office Closure
PO Boxes and Retail could be closed Downtown…
In a letter from the Bismarck Postmaster dated March 4, possible closure of theDowntown Post Office
location is being looked at. If the Downtown location closes, the PO Boxes and Retail (stamps and shipping) would be moved toE Bismarck Expressway by the south Wal-Mart.
The Downtown Business Association is opposed to this closure idea. It would be highly inconvenient for Downtown Business owners to drive out to the Expressway Facility to pick up their mail. The Downtown area is a highly concentrated business area with over 600 businesses. Keeping the facility centrally located is also the best option for other PO Box holders and customers of the Downtown Post Office. The convenience of the Downtown Post Office can be a significant amenity for current business in addition to new businesses considering coming into the area.
The Postmaster is looking for feedback from PO Box holders and customers of the Downtown Post Office. Attached at the end of this newsletter is the March 4 letter. Please take the time to discourage this closure by calling or returning your feedback form by March 25. Let’s keep our Downtown thriving.
Downtown updates
Parking Ramps, CORE Changes, Off-Sale, Belle Project…
-With the continued growth downtown, we’d like to remind everyone how to use the 3 public Parking Ramps. Visit www.bismarckparkingauthority.com for the how-to’s, rates, and usage.
-Changes were approved to the City of Bismarck’s CORE Policy. The City Commission is not requiring approval for projects before they can begin. The change has been approved on a temporary basis until more information on the TIF Lawsuit is finalized. This would allow projects to move forward faster. Staff has been instructed to only hand out already existing information on the CORE Program and not offer any other assistance until more is known.
-The City Commission recently approved Sunday off-sale in Bismarck. Liquor stores and establishments that sell off-sale could sell alcohol on Sundays from 12pm-10pm.
-The Belle Project Concert will be on Sunday, March 20 at the Belle Mehus Auditorium. For tickets or information on the Belle Project visit Facebook or: www.bismarckciviccenter.com. Performers scheduled for the March 20 show are The Midnight Noise Orchestra, Luke Graner, and Richard Torrance!
Upcoming events
What’s Shakin?
March 17-27
Twelve Angry Men
Dakota Stage Presents:
March 17, 20, 24, 26
Dinner and a Show
Peacock Alley and
Dakota Stage
March 17
St. Patrick’s Day!
Come Downtown for Drinks!
March 19-20
Bis-Man Symphony Orchestra
Keith Bear &
The New World Symphony
www.bismarckmandansymphony.org
March 20
Belle Project Concert @
Belle Mehus Auditorium
www.bismarckciviccenter.com/belle
March 23-27
Dakota Stage Presents:
Twelve Angry Men
Downtowners’ Association News
New Members, Member Anniversaries, Organization news, and more…
Please help us welcome our New Members of the Downtown Business Association: America’s Home Loans and Bridal ‘n More! Welcome!
□ DBA Member Warren’s Locks and Keys is celebrating their 40 Year Anniversary this year. Congratulations Ken and Staff!
□ DBA Member Capital Credit Union is celebrating 75 years in business. Congratulations!
□ DBA Member Shooters Billiards is celebrating over a decade in business with their 10th Anniversary. Congratulations Roger and Staff!
□ CC’s Physical Therapy will be having a number of events starting March 10. Go to www.ccsbismarck.com for more information! Baby classes, marathon-running classes, women’s self-defense classes, and more!
□ The next 1st Thursdays Downtown- Alive After 5 will be April 7 from 5pm-8pm. Please let Dawn know if you’ll be participating. Getit@downtownbismarck.com.
□ Membership Renewal Notices were mailed out in late December. Please contact the Downtowners’ office if you haven’t received your renewal notice or if you have run out of spaces on your membership plaque for your 2011 tag.
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!