The Downtowners announced Volkswagen of Bismarck has come on board as their German Days title partner for the second year event. The Downtowners German Days inaugural event held last year, showcases German and Germans from Russia heritage in the heart of Downtown Bismarck at the Depot. German food, music, entertainment, and beer are featured during the two and a half day event coming up July 14-16, 2016. Volkswagen of Bismarck, a division of Bismarck Motor Company and founding sponsor, will be leading the title partnership role for the expanded 2nd Annual Downtowners German Days event. One of the world’s most recognizable German brands and products, Volkswagen of Bismarck will be on hand showcasing vehicles, sponsoring activities throughout the event, and bringing German Volkswagen flair and fun to the Depot grounds during German Days.
Association News
Member Bismarck Parks and Recreation District is one of four finalists for the 2016 National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The Gold Medal Awards program honors communities throughout the U.S. that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. For more information on the Gold Medal Awards, visit www.nrpa.org/goldmedal or www.aapra.org.For additional information regarding BPRD, please visit www.bisparks.org.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Downtowners first State of the Downtown event May 3. Over 125 people were in attendance to learn about upcoming projects and progress in Downtown Bismarck. Thank you to our speakers from the City of Bismarck, Five South, Depot Properties, and Dakota Stage for hosting us.
Congrats to Brooke Walter of BNC National Bank, Downtowners Volunteer of the Year– and Chuck Hale of Electronic Communications Inc, June & Jim Thompson Volunteer of the Year– recognitions were presented at the State of the Downtown event May 3.
Early-bird tickets for the Downtowners Art & Wine Walk go on sale May 16 at noon. The event happens June 16 in Downtown Bismarck.
ND Department of Commerce has extended Bismarck’s state Renaissance Zone Program through August 2017. The City of Bismarck requested a 5 year program extension allowed by state law but did not receive support from Burleigh County. The Bismarck School District and City Commission did vote to support the extension. The Commerce Department granted a short extension to allow the legislature to weigh in on the extension support process. To date their have been 119 projects in Bismarck totaling more than $52 million in private investment.
Starving Rooster, a Downtown Minot based restaurant, has announced plans to open another location on the 500 block of Main Ave. Los Lunas, a New Mexican restaurant, had their grand opening May 5 in west Downtown next to the Anderson Bldg. Lucky Ducks owners expansion, opening J60 and Avery’s AM Eatery is scheduled to open in June of 2016. Pinch & Pour, in the Parkade, had their soft opening April 28. They sell quality infused olive oils and vinegars.
GO! Bismarck-Mandan is promoting National Bike Month this May. GO! Bismarck-Mandan will be holding different events throughout the month of May featuring: Mayor’s Ride, Group Rides, Traffic Safety 101 and National Bike Week. The mission of Go! Bismarck-Mandan is to bring people together to build a culture of health where we live, learn, work, and play. For more please visit: http://gobismarckmandan.org/bikemonth/.
