May 27 Downtown Bismarck News

Main Ave Bid Awarded


The bid for the Main Ave lane reconfiguration (Road Diet) was awarded at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting.  A trial run of the new configuration will run from Washington to 6th St for the bulk of the summer.  The new configuration, which is a part of the Downtown Sub-Area Study plan, changes the roadway from 4 lanes with no dedicated turn lane to 3 lanes with a dedicated left turn lane.  Parking will remain unchanged.  According to Federal Highway Administration’s Safety department, these three lane configurations with dedicated left turn lanes can reduce crashes by 19-47%, reduce crash severity, improve pedestrian safety and the walking environment, and create a better retail climate. SRF, the firm who designed the lane changes, will monitor the progress of the changes.  Downtowners will also be holding an information session for business and property owners along the Main Ave corridor– and follow up as the demonstration is in progress.  Tuesday’s bid came in 25% lower than engineer’s estimate of $39,000 according to the Bismarck Tribune.  Look for changes to be in place by late June.


Association News


Member Dakota West Arts Council is seeking artwork by local and regional artists, 18 years of age or older for Bismarck Art Alley. Student artists under 18 may be considered but must have a teacher on premises with them at all times. The purpose of this project is to foster ongoing efforts to create public art in North Dakota’s Capital City and therefore creating a sense of place and building a stronger, more connected community. For more information on this project please visit:http://www.artscapital.org/.

Member D&N Cinematics will present Starlight Cinema, an all ages outdoor film series with one event a month from June-September at Sleep Hollow Arts Park. This will be the full outdoor movie experience with a giant screen, digital projection, local entertainment before the show and of course popcorn and refreshments galore. D&N Cinematics is a Bismarck video production company located at 208 E Broadway Ave.
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/c30c690b329c71b68231dc6a0/files/2016StarlightCinema_1_.pdf

5th Annual Downtowners Art & Wine Walk Tickets are now on sale!  Tickets have sold out in previous years so get yours soon!   The Art & Wine Walk lets you explore Downtown Bismarck businesses, while sampling wine and enjoying art & music talent at each stop.  June 16 from 4:30-9:30pm, tickets available here:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-downtowners-art-wine-walk-tickets-24874377934?aff=eac2

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Downtown News

Urban Harvest is planning for the 2016 season, with market days planned for each Thursday from July 7 to August 11.  If you are interested in Vendor Applications and Guidelines or volunteering please visit: http://www.bismarckurbanharvest.org/

Shane Balkowitsch, from Nostalgic Glass Wet Plate Studio, will be recreating the infamous Bismarck “Murderer’s Gulch” or “Bloody Fourth” in the Alley west of Westley’s Jewelry off Broadway. Balkowitsch will be using the 1848 wet plate collodion process to capture the image in silver on glass. There will be over 20 cast members and extras that will be involved. Anyone who is interested in watching the process unfold is welcomed to attend on June 11 from 9am-4pm. The final plate will be donated at their request to the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s permanent archive. If you would like to view more of Balkowitsch’s work please visit: http://sharoncol.balkowitsch.com/wetplate.htm