The Downtowners’
City Center Newsletter
November 1, 2012
What You Will Find…
□ YES on Civic Center Expansion
□ Downtown Updates
□ Upcoming Events
□ Association News
Civic Center Expansion Vote Nov 6
A Vote for Downtown Bismarck and Community Growth…
On November 6,Bismarck voters will have a chance to vote YES for continued growth by expanding our Civic Center. The expansion would NOT be paid for with a property tax increase, rather a small increase in the visitor’s tax. Those of us in the Downtown area know the positive economic impacts that conferences and conventions have on our businesses. From retail and restaurant, to hotel and entertainment, conventions and conferences affect us all. The money spent by convention goers increases our sales tax collections as well. Sales tax can then be applied to property tax relief and cost buy down of major infrastructure projects.
Cities outside Bismarck are also aware of the positive economic impacts of a thriving convention center and are pursuing facility upgrades, places like Rapid City,Sioux Falls, and Billings. Without expanding our Civic Center, positive economic conventions like the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference will out grow our facilities, and the $1.9 million in economic impact the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference alone generates will go right out the window.
Expanding our current Civic Center is also the most cost effective means of growing convention business. The infrastructure is already in place, the surrounding businesses are already there to capture the sales, and building new could be over $200 million.
We encourage your vote YES for the Civic Center Expansion on November 6. Please visit www.epicenterproject.org for all the facts and figures of the expansion. From economic impact stats, to how the expansion can benefit you. You can also find all that information on Facebook at EpiCenter Project Bismarck.
2nd Annual ND Downtown Conference
If you attended the conference, please visit our website www.downtownbismarck.com to fill out the attendee feedback form. We encourage everyone to visit the site and review the phenomenal presentations.
Special thanks again to our sponsors and supporters of the conference: Sam’s Club, Kadrmas Lee & Jackson, JLG Architects, EAPC Architects & Engineers, Ulteig Engineers, Peacock Alley, Dakota Stage Theater & Northern Lights Display. We could not put this conference on without their support. Also a thank you to our presenters: Linda McCarthy- Missoula Downtown Association, Dan Senftner- Destination Rapid City, Tony Knauer- Transit & Parking City of Rochester MN, and Brad Schafer- Schafer Richardson Development MN (Urban Housing).
Downtown Updates
— At the September 25 Bismarck City Commission meeting, the city determined that the CORE Programs used for Downtown revitalization, can now be used again. What does this mean? Property and business owners can once again apply for the CORE Façade & Signage Grant for their property. Owners or developers looking to create housing in Downtown Bismarck can apply for the Housing Incentive Grant. There are also grants for Sidewalk Subsurface Infill and a Technical Assistance Bank. Please contact Bismarck’s Downtown Planner Jason Tomanek for more information.
— New businesses set to open in November: Action Jackson Comics on 4th & Main (Nov 7), JL Beers on 3rd St (Nov 8), Laughing Sun Brewing on 5th St (Nov 9-10), FireFlour Pizza on 5th St (mid-Nov). For more information on all the new businesses, please visit www.downtownbismarck.com.
— The Bismarck Parking Authority is offering free evening parking in the 3rd and Main Ramp from 4pm to 2am daily through the end of the year. With all the new activity and nightlife in Downtown Bismarck, the ramps will allow the public to enjoy the city center and not have to look 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.
Holiday Window Decoration Contest!
The theme this year is Free for All! Decorate your Downtown windows in whatever creative theme you choose. However, this year we will be having two winners! We will have a Member’s Choice and a Critics Choice! If you’d like to participate, simply send a picture of your window to us by December 12 to get on the ballot. We’ll then send out a ballot to all the member businesses to choose their 3 favorite windows. Awards and gift certificates will be given to the top 3 Member’s Choice and 1 Critic’s Choice. Happy Decorating!
Upcoming events
What’s Shakin Downtown…
Nov 1
1st Thursdays Alive After 5!
DowntownBismarck
Nov 2-3
Dakota Stage Presents
Comedy Night
Nov 9
BAGA Opening Reception
5-7pm
Nov 12
David Sedaris
Belle Mehus
www.bismarckciviccenter.com/belle
Nov 14
Christmas @ The Belle
Belle Mehus 5:15pm
701-319-0894
Downtowners’ Association News
Organization and member news …
You can find all of our member’s information at: www.downtownbismarck.com
□ Member cedesigns & Yarn Shoppe is hosting Runway Art in Motion at 7pm on November 15 at BAGA. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Call 471-2131 for more information.
□ Looking for a unique holiday party idea for you employees? Make a Night of It! Dinner and a show in Downtown Bismarck, Members Peacock Alley and Dakota Stage are teaming up to add some Downtown magic to your holiday party. For all the group rates and details contact Amber at 701-258-4998 or execdir@dakotastage.com.
□ Small Business Saturday is coming up! The day following Black Friday, show your support for our local businesses and shop local! Stay tuned to the newsletter for more information on this year’s event.
□ Could your antique coins and currency be valuable? Come find out at Starion Financial. Expert coin appraisers will be on hand in our lobby to value your coins and currency. Enjoy refreshments and register for door prizes! Join Member Starion Financial Wednesday November 14 from 1-3pm at their Mandan location to find out what your coins and currency could be worth!
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!