In This Issue...
2007 was a good year for Downtown Cedar Rapids. But unless we can follow with an even more successful 2008 and 2009, much of what has been accomplished won't matter a whole lot. That's because this past year was really a year of planning and momentum building. Most everything that needed to happen, has happened - we have a downtown framework plan, we've built and sustained enthusiasm and unity among a host of public and private stakeholders, and the public is beginning to grasp that something really is happening downtown.
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Revitalizing our riverfront ranked as the No. 1 initiative of the Downtown Area Plan completed last spring by JLG Architects. And while good progress is being made on a number of plan components, the Cedar River continues to attract the most intense focus of the stakeholders in the plan and the implementation task forces whose job it is to see this plan to fruition.
Please click here to read the full story.
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The Cedar Rapids Downtown District is pleased to announce Mallory Cink has joined our staff as a marketing and research associate. Some of you will recognize Mallory from her work here last summer as a Downtown District intern. She developed several marketing pieces for Downtown, and was part of the hard-working team that brought success to the Farmers' Market and Drive-In Movie Series.
To read more about Mallory and how to reach her, please click here.
The Cedar Rapids Downtown District is in place for 2008. Welcome new members John Ilten and Amy Wyss!
Please click here to view the entire Board of Directors.
The City Council selected Sherman Associates of Minneapolis as its preferred developer for the development of housing in downtown Cedar Rapids. The City will now enter negotiations with Sherman to try to determine location, size and market niche for a housing project.
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From window decorating to best walking display, the 2007 Holiday DeLight Parade and Fire & Ice Festivities was a complete success, providing a variety of opportunities for patrons and businesses to get involved. The first annual Decorate Downtown event featured a window decorating contest put on by area businesses, with first place going to downtown small business Simply Divine, and first place large business to Wells Fargo. The Holiday DeLight Parade included local celebrities Scott Schulte and Ric Swann as emcees, and local weathermen Bob Lesh from KGAN, Mark Schnackenberg from KWWL, and Lance Ryan from KCRG. serving as judges. A surprise marriage proposal as well as several ties to the parades theme "Sounds of the Season" added to the magical event. Thanks to all volunteers, sponsors, and patrons for their participation.
Congratulations to our January/February Volunteer Spotlight Joan Benda! Joan has been a volunteer for the Downtown District since 1994. We were able to chat with Joan about some of her volunteer experiences and thoughts on getting involved in the downtown community.
To read the full interview with Joan, please click here.
2008 is the Year of the River, and the official website is ready to accept your events to add to the master calendar in celebration of this initiative.
2008 is the Year of the River, as proclaimed by City Council in May 2007. The Year of the River is a community wide effort initiated by the Fifteen and 5 Riverfront Development Committee that brings focus to the Red Cedar River, its importance to the development of industries, transportation, housing and commercial areas, and recreation in Cedar Rapids. The community is encouraged to incorporate their events to Year of the River in celebration and recognition of ongoing efforts to pay tribute to the river. Events tied to the Year of the River concept can be submitted to events@yearoftheriver.org. Event date, time, location, brief description, and contact information is appreciated. The website, www.yearoftheriver.org, will serve as an informational hub for viewers to browse. Information will include history of the concept, the City proclamation, latest river news, and Year of the River master calendar of events.
For questions please contact Quinn Pettifer at 398-0449 or Tim Boyle at 398-5009.
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Downtown Appreciation Night at the Rough Riders!
March 1
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Spring Pub Crawl
April 18
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Grounds for Art
Installation Reception
May 16
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Farmers Market 2008
June 7, 21, July 5, August 2, 16, September 6, October 4
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CRBT Drive-In Movie Series
June 28, July 19, August 9
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Fall Pub Crawl
October 10
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