October 2012

For t Madison
Brought to you by the Organization Committee
October 2012
Vol. 4 . No. 1
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Revitalization
in Progress
Dodd Printing & Stationery (621-623 Ave G) is an example of the type of impact that this grant will make. The photo on the left shows the
building currently, while the rendering on the right illustrates how the property will appear post-rehabilitation.
The CDBG Façade Master Plan is soon underway! In late August, we announced to local and regional media that
bids would be publicly accepted until 3pm on September 18th. This was a tedious and competitive process for any
contractor, as the bids were for five (5) different contracts which covered historic rehabilitation on thirteen properties, had to meet historic preservation standards and Green Streets criteria. We have posted info and a video on our
website at http://fortmadison.com/mainstreet/facadegrant/
We are proud to announce that City Council has approved accepted bids for the different awards, as follows:
General work: Schickedanz Construction (Fort Madison, Iowa)
Masonry: Evans Mason, Inc. (Springfield, Illinois)
Windows, Doors, Glazing and Finish Carpentry: Schickedanz Construction (Fort Madison, Iowa)
Painting: Schickedanz Construction (Fort Madison, Iowa)
Awnings, Signage & Accessories: Sherwood Company (West Burlington, Iowa)
614 9th Street • Fort Madison • Iowa • 319.372.5471
[email protected]
www.fortmadison.com
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For t Madison
October 2012
Brought to you by the Organization Committee
Vol. 4 No. 1
Contracts have yet to be finalized, but we expect the hammers to start swinging within the next six weeks, if not
sooner!
We are inviting all downtown business and property owners, and especially those who are a part of the grant, to join
us for a brainstorming meeting about how to advertise this huge project and educate the public and shoppers. We
will meet at the Moose Lodge on Sept 25th, 6pm. This will truly be a downtown district coordinated effort as it
will affect everyone downtown to some degree, so the bigger the turnout on planning, the more successful it will be
for all!
Update on the Multi-Property Downtown Development Project
By now, you’ve probably heard about the huge adaptive reuse developments that we’re working on downtown, which will completely restore three large properties downtown and create 45 new upper-story residential units and about ten new commercial spaces. It’s been about a year, and we’re still moving forward.
State & federal funding is a slow process, though is typically one of the leading incentives that allows for
large, multi-million dollar developments to happen. This is a major priority for our Main Street program,
as it will be a monumental catalyst, in addition to the CDBG Façade Grant, for downtown revitalization.
We’ll keep you posted when we have more updates later this winter!
What are Downtown Design Guidelines, anyway?
The Design Committee will be partnering with the Historic Preservation to create downtown design guidelines which will serve as a guide for recommendations on all future renovations that property owners of
downtown buildings may undertake. At this stage, the document will just serve as a guide on how to retain the historic character of our built environmental, while remaining sustainable and practical. There is
currently no formal review process for the city of Fort Madison. However, if state or federal funding is
used for renovations, typically the designs must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabiltiation. See our website for more info (including other community examples): http://
fortmadison.com/mainstreet/historicpreservation/
The Design Committee also works on the new bypass signage and holiday lighting. Anyone is welcome to
join them at their next meeting on Thursday, Sept 20th, 8am at the Ivy.
Big Buckle Bash Summary
The 2nd annual Big Buckle Bash was a wild success! Main Street brought over 1,500 people downtown that
evening, along with over 60 classic cars and great family activities! It certainly is an event that can grow,
and we’re looking at ways to involve our downtown businesses more in the event. We are in need of volunteers to help plan, organize and serve at the 2013 event, which will be even bigger and better!
614 9th Street • Fort Madison • Iowa • 319.372.5471
[email protected]
www.fortmadison.com
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For t Madison
October 2012
Brought to you by the Organization Committee
Vol. 4 No. 1
Traffic Count Report—Updated
In May, we shared some stats to share with everyone that date back to July 2009, when Southeast Iowa Regional Planning conducted a traffic count of Avenue G in the downtown area. They conducted this study
again in July 2012. You can find the results online at http://fortmadison.com/mainstreet/traffic-study/
Lights, Camera, Action’s last outdoor movie for the season
The last outdoor movie for the 2012 Season will be on September 20th, as LCA shows “Hairspray.” All
movies are shown at 8:30pm/Dark on Friday nights, rated G or PG, and free (with free-will donations
helping to pay for future movies).
FMAAA’s September’s Early-Out Art Workshop
Bring children of all ages down to the FMAAA on September 26th, from 1:30pm-3:3pm to learn how to
make traditional Confetti Eggs as seen at the Mexican Fiesta, with Renay Lozano Dominguez! Only 16 slots
are available, including a snack. $14 for FMAAA members, $16 for non-FMAAA.
The Season’s Last Farmers Market
Stop by the last Farmer’s Market for the 2012 season in Central Park on Thursday, Sept 27th, from 4:306:30pm.
Art in the Park: Sunday, Sept 30
Central Park will buzzing with activity during FMAAA’s annual Art in the Park festival from 10am-5pm.
With approximately 30, 3 bands (Indie-Country), and the Lost Duck Brew & BBQ, it’s sure to make for a
relaxing and charming day!
Music lineup: 12pm-1pm: Ascots for Everyone, 1:15-3:30pm Truck Stop Souvenirs, 3:30pm-5pm: Homebrewed.
Main Street Welcomes A New Business: Smoochie Poochie
Have you heard of Smoochie Poochie? It's the newest resale shop downtown (723 Ave G) where all proceeds are donated back to PAWS! Donations will be accepted on Thurs & Fri, 10am-4pm and on Saturdays
from 10am-3pm. Call Joanne to arrange another time, 319-371-7474. Accepts furniture (indoor & outdoor),
knick knacks (nothing broken), household goods, winter clothing. All donated items must be in good condition, clean and reusable. Winter clothing will be sold in Stage 2, where PAWS will receive the funds.
614 9th Street • Fort Madison • Iowa • 319.372.5471
[email protected]
www.fortmadison.com
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For t Madison
October 2012
Brought to you by the Organization Committee
Vol. 4 No. 1
Join us for Coffee talk on Wednesday
morning, Sept 26th, 8am at the Ivy Bake
Shoppe while we discuss the next First
Friday, for Oct 5th!
Downtown trick-or-treating will
take place on Oct 30th, 5-7pm .
The Ghost Hunt Is Back!
Historic river towns have their share of haunts and the paranormal, and Fort Madison is no different!
Every other year, our Ghost Hunt allows for visitors to document the paranormal activity that surrounds
us. On Friday, Oct 19th or Saturday, Oct 20th, visit six private (and reportedly haunted) locations with a
professional paranormal activity specialist...bring your camera, if you dare! This is an adult only event
(ages 18+) and tickets are $25. Participants have their choice of Fri or Sat night and the event starts at 7pm
each night. We’ll announce ticket locations in the coming weeks, but you will be able to purchase them at
the Madison Area Arts Association and/or the Main Street office, in addition to other locations. Sponsored
by the FMAAA and Fort Madison Main Street.
Don’t forget that the
Homecoming Parade will be
downtown on Thursday,
Sept 27th, 5pm.
614 9th Street • Fort Madison • Iowa • 319.372.5471
[email protected]
www.fortmadison.com
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For t Madison
October 2012
Brought to you by the Organization Committee
Vol. 4 No. 1
Wine & Beer Walk
Now in its third year, this event kicks off our downtown holiday
season and is always scheduled for the Friday before Thanksgiving. This year, it will be on Friday, November 16, from 5-8pm
and tickets will be $10/person and will include a complimentary
glass. We have some crowd-favorite vendors that are returning,
and even some new ones that will be set up at nearly two dozen
downtown locations! We’ve already started some advertising, earlier this spring, which went up as far as the Quad Cities. Some of
our downtown lodging establishments (Kingsley Inn and the
Manor Bed & Breakfast) have offered 20% off of stays for that weekend, and as an added incentive,
Main Street is donating two tickets to the Wine & Beer Walk, to visitors who make arrangements to stay
the night! Visit our website for more info.
Business owners, our Committee Chair is dropping off some important fliers for you to review, so
please review those. If you have any questions, please call our office ASAP!
Holiday Committee: Making Spirits Bright
The Holiday Committee will be meeting in the next two weeks to discuss some fun activities and promotions, like carriage rides, extra late night shopping and special Christmas sales. If you’d like to join in
on the fun of planning for the special seasons, by all means, let us know! We need all the help we can
get!
614 9th Street • Fort Madison • Iowa • 319.372.5471
[email protected]
www.fortmadison.com
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For t Madison
October 2012
Brought to you by the Organization Committee
Vol. 4 No. 1
Calendar of Events
Sept 20
Design Committee, 8am, Ivy Bake Shoppe
– to discuss bypass signage and holiday
lights, façade grant marketing
Sept 21
Movies in the Park: Hairspray, 8:30pm/
dark.
Sept 22
Old Settlers’ Park Fall Festival. 4th & Avenue E, 9am-3:30 pm. Over 35 vendors!
Sept 25
Group Meeting regarding the CDBG Façade Grant and Marketing, 6pm, Moose
Lodge
Sept 26
First Fridays promotion meeting, 8am, Ivy
Sept 26
FMAAA September’s Early-Out Art
Workshop, 1:30-3:30pm, FMAAA
Sept 27
Last Farmers Market, 4:30-6:30pm, Central
park
Sept 30
Art in Central Park, 10am-5pm
Oct 2
City Council, 7pm
Oct 3
Main Street Board Meeting, 5:30pm
Oct 5
First Fridays &
The NLCHS, Sheaffer Pen and FMAAA
are all open until 7pm too!
Oct 8
Downtown Design Guidelines Meeting
with Historic Preservation Commission
and Design Committee, 5:30pm
Oct 15
Succession Planning Workshop, 7:30am9:30am, SCC
Oct 16
Main Street Quarterly Update at City
Council, 7pm
Oct 19 & 20
Ghost Hunt, 7pm both evenings
Homecoming Parade, 5pm
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