Dbq Main St Year Review Etc
dim
DUBUQUE
Main Street
Ltd.
2003 Calendar Year Review
&'04105 Preview
2003
2002
DESIGN
Facade Renovations $978,705 $277,254
Building Rehabilitations $13,644,172 $7,699,541
New Construction Projects $53,500,000 $29,729,066
Real Estate Sales $3,434,179 $15,068,768
Public Improvement Projects $3637344 $11.315.719
Total Reported Investments $75,194,400 $64,090,348
In addition to the dramatic increases in total investments in categories listed above, in 2003 Main Street continued work on our
Upper Level Living/reuse/facade focus, with nine one-on-one design assistance visitations by our Des Moines architect. With
the use of the recently updated rehabilitation packet and the more user friendly, preservation tax credit packet; a wider outreach
program has been implemented for material distribution, Six statewide design awards were secured from IDED.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
New Businesses
Relocation to Main Street Districts
Moved Out of Main Street District
Businesses Closed
Net Businesses to District
Space Expansion
19
6
-26*
-13*
-14
6
25
8
-24
:ll
-2
8
Net Gain (Loss) in Employees to District -33* +361
, Includes 11 businesses in Old Main (i.e. Jocille's Fashions & the Main Street Caboose) & Port of Dubuque (ie. Dubuque Hardwoods
& Miller Logging), which truly are NOT traditional "moved out"f'closed" businesses, in that the buildings/properties are in transition
to more appropriate uses not yet opened by Dec. 31, 2003. Four of these moved or closed businesses are also from the Gronenproject
buildings in the 1000 block of Main. . also transitional.
The negative net in businesses is certainly not a plus, but in light of above footnote; it is also not as significant a concern as it
might be under normal circumstances in other city centers. With the momentum of the Port and Old Main, the reorganization of
downtown has turned the corner and the right mix of businesses seems to be evolving. In 2003 Dubuque Main Street continued
work on our Challenge Grant from Main Street Iowa, and this will spur some nice renovation and reuse north of 10'" Street &
our Upper Main district. In addition, in 2003 Dubuque Main Street & Main Street Iowa concentrated professional development
on business improvement. We continued our effort to enhance our Availability List; the categorized, rental rates database; and
finalized a comprehensive downtown map of property usage and potential. We continued its focus on utilization of entire
buildings for economic return, turning its attention to seeking incentives and grant programs, including the nationally
recognized Dubuque Main Street Loan Pool. DMSL has become a clearinghouse for information on downtown economic
revitalization programs.
ORGANIZATION
Dubuque Main Street Ltd. realized another remarkable number of volunteer hours by individuals representing a wide range of
businesses and organizations. Volunteer hours totaled 5519 in 2003.
Main Street assumed a leading role in the organization of the Comprehel1slve Downtown Masterplaning process, resulting in a
completed document in 2003. It has been a multi-year evolution, but 2003 marked the first district expansion Dubuque Main
Street has assumed since inception in 1985. The council-approved addition of the Jackson Park & Couler districts enables us to
extend our services and influences north.
On behalf of the City, Main Street continues to manage both the Farmer's Market and the Town Clock festival area. Farmers'
Market had increased vendor participation again in 2003, and Main Street was able to utilize the small Iowa Department of
Agriculture grant announced last year to increase promotion and purchase additional street safety/closing equipment for two
blocks of Iowa Street. During peak season Saturdays, this greatly enhanced public safety and was in response to market patrons
and City management's request.
909 Main Street. Suite 22LL, Fischer Building. Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Phone: 563-588-4400 . Fax: 563-588-0645 E-mail: dbqmainst@mwci.net
.'
In 2003, Main Street secured and implemented grant funding for building rehabilitation; a downtown business resource center;
event production, equipment and insurance; office furnishings and equipment; farmers' market; and downtown cleanup.
In 2003 Main Street also had representation on the following "committees:" the City's Economic Development Team; the
Comprehensive Downtown Plan Task Force; the America's River Board & Marketing Committee; the Enterprise Zone
Commission; the City's Parking Advisory and Citizens with Disabilities Parking Review Committees; the Chamber's
Directional Signage Committee; the Convention & Visitors Bureau's Advisory Board and Festivals Committee; Dubuque
Community Schools' Public Planning Task Force; the City's ARTs Task Force; the Storm Water Citizen Advisory Committee;
the Dubuque Cultural Alliance; the Taste of Dubuque Committee; the Grand Excursion Committee; Citizens Building Our
Future; and the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society board.
PROMOTION
As always, promotion remains a strength of Dubuque Main Street. Main Street manages such diverse projects as Dubuque &
All That Jazz. We continued to improve Dubuque's Main Event, adding an historic parade, expanded window displays of
Dubuque History, and historic craft demonstrations.
Main Street expanded the new downtown business promotion and fund-raiser, Pultzin ' Around Downtown, to rave reviews. We
continue to also coordinate the Downtown Business PM, Farmers' Market, Downtown Cleanup, the Discover Downtown
Dubuque Days Sidewalk Sale, and Christmas Decorations.
Main Street also expanded assistance in organization and equipment (stage) for Taste of Dubuque, Dubuquefest, Riverfest, the
Cable Car Square Chili Cook-off, the Cable Car Square Candle Walk, Rock-the-Clock, Dubuque 365 Lunchtime Jam, Music in
the Park, the Gallery Hip Hop, Summerfest, Bluesfest, Summer's True Kickoff, and other downtown parades and events.
While Dubuque Main Street will continue to develop areas already considered snccessful, the following points will receive
particular attention in the next year. Main Street will:
Join with other stakeholders in the timely implementation and funding of as many Comprehensive Downtown MasterPlan
initiatives as possible.
Focus on full utilization of all buildings and properties, including upper levels. This goal will have a particular emphasis
on the relationship between commercial and residential usage, and will include the reintrodnction of the Upstairs-
Downtown series of practical rehabilitation seminars and workshops.
Seek state, federal and private/foundation funds (and other fiscal incentives) for new development, redevelopment,
financial assistance, public improvement projects, and volunteerism.
Open the downtown business resource center by December 2004, and combine this effort with the relocation of the Main
Street office in a storefront (exclusively using in-kind resources), making this office space a first.class example of
appropriate commercial space,
Support and fund activities that bring people "...to the downtown..." such as Dubuque...and All That Jazz, Dubuque's Main
Event, the Cable Car Square Chili Cook-Off, Discover Downtown Dubuque Days, Pultzin ' Around Downtown, and others.
Strive to help establish a stronger working relationship with other organizations (the Chamber, City of Dubuque, GDDC
and others) through a communication round-table.
Redouble the recruitment of appropriate/complementary businesses to downtown, and represent the city center in working
with the entity hired by Dubuque Initiatives to bring expanded retail to the area.
Enhance our new on.line presence, with an improved DMSL Web Page, featuring up-to-date calendars, our availability
list, and a featured "property of the month."
Enhance the monthly newsletter and media releases to promote good rehabilitation and preservation efforts, celebrating the
award winning design that has brought Dubuque nationwide recognition.
Complete the recent expansion, now including seven downtown districts, by bringing Main Street benefits to the new
districts' stakeholders, as well as bringing the voices of the districts to the Main Street "table."
Create a task force to develop a more formal approach to volunteer recruitment & recognition, as well as expand youth
programs.
Keep it FUN, with a Business Attitnde