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State Cultural Affairs DistrictFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2004 Contact: Sarah Oltrogge, 515-281-4011 DCA Announces First Cultural Districts DES MOINES, Iowa-Eight communities across the state will be the first to have designated Cultural Districts, a new initiative by the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs to boost local economies through the arts, history and culture. The eight communities were unveiled today as part of the Imagine Iowa 2010: GREAT PLACES Cultural Caucus and Public Celebration at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. The eight communities are: Cedar Falls, Charles City, Cherokee, Davenport, Dubuque, Iowa City, Muscatine and Spencer. Both Muscatineand Iowa City will have two designated cultural districts. A description of each Cultural District is attached. "Iowa is the second state after Maryland to implement a program to certify Cultural Districts," said Anita Walker, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. "These districts celebrate what Iowa has to offer for culture, and are a great economic development tool." Leaders in each of the eight communities will measure progress made over a three-year period to increase the economic impact of culture, cultural workers and related economic growth in the Cultural Districts. The arts and ar.eas with historic structures attract residents and tourists who also support adjacent businesses such as restaurants, lodging, retail and entertainment. The presence ofthe arts and cultural opportunities enhances property values, the profitability of surrounding businesses and the tax base of the region. "These districts will attract a diverse and well-educated workforce and at the same time, use federal, state and local incentives to promote rehabilitation of historic buildings)," said Jack C. Porter, coordinator of the program and preservation consultant with the State Historical Society of Iowa. "These districts will contribute to the creativity and innovation of a community." For more information on Cultural Districts, visit www.culturalaffairs.org. 2004 Certified Cultural Districts Cedar Falls Downtown Cedar Falls The Downtown Cedar Falls Cultural District has essentially been in practice for several years, but this designation is a welcome enhancement to existing efforts. Community Main Street has long marketed the downtown district, which encompasses the designated Cultural District, as an arts and entertainment downtown. In fact, the first major building renovation and a significant catalyst for downtown revitalization in the early '90s was the rehabilitation of the Oster Regent Theatre, home of the Cedar Falls Community Theatre. Several partnerships between local arts organizations, many including Community Main Street, have been established over the years and these comprise the backbone of the planned cultural district's activities. Contact: Ms. Cary Anglum, 319-277-0213, carvanelum(ÍÏJ.cfu.net Charles City Charles City Cultural District Long in place, the Charles City Main Street Program is a comprehensive approach to encourage and support the economic vitality of the downtown area and to improve the image and appearance within the context of historic preservation. The Main Street Program, with its four committees, is perfectly suited to take on the added responsibility of the Cultural District, as the already existing organizational infrastructure lends a solid foundation to the creation of a Cultural District. The Cultural District is highly suited to pedestrian traffic. Main Street, with its recent conversion to a streetscape, includes old- fashioned lampposts, buildings, and a brick walking path that offers passersby the unique opportunity to taste the cultural and traditional heritage of an old-fashioned Iowa downtown area. Another option for pedestrians is the Historic Homes Tour, with walking maps featuring the Carnegie Library, the Suspension Bridge, the Charles Theatre, and more than 20 houses, many dating back to the early I 860s. Contact: Jim Thompson, 641-228-2335, cccdiim(ÍÏJ,netconx.net Cherokee Cherokee Cultural and Entertainment District This certified Cultural and Entertainment District in Cherokee will allow the community to effectively and aggressively market the cultural community that thrives there. Cherokee will establish and promote a common theme for activities related to the District and focus on the branding and marketing of the community. The city will work to create synergies and cooperation among entities for promotional events. For example, when Bogenrief Studios host an open house, the Sanford Museum will display some of their work and hold an educational exhibit on the art form and Little Sioux Gallery will also hold an open house. Included in the District are: The Cherokee Public Library, Cherokee Horse Arena Committee, Western Iowa Tech Conference Center, Deb's School of Dance, the renovated Historic Railroad Depot and a proposed Institution for Performing Arts. Contact: Penny Pingrey, 712-225-5739, caedc(ÍÏJ,netins.net Davenport Downtown Davenport Cultural District The Downtown Davenport Cultural District will work through a steering committee of interested stakeholders including representatives of all cultural and entertainment institutions based in the district, representatives of the City of Davenport, Scott County Board of Supervisors, and interested citizens. The initial scope of activity proposed for the district will expand upon key elements of the Downtown Partnership work plan, specifically those of its Arts and Culture Task Force that has been in existence for five years. Members of this task force will provide key volunteer leadership to the effort to anchor the continued growth and investment in downtown and the city center. Already, new restaurants, businesses, art and cultural providers, and residential opportunities have located in the area. Contact: Bobbi Rogalski, 563-326-3000, roealskibobbi(ÍÏJ,sau.edu Dubuque Downtown Dubuque Cultural Corridor More than 10 years ago, a strong majority of the arts and education community organizations, most of which had a downtown presence, formed the Dubuque Cultural Alliance. In 1997, at one of the monthly meetings of the Alliance, Ruth Nash, a key arts advocate, advanced the idea that the Dubuque community should embrace the fact that on an ever-growing basis, a cultural corridor was forming along the spine of Dubuque's city center. Recently, Dubuque's Comprehensive Downtown master plan, a community-wide consensus document, called for the formation of just such a District in downtown Dubuque. This certification will greatly enhance the endeavor to become a destination quarter. Contact: Christine Rapp, 563-588-0645, Christine.dmsl(ÍÏJ,mwci.net Iowa City Old Capitol District and Iowa River District The heart and soul of Iowa City, and the southern portion of the designated Old Capitol District, is the downtown area. The "heart" of the University ofIowa campus is located downtown, which is the Pentacrest. One the Pentacrest there are five university buildings, the center one being the Old Capitol building for the state of Iowa. Iowa City is the first state capital ofIowa and the gold dome of the Old Capitol building has become a symbol and source of pride for the University ofIowa. The VI Museum of Natural History is located in Macbride Hall, one of the buildings on the Pentacrest. The "soul" of downtown is City Plaza, the pedestrian mall, where there is an eclectic mix of locally owned shops, restaurants and vibrant nightlife. The downtown is bordered by the Iowa A venue Literary Walk. The tolerance, freedom, and love of the arts that are touted by these quotes set in bronze into the sidewalk exemplifies the variety and quality of life in downtown Iowa City. The Iowa River District includes Hancher Auditorium. Contact: Joshua Schamberger, 800-283-6592, Joshua(ÍÏJ.icccvb.ore Muscatine Pearl City and Melon City The Pearl City Cultural District in Muscatine has the immediate goals and objectives to focus on event planning, financial support, participant and new member recruitment, and community growth. The community has a large collection of cultural organizations. An additional goal is provide a more coordinated event planning process so that the many performances and activities work in a complementary fashion, allowing all events to be more successful. Improvements include installation of period lighting in the historic downtown area, sidewalk enhancements and improvements, landscaping in the downtown, riverfront and Mark Twain overlook, additional parking created and reconfigured, walking tours and historic signed designed and developed, artistic murals installed on buildings, and the erection of new community art. Contact: Gary Carlson, 563-263-6373, gcarIson(ÍÏJ,muscatine.com Spencer Spencer Downtown Cultural District This Cultural District certification will help draw attention to the cultural, historical, and artistic attractions that already exist within the district in Downtown Spencer, as well as build on those attractions by helping to further develop Spencer's potential in these areas. Some existing attractions include a SCT Playhouse, Arts on Grand, Parker Historical Museum, public art, and Bogenriefs Studio. Projects that will be completed within 24-36 months include official Federal recognition of a Downtown Art Deco Historical District, construction of a new art deco bridge on Grand A venue, and conversion of the Old Middle School building to an artist's incubator and studio. Contact: Dean Torreson, 712-580-7200, deantorreson(ÍÏJ,smunet.net