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