Looking Back...and Forward
Downtown Partners, Inc. continues to see an amount of activity unprecedented since Burlington's Main Street program was established in 1986. From landmark redevelopments to new businesses to beautification, downtown's momentum is unstoppable. At the beginning of a new year, it's fitting to look back on what has been accomplished. In 2018:
  • Work was completed on the main section of the floodwall, securing the riverfront while also greatly improving its appearance
  • Downtown Partners hosted business consultant Margie Johnson, who presented a program and conducted one-on-one visits with retailers and restaurants at no charge
  • We also hosted the Iowa Downtown Resource Center's Model Community Forum on façade rehab, drawing on our local knowledge and experience
  • Redevelopment got underway at three buildings along Valley St., which will eventually house dozens of new apartments as well as new first floor commercial spaces
  • The former Expert Tire building at 713 Jefferson was completely rehabbed, transforming a formerly vacant building into the home for four new businesses
  • The parking lot at Sixth and Washington was reconstructed, the lot at Main and Valley was enlarged, and new parking signage was installed
  • A Main Street Challenge Grant was awarded to restore the façade, create a new apartment, and build the region's first shared use kitchen at 805 Jefferson, while work also began on the Challenge Grant project to whitebox the diner space at the historic depot
  • Downtown Partners presented 54 event days and produced a holiday shopping commercial on the
    Hallmark Channel
This flourish of activity indicates the ongoing success of the Main Street approach to downtown revitalization. Businesses are realizing that it makes sense to invest in resources such as historic buildings and existing infrastructure in a downtown with plentiful amenities, an attractive setting, and a growing population. Considering everything that has been accomplished and everything that is in the works, Downtown Burlington has plenty of reason to toot its New Year's horn a little louder in 2019!  
Downtown Partners Events for 2019
It's going to be another busy year! Contact Downtown Partners at 319-208-0056 for information about any of these events.

February
  9
 Chocoholic Frolic
April 
 13
 Spring Open House

26
  Spring Sip, Taste & Stroll
May  2 Jefferson St. Farmers Market begins

25 Snake Alley Criterium
July 20 A Very Vintage Market
August 1 - 3 Sidewalk Sales
September 26 Jefferson St. Farmers Market ends

27 Fall Sip, Taste & Stroll
October 24 Witches Night Out 

25 Downtown Trick or Treat
November 10 Holiday Open House

30 Lighted Holiday Parade
December 12 Living Windows
 
Additional events may be added along the way! The dates and film titles for the 5 & V Outdoor Movies will be announced this spring.
The Holidays Are Over...
...but your downtown merchants are still here! Winter weather and the post-Christmas lull can be challenging for our restaurants and retailers. Here's a New Year's challenge for you - shop at least one new downtown store and visit at least one new downtown restaurant this month. Your local, independently owned businesses will really appreciate it.
The Latest News...      
  • Thanks to event organizer presenting sponsor Pritchard Broadcasting and all those who made Living Windows such a success last month. We heard many compliments about the event and even received coverage on KWQC Channel 6.
  • Vendor applications for A Very Vintage Market on July 20 are open at GreaterBurlington.com . Keep an eye on the AVVM Facebook page for news about the fourth annual event.
  • The next Downtown Coffee & Conversation will be Wednesday, January 30 at 8 AM at the Uptown Ivy, 514 Jefferson. All downtown business and property owners, employees, and residents are welcome. Get to know your neighbors and find out a bit more about what is happening downtown!  
  • The fourth annual Chocoholic Frolic is on Saturday, February 9 from 1 to 5 PM, with samples of a wide variety of chocolate treats available at a dozen businesses in downtown Burlington. Advance tickets are $10 at The Iowa Store and Weird Harold's, or online at GreaterBurlington.com . Thanks to Kodiak Cakes for making this event possible.  
  • It's a bit off in the distance, but the city is planning major work on Main and Washington Sts. in 2021, and the TIGER grant work on Jefferson St. is tentatively scheduled for 2022.
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Want to keep even more up to date with what is happening in your downtown? Visit Downtown Burlington, Iowa on Facebook! 
 
DowntownLogo
"The mission of Downtown Partners is to preserve and revitalize downtown Burlington by enhancing its economy, infrastructure, and historical and cultural features."
 
A Main Street Iowa Program

A Division of the Greater Burlington Partnership
RiverPark Place
610 N 4th Street, Suite 200
Burlington, IA  52601

Steve Frevert, Director of Downtown Partners, Inc.
sfrevert@greaterburlington.com  -  319-208-0056

Upcoming
Downtown Events

JANUARY       

5 - That's Yesterday's News
Burlington Public Library
10 AM

Flash in a Pan, Duke and the Band on the Fly
The Washington
7 PM

11 - Friends of the Library Trivia Night
Burlington Public Library
6 PM

Civic Music presents John Mueller's Winter Dance Party
Memorial Auditorium
7:30 PM

12 - Bingo, Brunch, & Beverages
Elks Lodge
9 AM

The Hawk Eye: A Historical Look
Burlington Public Library
10 AM

Battle of the Brushes
Art Center
4 PM

16 -  Lunchtime Chamber Music Series
First United Methodist Church
12:15 PM

Home Alone
Capitol Theater
12:30 PM

18 - Family Night Unplugged Stuffed Animal Workshop
Burlington Public Library
5:30 PM

Tribute to the Warped Tour featuring Mark Rose
The Washington
7 PM

19 - Lego Club
Burlington Public Library
10 AM

Arctic Challenge
Burlington Bent River
Brewing Co.
1 PM

21 - Hotel Transylvania 3
Burlington Public Library
2:30 PM

26 - Friends of the Library Book Sale, Burlington Public Library
9 AM

Eagle Watch
Port of Burlington
10 AM   
   
Elton Dan & the Rocket Band
Capitol Theater
8 PM

31 - Tween/Teen Cardboard Construction Challenge
Burlington Public Library
6 PM

FEBRUARY 

1 - Musical Instruments of the Civil War
Burlington Public Library
10 AM

2 - Marc Price
Capitol Theater
8 PM



Downtown Partners, Inc. 
Board of Directors 2019


  Laura Beckman - Chair
Alliant Energy 

Janine Clover - Past Chair
Small Business Development Center

Becky Anderson - Chair Elect
  Legacy Partners

Ryan Nagrocki - Treasurer
Two Rivers Bank & Trust

Julie Anderson 
 Chair  Hope Haven Area Development Center

Megan Bell
PZAZZ

Mike Darnall 
McConnell Lofts

Jim Ferneau
Burlington City Manager 

Tyler French
The Washington

Hillaurie Fritz-Bonar 
Art Center of Burlington

Jach James
Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission

Jerry Johnson
Capitol Theater

Jason Hutcheson
Greater Burlington Partnership

Julie Lehman

Lynda Murray
Burlington City Council 

Doreen Roy
Gypsi on Jefferson &
Red Screen Door

Stephanie Waples,
Klingner and Associates