Certified Cultural and Entertainment Districts
Cultural and Entertainment Districts
Ames
Main Street Cultural and Entertainment District
Ames
- Main Street Cultural and Entertainment District Map
The Main Street Cultural and Entertainment District is home to a variety of cultural anchors including the Octagon Center for the Arts, City Auditorium, Central Iowa Symphony and the Ames Public Library. Historic architecture in the district includes a 1900 train depot and the former city hall, a 1916 building on the National Register of Historic Places. Retail art galleries, streetscape/public art and a band shell dot the area, and a historic residential district is nearby. Housing within the Main Street CED provides space for about 150 residents above existing retail businesses, in former homes converted to apartments and in several newer apartment units. Becoming a certified CED will help the area market its cultural activities and provide additional incentives to artists and creative people to live and work in the district, expand employment opportunities and grow its tax base.
Cedar Falls
Downtown Cedar Falls
Cedar
Falls - Downtown Cedar Falls Cultural and Entertainment District Map
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, caryanglum@cfu.net
Cedar Rapids
Czech Village/New Bohemia Cultural District
Cedar
Rapids - Czech Village/New Bohemia Cultural District Map
The Czech Village/New Bohemia Cultural District in Cedar Rapids includes a vibrant cultural community centered on the historic Czech Village on the west side of the Cedar River and the New Bohemia area on the east side of the river. The Cherry Building, in the center of the New Bohemia district, has been renovated and houses dozens of creative enterprises from photography studios to jewelers. The CSPS Hall on Third Street SE is one of the most innovative performance spaces in the Midwest, and Legion Arts has hosted nationally-known recording artists, and painting and sculpture exhibits. The African-American Museum & Cultural Center of Iowa is in the New Bohemian neighborhood, and the Bridge of Lions links New Bohemia and Czech Village, the original home of the city’s largest Czech population and current home of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Contact Timothy Boyle at 319-398-5009 for more information.
Charles City
Charles City Cultural District
Charles
City - Charles City Cultural District Map
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 1860s. Contact: Jim Thompson, 641-228-2335, cccdjim@netconx.net
Cherokee
Cherokee Cultural and Entertainment District
Cherokee
- Cherokee Cultural and Entertainment District Map
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@netins.net
Clinton
Riverview Cultural and Entertainment District
Clinton
- Main Street Cultural and Entertainment District Map
The Clinton plan calls for creating a distinctive boardwalk with restaurants, entertainment and carnival rides; extending North River Drive to Main Avenue and establishing nearby public places; renovating its unique “1,000” steps site; and more, including expanded walking and hiking trails in Eagle Point Park.
Davenport
Downtown Davenport Cultural District
Davenport
- Downtown Davenport Cultural District Map
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, rogalskibobbi@sau.edu
Des Moines
Historic East Village Cultural and Entertainment District
Des
Moines - Historic East Village Cultural and Entertainment District Map
Located on the east side of the Des Moines River, the Historic East Village is one of Des Moines’ original commerce areas, and it encompasses some of Des Moines’ most significant buildings including the State Capitol, the State Historical Building and numerous structures on the National Register of Historic Places. The CED certification will reinforce efforts civic and business leaders already have taken to preserve and rehabilitate historical buildings that house eclectic restaurants, boutiques and a wide variety of other retail establishments with an artistic twist unique to Iowa. The district will leverage existing local financial incentives to encourage high quality, compact, development that enhances the downtown riverfront, attracts visitors and residents, and assures redevelopment adjacent to the river is compatible with the plan for mixed-use neighborhoods, and to establish the district as an interconnected, pedestrian-oriented cultural and recreational destination.
Des Moines
Court Avenue Cultural and Entertainment District
Des
Moines - Court Avenue Cultural and Entertainment District Map
Dating back to 1846, the Court Avenue area has been home to Des Moines’ first 2-story house, the first public school, the first post office, the first bank and the first bridge across the Des Moines River at Court Avenue. Today, the district is full of historic buildings and shops that house popular restaurants, clubs and an assortment of rapidly growing residential spaces. The area includes cultural events (Farmer’s Market, Court Avenue Blues Fest, Des Moines Art Festival), venues (Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, Science Center of Iowa, Principal Park) and historic buildings (Polk County Court House, Hotel Kirkwood, Fleming Building) that attract residents and tourists who support restaurants and other hospitality offerings. Local business, civic and government leaders have been working to beautify the area with green spaces and streetscapes. Other projects include a $26 million Principal Riverwalk and other enhancements in 12 additional acres of land downtown. New housing units are under construction, of which 25 percent are income-qualifying units that provide an affordable housing option for downtown workers.
Des Moines
Roosevelt Cultural and Entertainment District
Des
Moines - Roosevelt Cultural and Entertainment District Map
Located at the hub of five neighborhood associations, the Roosevelt CED is a compact community of small businesses, schools and cultural attractions. The district plans to have Roosevelt High School students create a web site – for class credit – that will be an interactive link to the neighborhood associations, businesses, schools and the Des Moines Playhouse. Housing in the district features a variety of opportunities for live/work space for artists and cultural workers. Ultimately, the district’s primary goal is to unify the area as the hub of activity among the surrounding neighborhoods. Highlights include the installation of landscape/streetscape art, benches, planters and banners. The area also features cultural opportunities offered through the Des Moines Playhouse, four art galleries, restaurants and other businesses.
Dubuque
Downtown Dubuque Cultural Corridor
Dubuque
- Downtown Dubuque Cultural Corridor Map
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: Katie Bahl, 563-588-4400, katiedmsl@qwest.net
Elkader
Elkader Cultural District
Elkader
- Elkader Cultural District Map
With 9 National Register Historic Sites, Elkader is the marketing and governmental center of Clayton County and is home to more than 170 business offering more than 65 unique services to residents and visitors. The district includes a lively downtown with restaurants and shops, a first-run movie theater, a restored opera house and numerous recreational opportunities that include canoeing, fishing, “tater” races on the river, hiking trails and scenic spots along the riverwalk that connects downtown and the city park. Other features include the 1889 Keystone Bridge – the longest arched span west of the Mississippi River – and gift shops, including the restored Bayless Hotel that has 3 floors of consignment crafts and furnishings. Elkader was honored by Main Street Iowa with the Great American Main Street Award in 2001. Contact Olivia Bruns at 563-245-2770 for more information.
Fairfield
Fairfield Cultural and Entertainment District
Fairfield
- Fairfield Cultural and Entertainment District Map
With more than 300 artists and 20 art galleries, Fairfield offers residents and visitors a large variety of cultural opportunities. Local leaders will use the CED certification to create greater collaboration among local cultural organizations and increase recognition of its robust art, music and theater scene. At present time, the district is home to 15 structures on the National Register of Historic Places, and another 15 structures have been nominated. Current plans also call for restoration of neighborhoods surrounding a historic depot that served two railroads – the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. The district is supported by other areas in the community, including the Town-University Cultural Corridor, the Entrepreneurial Corridor, Maharishi University and the North Side Architectural and Historical sites, including Bonnifield Cabin (the oldest standing structure in Iowa) and the DuBois-Ball Home.
Iowa City
Old Capitol Cultural District
Iowa River District Cultural District
Iowa
City - Cultural Districts Map
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 of Iowa 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 of Iowa and the gold dome of the Old Capitol building has become a symbol and source of pride for the University of Iowa. The UI 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 Avenue 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@icccvb.org
Keokuk
Keokuk Cultural and Entertainment District
Keokuk
- Keokuk Cultural and Entertainment District Map
Keokuk’s predominantly Victorian-era architecture includes houses once called “home” by Howard Hughes, Roger Maris and Samuel Clemens. Cultural features found within the district include Hubinger Landing, campgrounds, and “Rollin’ on the River” blues festival in Victory Park, which is also home to the George M. Verity riverboat museum. Local leaders hope to restore Union Station for art studios and small retail/restaurant businesses. In addition, the “top of the bluff” portion of the district contains a majority of Keokuk’s cultural venues including the elegantly restored Grand Theater, which is home to plays, concert performances, dance recitals, band and vocal performances. Other attractions in the district include six National Register properties and the home of Samuel Clemens’ mother.
Marion
Marion Cultural and Entertainment District
Marion
- Marion Cultural and Entertainment District Map
This district lies in the heart of Marion and has been the site of an eclectic range of cultural activities and opportunities for many years. CED certification will serve as the focal point for ongoing preservation and development of the area’s cultural attractions, including the Liars Holographic Radio Theater, the Marion Arts Festival and the Pucker Street Historic District. Encompassing City Square Park, galleries and boutique retail outlets, the district will link downtown Marion with other entertainment and cultural areas in Eastern Iowa, including the Cultural Corridor between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
Mason City
Mason City Downtown Cultural and Entertainment District
Mason
City - Main Street Cultural and Entertainment District Map
The certification of the Mason City Downtown Cultural and Entertainment District will enhance ongoing downtown revitalization efforts implemented through the state’s Main Street Program. The area offers a number of cultural programs (fairs, farmer’s markets, wine tasting and art/puppetry camps for kids) and venues (Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, Music Man Square/Meredith Willson Museum, Meredith Willson Boyhood Home, State Street Gallery). Historic preservation efforts have included the rehabilitation of the Park Inn Hotel, and the Downtown Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Muscatine
Pearl City Cultural District
Melon City Cultural District
Muscatine
- Cultural Districts Map
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, gcarlson@muscatine.com
Pella
Strawtown Cultural District
Old Pella Cultural District
College Cultural District
Pella
-Cultural Districts Map
Pella’s 3 newly certified Cultural Districts includes arts, historic and cultural organizations, city government and businesses. Brinkhoff Park at the corner of Washington and East 6th Street provides a dramatic entrance to the west end to historic Old Pella. The Strawtown Cultural district includes the Washington Street corridor, which provides visitors with a welcoming, beautiful and historic entrance to the Old Pella Cultural District at the city center. The Old Pella Cultural District features many of Pella’s most significant historic structures and the original site for the town. The College Cultural District includes the culturally vibrant Central College as an integral part of the Pella arts and entertainment experience. Contact Tilly Woodward at 641-780-5215 for more information.
Perry
Perry Cultural District
Perry
- Perry Cultural District Map
The Perry Cultural District includes the downtown business district and Pattee Park. The district is home to a wide variety of entities, businesses and non-profit organizations that offer diverse cultural offerings to visitors, potential residents and new businesses. Perry will use the certification to recruit artists and creative business to relocate to the area, focus on the preservation of buildings in its downtown historic district and promote the area as a tourist destination. Contact Wendy Goodale at 515-465-4601 for more information.
Sioux City
Historic fourth Street Cultural District
City Center Cultural and Entertainment District
Government Center Cultural District
Sioux
City - Cultural Districts Map
The Sioux City plan focuses on creating recreational trails and wayfinding signage in the downtown area; transforming the existing Yards area into a more aesthically pleasing and functional area for recreation and historical preservation; studying the feasibility of a joint Museum/Regents center in the area, and more, including the creation of a Sioux City School of Architecture that capitalizes on the community’s unique terra cotta “brand.”
Spencer
Spencer Downtown Cultural District
Spencer
- Spencer
Downtown Cultural District Map
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 Bogenrief’s 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 Avenue, and conversion of the Old Middle School building to an artist’s incubator and studio. Contact: Dean Torreson, 712-580-7200, deantorreson@smunet.net
Waterloo
The Downtown Waterloo Cultural Entertainment District
Waterloo
- The Downtown Waterloo Cultural and Entertainment District Map
The core of the Downtown Waterloo Cultural and Entertainment District has been in existence since 1998. Known as Waterloo’s Cultural Crossroads, it celebrates, promotes and enhances the cultural heritage of the community in the heart of Waterloo. Businesses and events within the district represent multi-ethnicities, and adaptive reuse projects are underway in historical buildings. Local leaders plan to strengthen development projects; invest in more cultural, educational and recreational projects; create beautification programs; increase employment opportunities; attract tourists and residents; enhance property values, expand the tax base; and develop a more creative and innovative environment. The district offers a number of cultural venues including the Grout Museum, Waterloo Center for the Arts, the Waterloo Community Playhouse, the Waterloo Public Library, Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center and Black Hawk Children’s Theater in addition to a number of outdoor attractions including Washington, Lincoln and Sullivan parks.
West Des Moines
Historic Valley Junction Cultural District
West
Des Moines - Historic Valley Junction Cultural District Map
The Historic Valley Junction Cultural District is centered on historic 5th Street from Vine Street to Railroad Avenue. The Historic Valley Junction Cultural District includes Phenix Early Childhood Center, the central business district, single family homes, unique stores and restaurants, art galleries and independent businesses. As one of Central Iowa’s most unique attractions, Historic Valley Junction has been a Main Street community since 1987. Contact Jim Miller at 515-222-3642 for more information.
