Clinton cultural district unveiled
For Immediate Release February 17, 2006
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – Lt. Governor Sally Pederson and Department of Cultural Affairs Director Anita Walker met with government and community leaders from Clinton today at the State Capitol to unveil the Riverview Cultural and Entertainment District.
The district, one of 21 certified in 17 Iowa communities during the last two years by DCA, encourages city and county governments to partner with local community organizations, businesses and individuals to enhance the quality of life for Iowans. With certification of the district, Clinton and the state have completed the first task in their Great Places agreement.
“There is a true commitment to culture here as well as a spirit of cooperation and encouragement and a desire to build on your success,” Pederson said. “I’m so proud that Iowa is one of the first states in the country to implement a program to certify cultural districts – we’re just the second state to do so. Not only do these districts celebrate what Iowa has to offer for culture, but I also think they are a great economic development tool.”
The Riverview CED lies in the heart of Clinton and is home to unique architecture and historic structures. Through Downtown Partnership, Clinton’s Self-Sustaining Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) has worked to preserve historic buildings in its downtown area.
Preservation of the Van Allen Building, facade improvements to downtown storefronts and the redevelopment of the Howes Building demonstrate the Partnership’s dedication to preserving the area’s architecture. The classical Greek-style First National Bank Building and the classic Carnegie style of the Clinton Public Library are just two of the other architectural structures in the Historic Downtown Clinton area.
In addition to historic preservation, Clinton seeks to make the district a destination point where people can explore the arts, experience other cultures and find interesting things to do. Activities could include taking art classes, shopping in galleries, visiting coffee shops and boutiques and hiking along the Mississippi River.
CED certification allows Clinton to market cultural opportunities effectively and aggressively, and work to create synergies and build cooperation between different groups and businesses to promote events.
The Riverview CED is also part of Clinton’s Great Places vision. In October, the Great Places Citizen Advisory Board designated Clinton one of the three pilot Great Places. Coon Rapids and Sioux City are the other two.
Great Places is an initiative developed by Governor Tom Vilsack that is designed to bring together the resources of state government to build capacity in communities, regions, neighborhoods or districts to cultivate the unique and authentic qualities that make the places special.
In making its decision on the three pilot places, the Great Places Citizen Advisory Board examined the dimensions each offer was asked to address: a unique sense of place; engaging experiences, a rich, diverse social fabric; a vital, creative economy; a pleasing environment; a strong foundation; and a creative culture. The board also looked at each offer’s level of readiness to move forward with implementation.
CEDs enrich local economies by developing and sustaining cultural arts opportunities that enhance property values, the profitability of surrounding businesses and the tax base of the region. CEDs also contribute to the creativity and innovation of a community by attracting a diverse and well-educated workforce — a key incentive for new and relocating businesses.
Benefits offered to CEDs could include historic tax credits for rehabilitation of historic structures or other incentives that create live/work space for cultural workers, space for cultural enterprises and access to financial assistance programs from state agencies and other funding partners.
Other communities that have received CED certification include Ames, Cedar Falls, Charles City, Cherokee, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fairfield, Iowa City, Keokuk, Marion, Mason City, Muscatine, Sioux City, Spencer and Waterloo.
Applications for next year’s certifications are due September 1, 2006. For more information, contact Jack Porter at 515.242.6152 or Jack.Porter@iowa.gov or visit www.culturalaffairs.org.
###
