DCA certifies Western Gateway Cultural and Entertainment District in Des Moines
Western Gateway is 34th CED in Iowa; formal presentation June 17 at Hotel Fort Des Moines
For Immediate Release June 5, 2009
(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs today announced it has certified the Western Gateway Cultural and Entertainment District in downtown Des Moines.
The CED initiative recognizes well-established partnerships between city and county governments and local nonprofit or for-profit organizations, businesses and individuals that enhance the quality of life for the people of Iowa.
“Cultural and Entertainment Districts are areas that revitalize a community and boost its economic development through arts, history and culture,” Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Director Cyndi Pederson said. “They strengthen our connections with the arts and other cultures, they broaden our understanding of the world around us, and they grow our economy by helping small businesses create jobs that appeal to highly-educated cultural workers.”
DCA will present Western Gateway CED leaders with official signage at 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 17, 2009, outside the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 10th and Walnut streets in Des Moines.
In approving the certification, Pederson noted the Western Gateway CED – bordered by Grand Avenue, Mulberry Street, and 8th and 15th streets – has emerged as a symbolic “front door” to downtown Des Moines.
It offers green space, a public sculpture garden, the new Des Moines Public Library and the Pappajohn Education Center, and hosts major events such as the Des Moines Arts Festival and the 80/35 Music Festival.
The Des Moines Social Club, The Temple for Performing Arts, Centro Restaurant, and the Arlington and Hallett buildings are also included in the Western Gateway CED. The Fitch Building, with artist lofts and studios, also resides in the CED while rehabilitated and newly-constructed buildings complement the burgeoning downtown scene.
Owners of historic properties within CEDs are eligible to apply for the Historic Preservation and Cultural and Entertainment District Tax Credit Program to assist in rehabilitating their historic properties.
In 2004, Iowa became the second state in the country to implement a CED program – positioning the arts and culture as the center of revitalization efforts. The impact of CEDs is measurable:
- The arts and areas with historic structures attract residents and tourists who also support adjacent businesses such as restaurants, lodging, retail and entertainment.
- The presence of the arts and cultural opportunities enhances property values, the profitability of surrounding businesses and the tax base of the region.
- CEDs attract a diverse and well-educated workforce – a key incentive for new and relocating businesses.
- CED’s contribute to the creativity and innovation of a community.
DCA has also certified 33 other CEDs in Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Cherokee, Clinton, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Elkader, Fairfield, Grinnell, Iowa City, Keokuk, Le Claire, Marion, Mason City, Muscatine, Oskaloosa, Pella, Perry, Sioux City, Spencer, Waterloo and West Des Moines.
Visit www.iowahistory.org for more information about Iowa’s CED program.
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The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the General Assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.
