Looking Back...and Forward
It was a year of challenges, but we continue 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 2019:
  • The Tama site was finally cleared for redevelopment, and Jefferson St. was reopened.
  • Downtown Partners hosted design consultant Anna Woodward, who presented a program and conducted
    one-on-one business visits to assist with visual merchandising at no charge.
  • Following the June flood and the passing of Iowa Store proprietor Bonnie Baldwin, the Port of Burlington Welcome Center was rehabbed and now includes gift items.
  • Redevelopment continues at 425 Valley St. for 38 new apartments as well as new first floor commercial spaces. Four additional apartments are under construction downtown.
  • Downtown hosted A Very Vintage Market, the RAGBRAI party, and the Gus Macker tournaments on three back-to back weekends.
  • Formerly vacant, 805 Jefferson received a façade rehab and now houses The Collective Food Hub, the region's first shared-use commercial kitchen and retail space, partly funded by a Main Street Challenge Grant through Downtown Partners.
  • Parking lots at Third and Washington, Sixth and Washington, and Fifth and Valley were converted from paid to free parking for the unleased stalls, opening up on-street spaces for customers and visitors.
  • Downtown Partners presented 49 event days and produced holiday shopping commercials on the Hallmark Channel and Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas
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 2020!  
Downtown Partners Major Events for 2020
It's going to be another busy year! Contact Downtown Partners at 319-208-0056 for information about any of these events.

February
8
 Chocoholic Frolic
April 4  Spring Open House

24 Spring Sip, Taste & Stroll
May 7 Jefferson St. Farmers Market begins

22 Friday Night Fever cycle races

23 Snake Alley Criterium
July 18 A Very Vintage Market
September
 24 Jefferson St. Farmers Market ends
October
 22 Witches Night Out

30 Downtown Trick or Treat
November
 7 Pumpkin Spice & Holiday Nice Market

15 Holiday Open House

28 Lighted Holiday Parade
December
 10 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.
Get the New Parking Info
Downtown employees and visitors alike are enjoying the newly declared free off-street parking lots! The City has updated the downtown parking map/brochure to reflect the changes and the new time limits for on-street spaces. You can download it by clicking here.  We especially encourage downtown businesses to share it with their employees so prime on-street parking is available for customers.  
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 Julie Lehman, presenting sponsor Pritchard Broadcasting, and all those who made Living Windows such a success last month!
  • Thanks also to Brian Isom of TD&T CPAs & Advisors, P.C. for letting us use the former Law's Jewelry space at 319 Jefferson as a pop-up holiday retail location for Sarah Hall Unique Designs and Inspired by Evie Boutique. The pop-up filled a vacancy, helped activate the block, and gave local entrepreneurs a showcase for their businesses - a win all around!
  • Vendor applications for A Very Vintage Market on July 18 will be open soon online. Follow the AVVM Facebook page for news about the fifth annual event.
  • The next Downtown Kegs & Conversation will be Wednesday, January 29 at 5:15 PM at Corked 101, 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! Thanks to The Hawk Eye for their support of Downtown Kegs & Conversation.
  • The fifth annual Chocoholic Frolic is on Saturday, February 8 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 online.  Thanks to Kodiak Cakes for making this event possible.
Like Us!

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

An Affiliate Program of the Greater Burlington Partnership
RiverPark Place
610 N 4th Street, Suite 200
Burlington, IA  52601

Steve Frevert, Director of Downtown Partners, Inc.
[email protected]  -  319-208-0056

Upcoming
Downtown Events


JANUARY   

6 - Random Rocks of Kindness
Burlington Public Library
11 AM

7 - Angry Birds 2
Burlington Public Library
6 PM

8 - Civic Music presents Fandango
Capitol Theater
7:30 PM

9 - Tween/Teen Chess Night
Burlington Public Library
6 PM

10 - Friends of the Library Trivia Night
Burlington Public Library
6:30 PM

Mystery Dinner
The Beancounter
7 PM

Jerad & Nathan
Wake N Bake Breakfast Co.
7 PM

11 - Battle of the Brushes
Art Center
4 PM

GA-20, Biscuit Miller & the Mix The Washington
8 PM

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

17 - Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Burlington Public Library
5:30 PM

David Kroll & Heartland
Memorial Auditorium
8 PM

18 - Chess for Adults
Burlington Public Library
9 AM

Lego Club/P.I.E.C.E.S, Burlington Public Library
9 AM  
  
Arctic Challenge
Burlington Bent River Brewing Co.
1 PM

Atlas Take Charge, Beyond the Heavens, Main State
The Washington
7 PM

Elton Dan & the Rocket Band
Capitol Theater
7:30 PM

David Kroll & Heartland
Memorial Auditorium
8 PM

20 - Abominable
Burlington Public Library
2 PM

24 - Nic Fry
Wake N Bake Breakfast Co.
6 PM

Gauguin from the National Gallery, London
Capitol Theater
7 PM

25 - Friends of the Library Book Sale
Burlington Public Library
9 AM

Eagle Watch
Port of Burlington
10 AM

Gauguin from the National Gallery, London
Capitol Theater
2 PM

26 - Gauguin from the National Gallery, London
Capitol Theater
2 PM

29 - Downtown Coffee & Conversation
Corked 101
5:15 PM




Downtown Partners, Inc. 
Board of Directors 2020

 
Becky Anderson - Chair
Legacy Partners
 
Julie Lehman - Chair Elect
 
Laura Beckman - Past Chair
Alliant Energy
 
Ryan Nagrocki - Treasurer
Two Rivers Bank & Trust
 
Megan Bell
PZAZZ
 
Stephanie Brakeville,
Klingner and Associates
 
Tom Burch
F & M Bank
 
Janine Clover
Small Business Development Center
 
Robert Critser
Burlington City Council
 
Jim Ferneau
Burlington City Manager
 
Hillaurie Fritz-Bonar
Art Center of Burlington
 
Zach James
Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission
 
Jerry Johnson
Capitol Theater
 
Vanessa Watson
Great River Health
 
Suann Wells
The Beancounter
 
Tom Wolf
The Collective Food Hub