Group hopes to boost downtown
Early discussions focus on parking, repairs
By Lynn Zerschling, Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, September 25, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- When customers walk into Bo'ris Fashion Gallery, they want to find that perfect wedding gown at the right price.
In order to make those sales, Bev Kistenmacher said Wednesday she has to get people to visit downtown Sioux City, where her shop is located at 421 Pierce St.
"First we have to solve the parking problem," she said. "I think people want a little entertainment with their shopping."
Kistenmacher shared her ideas at a recent strategic planning session sponsored by Downtown Partners, one of five such meetings the nonprofit business group is hosting. From comments made at four private meetings and a public town hall meeting this afternoon, the organization's board will develop a strategic plan to help boost downtown Sioux City.
"We're getting some great input for the board and things we can accomplish," said Marlo Hermelbracht, a Downtown Partners board member. "I think there is a huge opportunity for us to pull all of downtown together."
He attended two meetings -- one in his capacity as a board member and the second representing Knoefler Chevrolet, where he is the general manager.
Fred Holcomb, vice president of sales for United Commercial Real Estate, said meetings have focused on creating a good first impression.
"When you show a house, you want the front door to be painted, the lawn groomed and to have an overall nice appearance to the property," he said. "There could be some improvements downtown."
Those include having the city do more frequent painting of the street stripes, clean up alleys and areas in front of vacant buildings and repair crumbling curbs.
At the planning meeting for retailers, Kistenmacher said the discussion also centered on how to offer more convenient parking.
"The parking meters right now only give an hour to two hours of shopping. One hour is definitely not enough particularly if you are trying on gowns in my store," she said. "If you get a parking ticket, it costs $7. I realize the ramps are going to help with that."
The retailers also proposed downtown businesses do more joint marketing and hold joint sales to bring people downtown on specific days. The group suggested Downtown Partners offer entertainment during the day, not just on weekends or after work hours.
"There's been a lot of positive things happening downtown," Holcomb said. "We just need to keep moving forward."
Share your ideas
The public is invited to share their opinions on how to improve downtown at 5:30 p.m. today at the Holiday Inn, 701 Gordon Drive.
Deb Burnight, owner of Burnight Facilitated Resources, will lead the discussion. Attendees will be asked to fill out a survey. The event is sponsored by Downtown Partners, which will draft its new strategic plan based on the outcome of the planning sessions.
Downtown Partners is a nonprofit organization that sponsors a range of activities to foster downtown revitalization.
In order to make those sales, Bev Kistenmacher said Wednesday she has to get people to visit downtown Sioux City, where her shop is located at 421 Pierce St.
"First we have to solve the parking problem," she said. "I think people want a little entertainment with their shopping."
Kistenmacher shared her ideas at a recent strategic planning session sponsored by Downtown Partners, one of five such meetings the nonprofit business group is hosting. From comments made at four private meetings and a public town hall meeting this afternoon, the organization's board will develop a strategic plan to help boost downtown Sioux City.
"We're getting some great input for the board and things we can accomplish," said Marlo Hermelbracht, a Downtown Partners board member. "I think there is a huge opportunity for us to pull all of downtown together."
He attended two meetings -- one in his capacity as a board member and the second representing Knoefler Chevrolet, where he is the general manager.
Fred Holcomb, vice president of sales for United Commercial Real Estate, said meetings have focused on creating a good first impression.
"When you show a house, you want the front door to be painted, the lawn groomed and to have an overall nice appearance to the property," he said. "There could be some improvements downtown."
Those include having the city do more frequent painting of the street stripes, clean up alleys and areas in front of vacant buildings and repair crumbling curbs.
At the planning meeting for retailers, Kistenmacher said the discussion also centered on how to offer more convenient parking.
"The parking meters right now only give an hour to two hours of shopping. One hour is definitely not enough particularly if you are trying on gowns in my store," she said. "If you get a parking ticket, it costs $7. I realize the ramps are going to help with that."
The retailers also proposed downtown businesses do more joint marketing and hold joint sales to bring people downtown on specific days. The group suggested Downtown Partners offer entertainment during the day, not just on weekends or after work hours.
"There's been a lot of positive things happening downtown," Holcomb said. "We just need to keep moving forward."
Share your ideas
The public is invited to share their opinions on how to improve downtown at 5:30 p.m. today at the Holiday Inn, 701 Gordon Drive.
Deb Burnight, owner of Burnight Facilitated Resources, will lead the discussion. Attendees will be asked to fill out a survey. The event is sponsored by Downtown Partners, which will draft its new strategic plan based on the outcome of the planning sessions.
Downtown Partners is a nonprofit organization that sponsors a range of activities to foster downtown revitalization.
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Oldtimer wrote on Sep 26, 2008 7:47 PM:
Yeah RIght wrote on Sep 26, 2008 9:38 AM:
Blubu wrote on Sep 26, 2008 6:48 AM:
me wrote on Sep 25, 2008 10:35 AM:
I can't remember how many times I put in a quarter to run into a business, the meter expires, and less than 5 minutes later, I have a ticket. I can just go to the Lakeport commons and park for free. Now I just don't go downtown at all. I know I'm not alone.
Notice all the empty stores down there? "