Main Street will:

• Continue the timely implementation and funding of the 70+ initiatives as detailed in the Comprehensive Downtown Master Plan.

• Having celebrated grand opening of the downtown business resource center, will add a resource professional to assist by downtown developers, property owners and business managers.

• Continue to secure enhanced partnership efforts with synergistic economic development organizations, such as Dubuque Initiatives.

• Release the new Dubuque Main Street Business Assistance Kit to better promote resource, program and incentive support available to downtown stakeholders. This is designed to further help stakeholders maximize state, federal and private/foundation funds (and other fiscal incentives) for new development, redevelopment, financial assistance, and public improvement projects

• Explore a signature project for downtown Dubuque, with sites set on the new Warehouse District & the advantages the development of that district will have on the traditional downtown districts.

• Work with City officials on the full implementation of the initiatives forwarded by the CLUE Group consultants with a focus on full utilization of all buildings and properties, including upper levels for residential usage, including the acquisition of New Markets Tax Credits for this purpose.

• Continue to take the lead in the management and development of the newly activated Warehouse/Millworking District, with the implementation of the Strategic Planning, adopted in 2007. This includes close work of the Envision 2010 committee.

• Continue to escalate the venture that is our Cultural Corridor, through aggressive arts growth advocacy and completion of the district’s and potentially the introduction of a new ARTs celebration in early 2008..

•  Collaborate with the City & other economic development advocates to assess downtown parking needs, to the end of an enhanced parking system.

• Work closely with the City on expanding streetscape and other public improvements (specifically through the Upper Main District, “updating” existing codes to stimulate downtown development, and “increasing the livability” of the heart of our community. .

• Support and fund activities that bring people “...to the downtown..,” such as Architecture Days, Dubuque...and All That Jazz, Farmers’ Market, Puttzin’ Around Downtown, the Cable Car Square Chili Cook-Off, Discover Downtown Dubuque Days, and more.

• In alliance with the new Business Accelerator, expand the recently introduced entrepreneurial neighborhood facility within Dubuque’s central business district.

• Work with the State of Iowa’s newly-establish Main Street Iowa Economic Revitalization & Urban Neighborhood specialists on our micro-recruitment program.

• Reinvigorate and re-evaluate our volunteer recruitment, use & recognition program.

• Further the initiatives in expanding young-adult-/youth-appeal to both the Main Street program and downtown, in general.

Other Activities & Services

• Serves as liaison between downtown businesses and city, state & national government.
• Provides a support system for existing downtown businesses.
• Serves as an information clearinghouse, responding to thousands of inquiries each year from businesses and individuals.
• Maintains a list of available commercial and residential downtown properties.
• Markets downtown to new business prospects.
• Manages the Town Clock area, the recently designated Cultural Corridor and Farmers’ Market.
• Coordinates the annual Business P.M. trade show for downtown enterprises and organizations.   
• Plans and implements a comprehensive downtown cleanup project for the Main Street districts and beyond.
• Publishes a monthly newsletter to provide current information to downtown businesses.
• Promotes downtown through a variety of special events and communication activities.
• Oversees communication with state and federal agencies and remains current on resources available through Main Street programs.
• Informs the business community of issues and activities in the downtown district.
• Supports city festivals and community activities.
• Coordinates the downtown holiday decoration project.
• Conducts an annual commercial rental rate survey.
• Remains active and committed to a vital downtown!