MISSION - Downtown Partners, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization of public and private partnerships existing to serve the needs and interests of the Downtown and community at large. The Downtown Partners mission is to preserve and revitalize Downtown Burlington. The goals of Downtown Partners are to enhance the economy, infrastructure, and historical and cultural features for the City of Burlington. In 1986, The National Trust for Historic Preservation
and Main Street Iowa first certified Downtown Burlington as a National Main Street Community.
PURPOSES - Partnersí overall basic purposes are to:
Assist and retain existing businesses and organizations
Market the Downtown to all audiences
Recruit new businesses and other activity generators
Facilitate upper floor development for commercial and residential use
Advocate for the Downtown before City and County Government
SERVICES - Through coordination efforts of volunteers, ìpartnersî and staff, Downtown Partners offers support to Downtown Businesses and property owners in areas of:
Advocacy for business and residential development needs
Cooperative marketing
Historic Property nomination assistance
Building design assistance
Maintaining and sharing a list of available properties
Recruiting and expanding businesses
Assisting with predevelopment needs
Business Education
Tour information
Speakers Bureau
Monthly Newsletter
Opportunities to meet with others in the Downtown
Opportunities to volunteer
Information and referrals
FUNDING - Funds for Downtown Partners, Inc. comes from contributions by:
The City of Burlington
Burlington/West Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Grow Greater Burlington
Property Owners
Business Owners
Other Contributions
All these organizations have provided funds for Partnersí operations and program of work.
Property owners in the Downtown contribute through the Self Supporting Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) tax.
ORGANIZATION - Downtown Partnersí governing Board is comprised of nine Downtown property owners, the city Manager, A Downtown tenant/merchant representative, and on director each from the Burlington City Council, Grow Greater Burlington, Convention and Tourism Bureau, and Chamber of Commerce.
Partners meets its purpose through the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and four divisional committees. They Are:
The Advocacy Committee promotes Downtown interests before local, state and national governments, coordinates programs and activities with governmental bodies, solicits government support, and conducts on-going public education programs.
The Marketing Committee promotes the Downtown as a place to work, shop and live by establishing a yearly schedule of promotional activities to benefit businesses. The activities include advertising, special events, public relations, tourism, market research, parking promotions, events calendar, Downtown employee seminars, and hospitality services.
Subcommittees include Tourism, Public Relations/Newsletter, Events, and Promotions.
The Business Development Committee develops and coordinates central business support and recruiting programs, and maintains a Downtown data base, business relocation program, leasing services and business education programs. Subcommittees include Business Retention and Business Recruitment.
The Planning Committee develops and coordinates improvement projects, parking studies and programs, transportation and circulation, maintenance and security, capital improvements, residential and upper floor development, building facades and signage. Within the committee is the Design Subcommittee.
© Downtown Partners, Inc. 2007
All Rights Reserved
Val Giannettino - Executive Director