Annual Report - Downtown Fond du Lac

Downtown
Fond du Lac
Partnership
Annual Report
A Letter from the President
Downtown Fond du Lac has a strong heritage that is worth sharing and this years
President’s message leans on history. Since Fond du Lac’s founding, the downtown has
been the place we gather together to celebrate life events and live our daily lives. These
old brick and stone buildings are more than just a place to transact commerce. This is
the place we parade together, we protest together, and sometimes even pray together.
It’s a special place we can all be proud of.
2012
The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership (DFP) and its volunteers are working hard to
leverage our historic past while trying to foster hope and economic opportunity for
the future. Every month we witness progress. Currently, we watch with excitement as
Immanuel Trinity Lutheran Church evolves into a restaurant with artist lofts. This will
certainly add to the character of the Arts and Entertainment District. Each project, large
or small, helps improve the fabric of our downtown. It’s a good feeling to see a mix of
new construction and existing buildings being restored and made beautiful again.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Sam Meyer, State Farm Insurance
Another reason to be proud of the downtown? Downtown Fond du Lac is thick with
history! In 1836, Fond du Lac was being considered as Wisconsin’s new capital. Can
you imagine what downtown might look like today if that happened? We’ve been a
destination for presidential visits too. US Presidents Taft, Ford and Bush have gathered
in our downtown, evoking patriotic pride in our community. A young Senator Kennedy
stayed at the Hotel Retlaw (Ramada) in 1960 while running for President, as have other
famous individuals. In 1902, the infamous Carrie Nation wielded her bar smashing
hatchet at the Schmidt Sample Room (Finnegan’s), smashing a patron’s whiskey bottle
and declaring, “Every German in Wisconsin should be blown up with dynamite”. Being
of German descent, I’m glad cooler heads prevailed in 1902. Captain Adolph Bechaud
started Fond du Lac’s Bechaud Brewery in 1871 with his brothers. Bechaud Brewery
owned a building on N. Main St. and its rumored, during prohibition; beer ran through
copper pipes on the second floor of the building to secretly serve patrons on the first
floor. There are countless fun and interesting stories, like these, about our fabulous
downtown.
VICE PRESIDENT
Lynn Wehner, Hometown Bank
SECRETARY
Liv Moyer, Set in Ink
TREASURER
Dave Schneider, MAG Giddings and Lewis
PAST PRESIDENT
Joe Tasch, The Nielsen Company
Angela Bingen, B&B United Enterprises, LLC
Tom Deitte, Edith’s Bridal and Tuxedo Junction
Mike Feudner, Agnesian Healthcare
Mitch Kahl, Jackson Kahl Insurance
Louie Lange, The Commonwealth Companies
Kevin Miller, Windhover Center for the Arts
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Joe Reitemeier, Fond du Lac Area Association
of Commerce
Owen Rock, Fond du Lac County Economic
Development Corporation
Wayne Rollin, City of Fond du Lac
The DFP, along with our County and City partners, continues economic development
efforts and understands the challenges of the current recession. Previous downtown
captains of commerce, shopkeepers, tavern owners, and merchants struggled with
similar economic challenges as we face today and prevailed. Some have called the
current economic reversal, the Great Recession. Will we pull out of this slump? You
bet! Our history proves it. I’m sure business owners during the Great Depression were
asking themselves similar questions in the 1930’s.
Contact us:
207 N. Main St.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-921-9500
www.downtownfdl.com
Amy Hansen
Executive Director
amyh@fdlac.com
Amber Wiebelhaus
Director of Marketing and Special Events
amber@fdlac.com
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Kathy Tasch
Research Assistant
kathyt@fdlac.com
Downtown Fond du Lac has fostered many new businesses over the decades and will
continue to do so. Beginning as a small downtown steam heat and plumbing shop
in 1880, J.F. Ahern Co. has become one of the largest, most respected mechanical
contractors in the nation. Holiday Auto, Action Advertiser, Schreiner’s Restaurant, and
many others...where did they all begin? Downtown Fond du Lac! We can be just as
proud of the many businesses that call downtown home today.
Why so much history in this years President’s message? Because our
future success is built on the shoulders of those who came before us. Our
predecessors set the foundation and we need to recognize, respect, and be
proud of our unique heritage. Our historic character is an asset we should
leverage, its what sets us apart from the big box stores. Customers will seek us
out because we are unique and we should be proud of that. In the end, these
old brick and stone buildings are more than just a place to transact commerce.
We truly are the heart of the community.
Sam Meyer, President
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
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2011 Friend of
Downtown Fond du Lac
Wayne Rollin
The DFP would like to extend special thanks to Wayne
Rollin for his sustained commitment to the organization
and its ideals.
Wayne has been involved with the DFP since its inception,
and was at the forefront of the original creation of the
Business Improvement District. Wayne’s insightful
opinions and professional knowledge have kept the
partnership moving steadily forward. His meticulous
judgment has played a vital role in many important
decisions that have faced the organization. Wayne
has continually been a vocal supporter of the DFP
through various lobbying efforts including Fond du Lac
City Council, the Redevelopment Authority and the
Department of Transportation. In 2011, Wayne was the
creator of the new Façade Design Assistance Grant and
Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Program. Through his
support, funding for the new downtown parking signage
plan was approved and will begin implementation in
2012.
Wayne continues to serve on the DFP Board of Directors,
Executive Committee, Design Committee, and Downtown
Fond du Lac Project Management Team.
Wisconsin
Main Street Awards
The Wisconsin Department of Commerce recognized the
best downtown revitalization projects of 2010 at the 21st
Annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards, held in April 2011.
This year’s theme, “A Billion Reasons to Celebrate”
highlighted the more than $1.1 billion impact on the state of
Wisconsin through public and private reinvestment. Since
the program’s inception in 1988, the state’s Main Street
communities have attracted 4,122 new businesses and
18,280 new jobs.
Downtown Fond du Lac received awards in the following
categories:
2010 Best New Building Project
Fond du Lac Family YMCA
2010 Volunteer of the Year
Kevin Miller
2010 Honorary Board of Directors
Joe Tasch
2010 Best Public/Private Partnership in
Downtown Revitalization
Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership/City of Fond du Lac
In 2009, the City of Fond du Lac Community Development
Department and the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
worked together to complete the Downtown Fond du Lac
Development Plan. The plan outlines the goals, policies,
recommendations and implementation strategy for the
downtown in the upcoming years. Included is a plan to
establish three revitalization districts: the Gateway, River
Walk and the Arts & Entertainment District. The plan was
adopted by Fond du Lac City Council in February 2010.
Shining Star Campaign
In 2011 the Organization Committee launched the
Shining Star Campaign to raise money to purchase
high quality LED lights for Santa’s Tree in Veteran’s
Park. Santa’s Tree has become a gathering spot
for children and their families after the KFIZ Holiday
Parade. It is here where Mr. & Mrs. Claus deliver
their yuletide greeting. Thanks to generous
contributions from community partners, Santa’s
Tree could be lit.
Special Thanks to:
Fond du Lac Area Foundation
Fond du Lac Noon Rotary
Fond du Lac Morning Rotary
State Farm Insurance/Sam Meyer
Good Shepherd Post 1329
Langholff Chiropractic and Wellness
American Legion Auxiliary
Rebecca Lunde-Ross
Domino’s Pizza
Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce staff
Downtown
Morning Exchanges
This bi-monthly networking event was held at a variety
of downtown businesses giving each host the chance
to showcase their one-of-a-kind business. Fellow
“downtowners” had the chance to catch up on the
latest downtown news and upcoming events.
Thank you to our 2011 hosts:
As You Wish
Cujak’s Wine Market & Wine Bar
Lillian’s
State Farm Insurance/Sam Meyer
Windhover Center for the Arts
YMCA
Welcome to Downtown
The Organization Committee continues to hold meet
and greets with new downtown businesses to welcome
them to the district. Business owners are interviewed
and press releases are sent to local media. This
experience also provides new business owners to
connect with members of the downtown business
community and form business partnerships.
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New banners were designed and purchased in 2011. Many thanks to the City of Fond
du Lac Public Works for their partnership in hanging and maintaining the banners.
Parking Signage
Do you know that downtown Fond du Lac has more
than 5,000 public parking spaces, with 3,000 of
those being city owned? However, the perception
by many people is that there is a parking shortage.
The City of Fond du Lac has approved the
funding to begin replacing all downtown parking
lot signage in 2012. The overall plan includes
more directional signage and illuminated signs
on all public-parking ramps. The new signage
is designed to stand out more than the current
signage, and have greater visibility.
The City of Fond du Lac will also be adding another
public parking lot at the intersection of Marr &
Division in 2012. The new lot will contain 37 public
parking spaces.
Sidewalk Replacement
The four-year sidewalk replacement project came
to a conclusion in 2011. Sidewalks on both sides
of Main Street from Merrill to 6th were replaced. A
special note of thanks is given to Jim Pinnow of the
City of Fond du Lac’s Engineering Department. Jim
did an outstanding job in communicating to the
downtown businesses that were impacted by the
construction. Disruptions were kept to a minimum
for business patrons.
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before
Design Overlay
District
after
The Design Committee concluded a multiyear project in creating a new ordinance for
façade renovations. This ordinance stems
from an objective in the Downtown Plan (part
of the city’s Comprehensive Plan), which was
adopted by city council in 2010. This proposed
ordinance would create an Architectural
Review Board that would approve designs
for exterior renovations to buildings. This
ordinance would apply to properties in the B-3
district, which encompasses the local historic
districts that are already in place downtown.
The Architectural Review Board would be
comprised of seven individuals who would
meet on a monthly basis to review applications.
The goal of this ordinance is to increase
property values of all downtown properties by
creating cohesive, quality design among all
buildings.
Two informational/listening sessions were
held regarding this proposed ordinance.
As a result, the DFP Board of Directors
recommended endorsement of the ordinance.
The proposed ordinance will go before city
council in the spring of 2012.
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The Façade Grant
Program
Implementing
the Vision for
Downtown
Project Management Team
Joe Braun (Chair), Fond du Lac Area Foundation
Amy Hansen, Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
Jim Hubbard, Fond du Lac Arts Council
Kevin Miller, Fond du Lac Arts Council
Joe Reitemeier, Fond du Lac Area Association
of Commerce
Owen Rock, Fond du Lac County Economic
Development Corporation
Wayne Rollin, City of Fond du Lac
Joe Tasch, Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
Advisory Members
Al Buechel, Fond du Lac County
Tom Herre, City of Fond du Lac
Kristen Fish, Fond du Lac County Economic
Development Corporation
John St. Peter, Edgarton, St. Peter, Petak, &
Rosenfeldt Law Offices
Mission Statement
To advocate, plan, coordinate and monitor the
implementation of the vision plan for
Downtown Fond du Lac.
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The Fond du Lac Arts Council, Downtown Fond du
Lac Partnership, Fond du Lac Area Association of
Commerce, Fond du Lac Area Foundation, Fond du
Lac County Economic Development Corporation, City
of Fond du Lac, and Fond du Lac County has formed
a unique collaboration in advancing the economic
development and vitality of Downtown Fond du Lac.
The Downtown Fond du Lac Project Management
Team (PMT) is working in tandem with each of these
local partners to further the vision plan for Downtown
Fond du Lac. An ad hoc project steering committee
consisting of members of all organizations and
other community leaders has been operating since
January 2010. Each of the groups involved indicated
a willingness to formally work together as the PMT
to advocate, plan, coordinate and monitor the
implementation of the vision plan for Downtown Fond
du Lac.
In 2011, the PMT sought private funding through
grants and corporate donations in order to begin the
implementation of the vision plan. Developer and
business recruiting is underway, and a dedicated
Research Assistant is now in place to solely focus on
these efforts.
One of the first initiatives underway is the replacement
of all downtown parking signage. The PMT contracted
with a private consulting group to design the new signs
and placement map. The new look is intended to be
more visible and have greater coverage throughout
the district.
The PMT is currently working on the enhanced design
of Main Street Plaza as well as Sheboygan Street to
make the area better suited as an event and gathering
space. This area is in the heart of what is now deemed
the Arts & Entertainment district. In 2011, the concept
of the Arts & Entertainment District took off, mostly
by private development. The goal of the plan has
always been to identify the vision, and then let private
enterprise be a part of the implementation. Some of
the success stories so far are: two new art galleries,
two restaurants currently under construction, the
monthly ‘Tour the Town’ Art Walk, a seven-unit Artist
Loft Townhomes is under construction and the opening
of the Windhover Center for the Arts Theatre which
shows first-run full length feature movies.
The DFP created the Façade Grant Program in
2000. The program grants properties up to $2,000
in matching funds for the purpose of renovation,
maintenance, preservation, and beautification to
exteriors of businesses. Projects include simple
sign replacement to major façade renovations. To
date, 103 properties have received grants totaling
more than $120,000, which has leveraged over
$900,000 in property improvement projects. In
2011, $45,000 in grant funding was allocated by
Fond du Lac County to be used countywide in any
central business district.
2011 Façade Grant Award Recipients:
Jack’s Team Sports (175 S. Main)
Quin Schneider (44 N. Main)
Joe’s Fox Hut (41 N. Main)
Riverwalk Business Center (33 W. Second)
Façade Design
Assistance Grant
A new grant program was created in 2011 for
building owners or tenants in the downtown district.
The Downtown Façade Design Assistance Grant
provides up to $4,000 in funding to assist in the
research and design of façade improvements.
This grant does not require matching funds. It is
a true grant. This grant is intended to promote
good building design, and provide a solid plan for
renovation projects.
Commercial
Rehabilitation Loan
Program
Also in 2011, a new loan program was established.
Downtown building owners are eligible to apply for
a loan to pay for exterior renovations of commercial
buildings. Loan value can range from $20,000 $100,000. The general interest rate is 0% for a
maximum loan term of 10 years. The loan program
was designed to assist property owners with the cost
of exterior property renovations.
Available Properties
Web-tool
After learning that the most popular feature of the downtown
Fond du Lac website is the “Available Properties” page, the
Economic Restructuring Committee worked with BrownBoots
Interactive to make the feature more prominent and user
friendly. The DFP staff worked with local real estate agencies
to populate the information and work together to find new
tenants and owners for downtown properties.
New or Expanded
Downtown Businesses
Second Time Around
Riverwalk Art Center
Dreifuerst & Sons
Moving and Storage
The Movers, Inc.
Jennabee Art Gallery
Just for Kidz Boutique
Blessed Bee Cupcakes
Northwestern Mutual Life
JJC Interiors
Shut Up and Dance!
Jack’s Team Sports
Behnke Insurance
The Cellar
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In 2011 the Events and Marketing Committees
brought many great things to the heart of the city. We
expanded our marketing campaign and successfully
executed a yearlong series of events.
With 8 different events throughout the year, it takes
a community to put them together. We are always
looking for new volunteers. Whether it be serving on
a committee or helping out on the day of an event,
we need each and every volunteer.
The Marketing Committee made great strides
to bring awareness to the downtown by actively
seeking new ways to market the district as a whole.
Downtown business owners were encouraged to use
the “Come Together” branding in their advertising. A
more interactive DFP facebook page was created to
connect with businesses and even avenues outside
the district were utilized to encourage community
members to visit downtown regularly, not just on
event days.
We appreciate the
cooperation of the downtown
business owners during
events and their help in
further developing the
“Come Together” campaign.
We hope 2012 is even
more successful and we
encourage ALL businesses
to become involved with the
organization.
Amber Wiebelhaus
Director of Marketing &
Special Events
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Experience Downtown
The 3/50 Project
Partnering for the 2nd year with The Reporter,
Experience Downtown featured over 30 businesses in
2011. The pullout section highlighted the unique stores
and shops of downtown as well as a calendar of events
and special event information.
Cinda Baxter, founder of the 3/50 Project, graced Fond du
Lac with an inspirational presentation on supporting locally
owned, independent merchants. Her extensive background
in retail and success of her own businesses led to her
theory of “Pick 3, spend 50.
Save your local economy.”
Through this initiative, several
businesses partnered together
to create the Downtown Dollars
promotion. Businesses gave out
$10 Downtown Dollars coupons
during the holiday season to
be used on purchases January
through March.
Special Event Videos
Production of professional quality videos was
completed for four major DFP special events. These
videos will be used as promotional materials for
obtaining sponsorships, business recruitment, and
special event advertising. You can view the videos at
www.youtube.com
City Bus Advertising
The new city busses offered a unique avenue for
advertising the downtown as a whole. The bus
advertising featured the “Come Together” campaign
ads promoting downtown as a place “Where shopping
& dining meet” and “Where family & fun meet”.
Holiday Guide
The Holiday Guide is a publication of the DFP to help
downtown businesses promote their holiday activities
and store specials through November and December.
This year the guide included over 30 businesses. It
is published in The Reporter the first weekend in
November.
Keeping up with
modern technology, a
QR Code is now used
on printed materials.
Scan the QR Code to
be directly linked to
www.downtownfdl.com.
TV Commercials
Holiday TV Commercials were offered at a discounted rate
to downtown businesses. The DFP subsidized the cost of the
commercials bringing great value to businesses.
New promotional photographs were taken in 2011.
These new shots of various downtown scenes will be
integrated into all DFP communications including the
website, brochures and advertisements. Pictured:
Pam Kristman, owner of Texture Salon, and her
daughter Olivia.
www.downtownfonddulac.com
Print advertisements
were used in a variety of
publications including the
Fond du Lac Area Visitors
Guide.
Pictured: Kirsten Quam, Fox
Valley Savings Bank, Audra
Hoy, formerly of BrownBoots
Interactive, Liz Engh, Action
Reporter Media.
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Sassy Soiree
Special Events
Kicking off the 2011 events in April was Sassy
Soiree, A Women’s Getaway Weekend. Over the
course of two days, businesses offered specials
and demonstrations, capped with a concert at the
Windhover Center for the Arts.
A tradition dating back to the 1970’s, Sidewalk Sale was
as popular as ever. With guest attendance up from the
previous year, the streets were bustling with shoppers.
This event focuses on driving retail sales to clear the way
for the upcoming holiday season. Over 50 downtown
businesses participated in this event, offering huge
savings and great deals.
Get Downtown!
Each year the DFP is dedicated to creating, planning, and
executing downtown events. 2011 special events brought
an estimated attendance of over 60,000 people and a local
economic impact of $2,700,000 to the downtown district. In
the past five years the DFP was awarded $50,000 in grants
received through the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to
assist in local event marketing.
The year’s events appealed to a wide range of people
and positively impacted the image, vitality, and economy
of downtown. The success of the 2011 events could not
have happened without the hard work of our dedicated
committee members, volunteers, sponsors and the
gracious contributions from our event supporters.
Sidewalk Sale
Get Downtown!, an outdoor music concert, was held in
Main Street Plaza in mid August. The event was a hit
as many community members flocked to the heart of
downtown to listen to live music and sample delicious eats
from downtown restaurants. Attendees were encouraged
to engage in the Arts & Entertainment District vision and
share their ideas and wants with Project Management
Team representatives as a first step in an effort to upgrade
the plaza to be better suited for outdoor events.
Farmers Market
With over 65 vendors, Saturday’s Farmers Market
was a weekend destination from May through
October. In partnership with The Garden, a local
community church, volunteers served as market
mangers, aiding the vendors whenever needed.
Wednesday’s Farmers
Market hosted 35
vendors in Hamilton
Park. The purpose of
the bi-weekly Farmers
Market is to increase
customer traffic to the
downtown district.
Fondue Fest
The 5th annual Fondue Fest proved to be the most popular
event of the year. With over 100 vendors from all over the
state, attendees had much to taste, see, watch, and buy.
Three stages caught the attention of an estimated 30,000
festival-goers. With a variety of music, performances,
live demonstrations, a 5K run/walk and a Kid’s Zone,
there was something for everyone. Over 80 downtown
businesses took to the streets, offering merchandise,
information, food and beverages. Moraine Park Technical
College Culinary Arts students delighted the taste buds of
the crowd with their cheese and chocolate fondue. The
goal of Fondue Fest is to attract large crowds of people
who may not be familiar with downtown, and encourage
them to stop back soon and often.
Holiday Open House
Weekend
Holiday cheer was alive in downtown starting in
November. In its 4th year, 28 downtown businesses
hosted a special shopping experience featuring treats,
refreshments, entertainment and holiday gift ideas.
Home for the Holidays
Held the first Saturday of December, the day consisted
of a variety of events designed to bring foot traffic to
downtown. Breakfast with Santa, pictures with Santa,
the 3rd annual Chili Crawl, horse-drawn carriage rides,
a Winter Market, and the KFIZ Holiday Parade of Lights
made for a fun filled day, bringing hundreds of people
downtown.
Monster March
Little ghosts and goblins, pirates and princess marched
up and down Main Street to trick-or-treat at participating
businesses. This event brought approximately 800 kids
and their families to downtown.
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Design Committee
Steve Schoofs (Chair), Excel Engineering
Aaron Goldstein, Fond du Lac Police Department
Steve Klein, Fond du Lac Police Department
Dennis Malchow, St. Joseph’s Book Room
Sam Meyer, State Farm Insurance
John Papenheim, Papenheim Sign Crafters
Byron Pegram, Jack’s Team Sports
Wayne Rollin, City of Fond du Lac
Joe Tasch, The Nielsen Company
Bill Weinshrott, Fond du Lac County Historical Society
Design Review Board
Steve Schoofs (Chair), Excel Engineering
Geoff Bares, United Service Appraisals
Joellyn Dahlin, City of Fond du Lac
Tom Meiklejohn, Tom Meiklejohn, AIA, Architect
Sam Meyer, State Farm Insurance
Kevin Miller, Windhover Center for the Arts
John Papenheim, Papenheim Sign Crafters
Organization Committee
Liv Moyer (Chair), Set in Ink
Robyn King, RRK CPA, LLC
Dave Langholff, Langholff Chiropractic & Wellness
Rebecca Lunde-Ross, Advance America
Tina Potter, The United Way of Fond du Lac
Phil Shepherd, Shepherd Law Offices
Economic Restructuring
Committee
Kevin Miller (Chair), Windhover Center for the Arts
Dyann Benson, City of Fond du Lac
Alan Hathaway, BrownBoots Interactive
Ken Hall, Fond du Lac Public Library
Craig Molitor, Fond du Lac Area Convention &
Visitor’s Bureau
Kirsten Quam, Fox Valley Savings Bank
Owen Rock, Fond du Lac County Economic
Development Corporation
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Events Committee
Joan Pinch (Chair), The Ramada Plaza Hotel
Kollin Adickes, Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac
Dorothy Bliskey, Bliskey Writing Services
Patty Boyd, Main Exchange
Julia Cartwright, Fond du Lac Public Library
Sara Cujak (Home for the Holidays Chair),
Cujak’s Wine Market
Tom Deitte (Sidewalk Sale Chair),
Edith’s Bridal and Tuxedo Junction
Kevin Edelfson (Farmer’s Market Manager), The Garden
Liz Engh (Fondue Fest Chair), Action Reporter Media
Lori Garbisch, Community Volunteer
Ken Hall, Fond du Lac Public Library
Kim Laws, Radio Plus
Lee Ann Lorrigan, Agnesian Healthcare
Tracy Mathweg (Sassy Soiree Chair), Lillian’s
Kevin Miller, Windhover Center for the Arts
Lisa Pauly, Fond du Lac Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Kirsten Quam, Fox Valley Savings Bank
Dave Schneider, MAG Giddings & Lewis
Jeff Thorn, Time Warner Cable
Angelina Triscari, The Treasury
Mary Weishapple, Promotions with Pizzazz
Andrea Welsch, Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac
Julie Wilson, Shut Up and Dance!
Brendan Wood-Taylor, Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac
Marketing Committee
Kirsten Quam (Chair), Fox Valley Savings Bank
Dorothy Bliskey, Bliskey Writing Services
Liz Engh, Action Reporter Media
Tracy Mathweg, Lillian’s
Lisa Pauly, Fond du Lac Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Joan Pinch, Ramada Plaza Hotel
Angelina Triscari, The Treasury
Mary Weishapple, Promotions with Pizzazz
Julie Wilson, Shut Up and Dance!
Community Partnerships
Agnesian Healthcare
Big Brothers Big Sisters
City of Fond du Lac Community Development Department
City of Fond du Lac Public Works Department
City of Fond du Lac Fire Department
City of Fond du Lac Parks Department
City of Fond du Lac Police Department
Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce
Fond du Lac Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Fond du Lac Area Foundation
Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation
Fond du Lac County Parks Department
Fond du Lac Public Library
Fond du Lac Visual Arts
Marian University Men’s Hockey Team
Moraine Park Technical College Culinary Arts Program
Windhover Center for the Arts
Special Event Sponsors
Action Reporter Media
AE Jewelers
Alliant Energy
As You Wish
C.D. Smith Construction Services
Chase Bank
Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac
CitizensFirst Credit Union
Communication Electronics
Edith’s Bridal
Edward Jones
Fond du Lac Public Library
Fond du Lac Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Fox Valley Savings Bank
Gallery and Frame Shop
Gold Star Tours
Grande Cheese
International Paper
Jack’s Team Sports
Jackson Kahl Insurance
MAG Giddings & Lewis
KFIZ / Mountain Dog Media
National Exchange Bank & Trust
New Vision Signs, Decals & Screen-Printing
Quad/Graphics, Inc.
Sadoff & Rudoy Industries
Sal’s Pizza
Set in Ink
Slim & Chubby’s
St. Joseph’s Book Room
Texture Salon
Tuxedo Junction
The Garden
The Goldsmith
The Nielsen Company
The Reporter
Unified Martial Arts
U.S. Cellular
Waste Management
Windhover Center for the Arts
As a non-profit organization, the DFP relies heavily on
a committed group of volunteers, public and private
agencies, and the many other community partners that
offer their time, talents, and services. We appreciate
the companies and organizations that see value in
supporting downtown special events. We are very
fortunate as a community to have so many people
who care about the revitalization and success of our
downtown.
We are now in our 13th year as an organized Business
Improvement District and our 8th year as a Wisconsin
Main Street Community. So how are we doing so far?
Since entering the Wisconsin Main Street program
in 2004, downtown has seen more than 100 building
improvement projects and a net of 53 new businesses,
with an overall investment of more than $30 million.
These improvements and investments have added
great worth to the downtown district.
The overall assessed value of the district has increased
35%. In 2011, this added tax value generated an
additional $134,447 for the City of Fond du Lac, and
approximately $1,200,000 over the past twelve years.
Three years ago, in 2009, the DFP established a 5-year
strategic plan. Now, in 2012, after completing many
of the goals, the Board of Directors will reassess the
direction of the organization in terms of programming
and prioritization of goals. Strategic planning sessions
are already in the works and the coming years will be
an exciting and changing time for downtown.
The vision for our future embodied in our downtown
comprehensive plan and vision plan remains a worthy
and achievable goal. That
vision has united downtown
stakeholders, and we
continue to work together to
make this plan a reality.
Amy Hansen
Executive Director
Downtown Fond du Lac
Partnership
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Mission Statement
To establish a diverse, prosperous and healthy district
that is the social, commercial and cultural heart of the
community.
Vision Statement
Downtown Fond du Lac will be a local and regional
destination that will serve as the cultural and economic
hub of the city and surrounding areas. Our financially
successful downtown will present a clean, safe and
friendly environment that has broad appeal.
Downtown Fond du Lac will have an atmosphere that
is welcoming, comfortable and enjoyable through
its attention to historic preservation, restoration and
development. Downtown will include a healthy and
unique mix of businesses, including retail, professional
services, dining and entertainment. The downtown’s
streetscape will be modern and well cared for, while at
the same time paying homage to its heritage.
The public will have great awareness of all that
downtown Fond du Lac has to offer, and the community
will support efforts to maintain a high quality of life for
residents, businesses and other stakeholders.
207 N. Main St.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-921-9500
www.downtownfdl.com