January 30, 2017
Board Officers
Jeff Peterson
Sonja Gidlow
Gail Ruhland
MaryKay Pfannenstein
Penny White

Board Members
Brett Anderson
John Bestgen
Tami DeLand
Brad Goskowicz
Kate Hanson
Steve Laraway
Ryan Laudenbach
Rob Ruprecht
Mark Stafford

Quick Event Links
Like us on Facebook
Member Of

Parking Ticket Increase
We received numerous calls regarding the increase in parking violation fees from $5 to $10.  The DTC followed up with City staff to learn more about the increase.  This is what we learned:

1)  Too many Downtown employees plug the meters all day.  Parking meters are intended for customer usage and turnover.  Long-term employee usage impedes that objective and hurts neighboring businesses' bottom lines.  The higher price needed to be enough to be a deterrent and ensure that a maximum number of vehicles have the opportunity to use these spaces. 

2)  The fines have been $5 since the parking system was put in place.
St. Cloud is the lowest compared to other cities - Duluth $15, Rochester $40, Excelsior $15.

3)  The increase had nothing to do with the new ramp; it was paid for with State Bonding funds.  

4)  All revenues stay within the parking system enterprise fund.

Possible solutions:

The DTC has made an official request to do a cost/benefit analysis of the current fee structure.  Would lowering the cost of ramps and increasing the costs for on-street parking help?  What are the barriers to using parking ramps (never get a ticket), and how can we help to change behaviors?

Already in place:

There are already options for part-time employees in Paramount Ramp where you pay for usage rather than for the quarter.  The Pre-Programmed Ramp Access Card makes it more affordable and frees up space at the meters.  Link

The City currently offers a parking validation program.  Customers can get their ramp ticket stamped by your business, and the City will bill you on a monthly or quarterly basis.  If you are interested in establishing a parking validation account, call 320.255.7212.  

Welcome New Member
Cohlab Digital Marketing
Cliff Robbins
925 1st Street South, Suite 101
St. Cloud, MN  56301
320.403.2433
Link
Serving Our Members & Downtown Since 1992
The St. Cloud Downtown Council is celebrating 25 years serving Downtown! We plan to share some highlights in our Downtown over these last 25 years.  Please send us your ideas and memories.
Link
Here are a few examples of things that have taken place in Downtown since the DTC has been around.  We are proud to be a part of so many aspects in an effort to create a vibrant and healthy Downtown.

1995    West St. Germain opened between 7th and 8th Avenues
1996    New street connection on 7th by Mathew Hall
1996    Courthouse Plaza, new street
            Redevelopment for Bo Diddley's (now Beaver Island Brewing)
1997    Dan Marsh building demolished
1997    Barths purchased Pioneer Place on 5th
            W. St. Germain opened between 7th and 5th Avenues
            Liberty Bank expansion and Streetscape improvements
            New marquee along Hwy 23 (replaced by Liberty Square)
            7th Avenue and 1st Street demolition for Centre Square III
1998    W. St. Germain reconstructed between 8th and 10th Avenues
            Paramount Theatre historic restoration
            Pioneer Place on 5th oficially opened its professional theatre
2001    Eastgate redevelopment on East St. Germain St.

Some Storefront Renovations during this time:
Thelen Advertising, Ellenbecker Law Office, St. Cloud Floral, Daniel Building, Mexican Village, Pioneer Place on 5th, Metro Bus Station, GeoComm, Masonic Temple, Hunstiger Building, Spaniol Hotel. 
 
70th Annual MN Governor's Fishing Opener May 11-14 
Greater St. Cloud, including St. Cloud, Sartell and Sauk Rapids) will be hosting the 70th Annual MN Governor's Fishing Opener.  It is designed to improve Minnesota's economy through the development and promotion of the state's recreational opportunities, especially fishing.  It is also a kickoff of the summer tourism season.  Link
  
Think about how your business can best be prepared to welcome an influx of media people interested in learning more about our Downtown and the region.  Let's show off a little!
For Lease
Owners of restaurant Kohinoor, now own the property at 25 7th Avenue South, and contact Taj Sidhu at 651-347-3969 to learn more.

Professional office suites with shared amenities at 14 7th Avenue North. Individual offices starting at only $100 per month!  Link

St. Germain upper level office suites available at 1529W. St. Germain Street.  Link
News & Noteworthy
Downtown Art Crawl Dates Announced
Mark your calendars for March 24, June 9, August 11 and November 3.

Downtown Streetscape Plan & Update
Public hearing likely to be set for February 13. 

Kendra Bader Joins Stinson Leonard Street
Ms. Bader joined the firm's Private Business group in the St. Cloud office.  Link

Quarks offers Macro Series
Better understand the basics of better nutrition.  Quarks offering 3-week partnership with A to Zinc Nutrition.  Link

Sportsman's Show 2017
Expected to bring 4,000 visitors to our Downtown, February 8-12.

Boat Show 2017
Expected to bring 5,000 visitors to Downtown, February 16-19.

Camp & Travel Show 2017
Expecting 5,000 visitors to Downtown, February 20-26.

Farm Show 2017
Expecting 1,500 visitors to Downtown, February 27 - March 2. 
Benefit from Membership
Become our partner and become a Downtown builder.  Every day is our chance to make our Downtown and this region a little better.  The DTC continually provides support, resources, strategy and a little TLC to ensure Downtown continues to grow.

DTC Members should remember that this newsletter is a FREE way to share your news, announcements, events, etc.  Simply send an email to Pegg by the of the week. 

DTC Monthly Radio Show on WJON
We invite you to listen to WJON at 12:40 pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month where Downtown, the Downtown Council and our members will be featured.   Link

Website Redesign
We're working with Cohlab to redesign our website in order to provide better value to our members.  We plan to add a business spotlight series, sponsored by Capital One.  Let us know what would be helpful to YOU as a member that should be considered in the redesign.  Link