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Keokuk lands Summit
For the Daily Gate City
The Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Iowa Department of Economic Development has announced that Keokuk has been selected as the host community for the 2011 Iowa Downtown Summit. The 25th annual Summit will be held Aug. 22-24, 2011.
The event is expected to bring together 350 representatives from the 40 Main Street Iowa communities, government entities, chambers, tourism bureaus and volunteers from across the state, Missouri and Illinois to learn concepts pertaining to downtown revitalization.
“This is a rare opportunity for Keokuk to learn from other downtown professionals and for us to share our successes,” said Barb Smidt, Main Street Keokuk, Inc. president. “And, there is the financial benefit that hosting the Summit brings to local businesses, especially lodging establishments, restaurants and retail stores.”
Keokuk was selected from 10 communities vying for the opportunity to host the Summit. In recent weeks, the field was narrowed to six communities: Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Washington, Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Keokuk. Davenport will host the 2010 Summit.
“We went after the 2011 Summit because it is a milestone year for Main Street,” said Joyce Glasscock, MSKI executive director. “Keokuk and Main Street Iowa will be celebrating their 25th anniversaries in downtown revitalization.”
Keokuk has been very active in downtown initiatives and the in Main Street Iowa program throughout the past 23 years. The local program, Main Street Keokuk, Inc., was formed in 1986 and officially designated a Main Street Iowa Community on April 14, 1986.
Glasscock explained that one of the requirements of the conference is that it be held downtown. To accommodate the large gathering, a combination of downtown facilities will be utilized including the Grand Theatre, the Keokuk Public Library, the Keokuk Art Center, Meyers Courtyard, Mr. Lucky's and the Hotel Iowa.
“We will also use the Keokuk Municipal Water Works plant, Gateway Park, the observation deck and possibly other venues such as the council chambers at City Hall.
The 25th annual Iowa Downtown Summit, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Economic Development, offers practical information, ideas and solutions for preservation-based downtown revitalization that are relevant to rural, mid-sized and urban communities. Local practitioners and nationally recognized experts will showcase grassroots efforts and projects and will share strategies communities are implementing to revitalize their city centers. Sustainability, green practices and the arts will be included in the educational sessions. The conference will include three educational tours.
“We have identified three areas of focus: a downtown tour of buildings that will include buildings needing attention, those in mid-development and completed projects such as the Hotel Iowa. The second tour will be based on art in unexpected places - commercial architectural details, stained glass windows, Keokuk's many vaults and private art collections such as the murals In State Central Bank. The third tour will be a look at Keokuk's historic neighborhoods and eclectic residential architecture,” Glasscock said.
“The conference is just 16 months away,” said Glasscock. “The timing is perfect to showcase Keokuk. With the streetscape project and riverfront improvement project getting under way, and the more than 15 private projects under way, we have much to be proud of - Keokuk has a wonderful story to share.”
MSKI's Mission is to aid in the preservation and revitalization of the Keokuk business district while promoting its history, charm and character. The organization benefits from numerous partnerships and draws from Keokuk's pool of volunteers to help implement the National Trust for Historic Preservation/National Main Street Centerís copyrighted and trademarked 4-Point Approach to downtown revitalization: Organization, promotion, economic restructuring (business improvement) and design.
“Landing the conference for Keokuk demonstrates the power of working together,” said Glasscock.
The bid for the conference was supported by Keokuk officials, Mayor David Gudgel, the Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, Lee County Economic Development Group, Keokuk Economic Development Corporation, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, Keokuk Municipal Water Works board and staff, Keokuk Public Library, Keokuk Art Center, the Keokuk Vision with Action Committee, Keokuk Cultural and Entertainment District, Grand Theatre Commission, local lodging establishments, restaurants and catering firms, as well as many individuals.
"The recent announcement from the Iowa Department of Economic Development that Keokuk was selected to host the 2011 25th Annual Iowa Downtown Summit brings great pride to Main Street Keokuk, Inc. and to our community,” Gudgel said.
“This distinction is so well deserved and confirms, once again, the tremendous work, over the years, by Joyce Glasscock, the MSKI Board of Directors and committee volunteers to promote our community, which now is being recognized in a grand and fitting fashion by state officials,” he added.
“My administration and the City of Keokuk will lend its full support to ensure that this event, and our community, will leave a lasting impression on conference attendees.”
MSKI cited plans to involve youth in planning and hosting the conference, unique venues for the conference's two required receptions and the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by the community impressed the Site Selection Committee during their recent visit to Keokuk.
Main Street Keokuk, Inc. is located in downtown Keokuk at 329 Main Street. More information on Main Street Keokuk, Inc. and the Iowa Downtown Summit is available by calling 524-5056. Information will be posted on line at www.keokukdowntown.org and at www.iowalifechanging.com as it becomes available.
The Iowa Downtown Resource Center/Iowa Department of Economic Development has announced that Keokuk has been selected as the host community for the 2011 Iowa Downtown Summit. The 25th annual Summit will be held Aug. 22-24, 2011.
The event is expected to bring together 350 representatives from the 40 Main Street Iowa communities, government entities, chambers, tourism bureaus and volunteers from across the state, Missouri and Illinois to learn concepts pertaining to downtown revitalization.
“This is a rare opportunity for Keokuk to learn from other downtown professionals and for us to share our successes,” said Barb Smidt, Main Street Keokuk, Inc. president. “And, there is the financial benefit that hosting the Summit brings to local businesses, especially lodging establishments, restaurants and retail stores.”
Keokuk was selected from 10 communities vying for the opportunity to host the Summit. In recent weeks, the field was narrowed to six communities: Mount Pleasant, Burlington, Washington, Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Keokuk. Davenport will host the 2010 Summit.
“We went after the 2011 Summit because it is a milestone year for Main Street,” said Joyce Glasscock, MSKI executive director. “Keokuk and Main Street Iowa will be celebrating their 25th anniversaries in downtown revitalization.”
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Glasscock explained that one of the requirements of the conference is that it be held downtown. To accommodate the large gathering, a combination of downtown facilities will be utilized including the Grand Theatre, the Keokuk Public Library, the Keokuk Art Center, Meyers Courtyard, Mr. Lucky's and the Hotel Iowa.
“We will also use the Keokuk Municipal Water Works plant, Gateway Park, the observation deck and possibly other venues such as the council chambers at City Hall.
The 25th annual Iowa Downtown Summit, sponsored by the Iowa Department of Economic Development, offers practical information, ideas and solutions for preservation-based downtown revitalization that are relevant to rural, mid-sized and urban communities. Local practitioners and nationally recognized experts will showcase grassroots efforts and projects and will share strategies communities are implementing to revitalize their city centers. Sustainability, green practices and the arts will be included in the educational sessions. The conference will include three educational tours.
“We have identified three areas of focus: a downtown tour of buildings that will include buildings needing attention, those in mid-development and completed projects such as the Hotel Iowa. The second tour will be based on art in unexpected places - commercial architectural details, stained glass windows, Keokuk's many vaults and private art collections such as the murals In State Central Bank. The third tour will be a look at Keokuk's historic neighborhoods and eclectic residential architecture,” Glasscock said.
“The conference is just 16 months away,” said Glasscock. “The timing is perfect to showcase Keokuk. With the streetscape project and riverfront improvement project getting under way, and the more than 15 private projects under way, we have much to be proud of - Keokuk has a wonderful story to share.”
MSKI's Mission is to aid in the preservation and revitalization of the Keokuk business district while promoting its history, charm and character. The organization benefits from numerous partnerships and draws from Keokuk's pool of volunteers to help implement the National Trust for Historic Preservation/National Main Street Centerís copyrighted and trademarked 4-Point Approach to downtown revitalization: Organization, promotion, economic restructuring (business improvement) and design.
“Landing the conference for Keokuk demonstrates the power of working together,” said Glasscock.
The bid for the conference was supported by Keokuk officials, Mayor David Gudgel, the Keokuk Area Convention and Tourism Bureau, Lee County Economic Development Group, Keokuk Economic Development Corporation, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, Keokuk Municipal Water Works board and staff, Keokuk Public Library, Keokuk Art Center, the Keokuk Vision with Action Committee, Keokuk Cultural and Entertainment District, Grand Theatre Commission, local lodging establishments, restaurants and catering firms, as well as many individuals.
"The recent announcement from the Iowa Department of Economic Development that Keokuk was selected to host the 2011 25th Annual Iowa Downtown Summit brings great pride to Main Street Keokuk, Inc. and to our community,” Gudgel said.
“This distinction is so well deserved and confirms, once again, the tremendous work, over the years, by Joyce Glasscock, the MSKI Board of Directors and committee volunteers to promote our community, which now is being recognized in a grand and fitting fashion by state officials,” he added.
“My administration and the City of Keokuk will lend its full support to ensure that this event, and our community, will leave a lasting impression on conference attendees.”
MSKI cited plans to involve youth in planning and hosting the conference, unique venues for the conference's two required receptions and the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by the community impressed the Site Selection Committee during their recent visit to Keokuk.
Main Street Keokuk, Inc. is located in downtown Keokuk at 329 Main Street. More information on Main Street Keokuk, Inc. and the Iowa Downtown Summit is available by calling 524-5056. Information will be posted on line at www.keokukdowntown.org and at www.iowalifechanging.com as it becomes available.
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