The Iowa City Downtown District celebrated the evening of May 20 with an acknowledgement of the district’s upcoming expansion and the people that boost the organization’s vibrancy.
In the auditorium of the Voxman Music Building, the organization presented two awards : the Ambassador of the Year for the Downtown District and the Downtown Person of Influence.
Juwan Beard was named Ambassador of the Year for the Downtown District. Mayor Bruce Teague, who presented him with the award, noted that Mr. Beard is one of the longest serving ambassadors in the program’s two-year history.
“Your team members say you have a can-do attitude,” Mr. Teague said, adding that as an Iowa City native, “you help navigate visitors.”
Karen Kubby was named the Downtown Person of Impact. Ms. Kubby has owned the business Beadology for 39 years, and she is pleased that at its current location, 355 S. Clinton St., it will be within the district borders as of July.
In introducing Ms. Kubby, Katie Gerlach said, “She shows up in complicated places and … makes spaces for all voices.”
Accepting the award, Ms. Kubby said she understands the importance of alliances.
“I learned early on that women retailers can do more together than alone,” she said. “The downtown is cleaner, greener and better because of collective action.”
In addition to award presentation, the night included remarks and observations from Downtown District’s Executive Director Betsy Potter. She shared a comparison (from a conference she attended) of downtown districts to “a beloved soda brand” Coca Cola.
“Shopping malls are the Diet Cokes: convenient, climate controlled, no interest in the original. Lifestyle centers are Coke Zero: closer to the original but not ready for the Real Thing. Which makes us, downtown, the original: messy, vibrant, full of sugar, irreplaceable original that has been around for more than 100 years.”
Tastes change, Ms. Potter said. “The pendulum swings but always comes back.”
She also acknowledged the Downtown District’s recent accomplishments, including the removal of 291,000 pounds of trash, the addition of the Twilights in the Graduate Walkway on the pedestrian mall, and the redrawn, expanded district borders.
To give an illustration of how things are done in a similar university town, Jason Ilstrup, President of Downtown Madison (Wis.), Inc., gave the keynote address.
Emphasizing Madison and Iowa City’s shared strengths and concerns, Mr. Ilstrup spoke of the advantage that college towns have in drawing residents and visitors.
He said the two towns have similar hurdles: affordability, equity and inclusion, safety perceptions and homelessness.
He also noted similar strengths in towns with a campus.
“College towns are where ideas come alive. They are built for attractions,” he said. “They are constantly in renewal. They draw innovation and talent, and their downtowns create memories and a sense of belonging.”
The reception before the meeting boasted displays that showed the district’s new borders, effective July 1, and statistics about what the organization does and has accomplished.
