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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 2
Mission Statement
The mission of Newton Main Street is to preserve the history, invest in the future and to develop pride in our downtown district through community involvement, volunteerism and private-public partnerships within the Main Street district, the heart of Newton.
Board of Directors Graham Sullivan – President
(Newton Community Education Foundation, Store for Homes)
Kathy Winn – Vice President
How to volunteer:
Newton Main Street is a volunteer-driven organization. Volunteers compose our entire Board of Directors and the four Main Street committees, and are responsible for planning, organizing and completing all of Main Street’s downtown revitalization activities and projects. Needless to say, with so much going on, we are always looking for more volunteers, of all ages and with broad representation of the community. To become a Main Street volunteer, please go to the following link on our website, complete and return the form: www.newtoniamainstreet.com/get-involved/
How to donate:
(In Remembrance)
Tracy Taylor – Treasurer (First State Bank)
Danielle Rogers – Secretary
(Vernon Company, Young Professionals of Jasper County)
Lin Chape – Economic Restructuring committee member (City Council, City of Newton)
Bruce Showalter – Organization committee chair
Donations from individuals, businesses and civic entities make up Newton Main Street’s entire budget, funding our activities and program administration. We could not do what we do without the financial support from the community. To become a Main Street donor, please click on the following link, complete and return the form: go to the following link on our website, complete and return the form: www.newtoniamainstreet.com/get-involved/donate/
Where is the Newton Main Street District?
(REMAX Real Estate)
Contact Information:
Lonnie Portner
Mailing address: Newton Main Street 113 1st Ave. W. Newton, Iowa 50208 Phone: 641-792-5545 Email: newtonmainstreet@gmail.com Web: newtoniamainstreet.com FB: www.facebook.com/ NewtonMainStreet
(Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce)
Rita Reinheimer – Design committee chair (Historic Preservation Commission City of Newton)
Pat Wallace – Economic Restructuring committee member (Wallace Family Funeral Home)
Dianna Ambroson – Promotion committee chair (Downtown Newton SSMID, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy)
Mike Jacobsen
(Jasper County Attorney)
Program Director – Andrew Bassman
From Knee Replacement to Line Dancing! The Road to recovery isn’t that far away! Thank-you to the physical therapy department at Newton Village, (Shelly, Kim & Laura) for helping to make my recovery such a success! During my follow up appointment with my doctor, he was very impressed that I could bend my knee back as far as I could. Newton Village staff is very helpful and caring. I couldn’t have asked for better care! After my first surgery and experience with Newton Village Health Care Center, I knew I would be back after my second knee replacement. Linda Pierce
Newton Village staff welcomed all of my visitors, including my card playing friends; they went above and beyond to accommodate everyone. My recovery process went well but more than that, I had a great time in the process.
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 3
Sidewalk paved in pocket park project By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Sept. 4, 2015
Construction has started on the pedestrian path and pocket park located north of the alley linking downtown with the Newton Public Library. The path has been paved with amenities to follow. “The city covered the cost of the paving, since they were able to lump the relatively small job in with a larger contract,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said. The sidewalk portion was part of a larger sidewalk package that was approved in the city’s annual budget on March 2. After the sidewalk is installed, additional items such as plants and trees will be put into place. Amenities, including lighting and benches, will be installed after the city receives the final
downtown design guidelines in the coming weeks.
make a new, visually pleasing way to get to and from important city attractions.
“Main Street has set aside funds for benches, but has recently been alerted to a couple of potential donors. We would wait until the streetscape master plan is completed to buy the benches to make sure they fit with the design of the rest of the street furniture recommended by the project consultants for the downtown,” Bassman said.
“It’s a great example of a project that the city and Main Street have collaborated on. It is something that we can point to as an immediate success with Main Street and is going to be a great opportunity to connect the library to the downtown,” Director of Planning and Zoning Erin Chambers said. “As we grow housing in the downtown area and want to promote secondstory living, pedestrian connections to all of our facilities is something we want to see happen.”
The remodel of the space, located behind Uncle Nancy’s and Aleya, is a combined effort between Newton Main Street and the City of Newton. The SSMID board has also agreed to help fund some of the amenities. The area will
Submitted photos A bird’s eye view of the pocket park, which is located north of the courthouse square.
The project concept was designed by Main Street Design Committee members Terri Swank and Marilyn Terlouw, with input from the rest of the committee.
Construction started recently on the pocket park. This view is looking south from the public library.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 4
Newton Main Street nets $75K grant Grant will help fund Hotel Maytag ballroom restoration By Abigial Pelzer Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Oct. 13, 2015
Des Moines — Newton representatives were elated Oct. 12 following the announcement of a $75,000 Main Street challenge grant for the Hotel Maytag renovation, and were also hopeful the project will spur more development. “The challenge grant is so competitive,” said Andrew Bassman, executive director of Newton Main Street. “Award of the grant confirms what we have known from the start — that this is a very good project that could have a huge impact on the Main Street District.” The Iowa Economic Development Authority awarded 14 Main Street Iowa communities a total of $924,000 in grants during a ceremony at the Botanical Center. Newton’s grant will fund part of the historic rehabilitation of the Hotel Maytag ballroom and also marks the first Main Street grant obtained by Newton. The city became a Main Street Iowa community in February 2014. Bassman was joined by Newton Mayor Mike Hansen; Sen. Chaz Allen (D-Newton); Newton Main Street board members Lin Chapé and Rita Reinheimer; Frank Liebl, executive director of Newton Development Corporation; Bryan Friendman, the city’s director of finance and development and Erin Chambers, the city’s director of planning and zoning. Also on hand were Andy Frantz and Carol Bower of Frantz Community Investors. “We’re extremely excited and pleased to receive the $75,000 grant. It will go a long way toward putting the final pieces to the financing of the project,” Hansen said. “What it means is the Hotel Maytag will anchor the Main Street rehabilitation project throughout the downtown area.” Cedar Rapids-based Frantz Community Investors announced in March plans to renovate the former Hotel Maytag in Newton. The $10 million project is expected not only to restore the ballroom, but also add 35 market-rate apartments, commercial space and an upscale restaurant to the current Midtown building. Andy Frantz, vice president of operations for FCI, said the grant is one of many positive steps happening with the project. Frantz said FCI has secured state and federal tax credits toward the project. While the building sale has been delayed, mostly due to a delay with an appraisal, he expects the renovation to begin moving quickly after financing is complete. “You don’t make historic restoration projects happen without grants like this,” Frantz said. “It really is a collaborative effort and the support from everyone involved and the City of Newton has been amazing.”
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Carol Bower, a historic preservation specialist with Frantz Community Investors, said the ballroom is a very important room for the public.
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“Because the city really has no space for large events this helps meet a need with a ballroom with a capacity of 400 that divides into three sections for weddings and other events,” Bower said. “We wanted to be sure to restore it back to the way it was. It will be a lot of work, but it’s a wonderful space that will be important to the community.” The Hotel Maytag opened for business in December 1926. The ballroom, in its early years, was a center of activity for most social events. It has been well documented that numerous weddings and social events took place in the Maytag ballroom. Over the years, the hotel was converted into apartments and the ballroom was converted into office space. The terrazzo floors and ballroom features continued on page 5
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 5 continued from page 4
are still visible in some areas of the offices. Developers plan to remove the offices so the ballroom can be restored, with about $450,000 dedicated to the ballroom restoration itself. With a capacity to hold 400 people, the ballroom is expected to fulfill a need for an events center to serve the public and surrounding areas. Meanwhile, it will bring more people to the downtown historic district. The unique features of the ballroom such as the terrazzo floors, cornices, lightwell and skylight will all be restored so the ballroom can serve its original purpose following state and federal guidelines for historic restoration. The matching challenge grants are administered through the IEDA’s Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funds are made available through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Since the first appropriation in 2002 through 2014, nearly $6 million in state and federal funds have leveraged more than $37 million of private reinvestment into 110 projects in 43 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state. “It’s really a great thing for us. It’s a really a welcome to Newton to the Frantz Community and a way for us to build bridges with them,” said Rita Reinheimer, Newton Main Street board member and chair of the design committee. “I’m really hoping this is the catalyst that starts some more development around town.”
ISU selects Newton Main Street for Downtown Design Project Iowa State University’s College of Design has selected Newton Main Street as one of three community partners from across the state to participate in its fall semester Downtown Design Project. Students from the ISU graphic design department will work with 12 Main Street District retailers and restaurants to update logos, signage and storefront designs. “Whether a national corporation or a locally owned business, all businesses need branding to accurately show what they offer and appeal to customers,” said Andrew Bassman, Newton Main Street Executive Director. “This project is a great way to provide access to this service while saving District business owners a few dollars.” Newton Main Street covers the $1,750 cost of the project.
Participating businesses receive the service at no charge. Students visited Newton on Sept. 29. They met with a community representative for a brief overview of the community, followed by one-on-one consultations with business owners and lunch in the Main Street District. Each business receives a twopage color report featuring prototype designs. Businesses are under no obligation to use the proposed designs. Newton Main Street will receive a comprehensive report of the designs. ISU started the project in 2003 to assist smaller, independent businesses lacking the resources needed to hire a marketing firm to update their image. The other participating communities this year are Sheldon and West Liberty.
Jasper County Museum Photo The historic Hotel Maytag ballroom, shown here circa 1970, is expected to be restored to its former glory days as part of a $10 million historic renovation. Newton Main Street was awarded a $75,000 Main Street Iowa Challenge grant on Monday to fund part of the ballroom restoration. Photo submitted Students from Iowa State University’s graphic design department gather in front of the Chamber of Commerce building on Sept. 29 before consultations with business owners as part of the Downtown Design Project.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 6
Fall fest celebrates end of successful farmers’ market season By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News Originally Printed on Sept. 30, 2015
Newton Fall Fest marked the end of the Newton Farmers’ Market season on Sept. 29. The event featured vendors, kid’s activities, giveaways, music and more. Newton Main Street and Jasper County Farm Bureau teamed up to host the free celebration on the courthouse square. “Part of what we do is to provide education about the diversity of agriculture while enriching our communities,” said Trish Hafkey, of the Jasper County Farm Bureau. “This is one of the primary reasons we approached Newton Main Street. We wanted to provide an opportunity for families to interact with local agriculturists, visit the local farmers’ market, have interactive and fun children’s activities and just enjoy downtown Newton.” The evening kicked off with the farmers’ market starting at 4 p.m., followed by the Hawkeye Pedal Pull
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contest and live music by Randy Burk and the Prisoners. Face painting, balloon animals and other activities sponsored by the ISU Extension, Newton FFA, Newton Library, Iowa Public Television, Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation and Newton Fire Department took place throughout the evening. “Fall Fest was a great way to celebrate a successful farmers’ market season,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said. “Thanks to Trish and Jasper County Farm Bureau for contributing the resources, time and energy to make this event happen.”
Trish Hafkey/Submitted photo Attendees check out The Iowa Public Television booth at Fall Fest, which celebrated the end of the Newton Farmers’ Market season on Sept. 29 at the courthouse square.
This year marked the return of the farmers’ market to downtown. “I’ve heard good things from vendors and visitors about the farmers’ market and its location this season,” Bassman said. “We hope to continue to improve the market and do it even better next season.”
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Trish Hafkey/Submitted photo Contestants line up in anticipation of the Hawkeye Pedal Pull contest at Fall Fest, which celebrated the end of the Newton Farmers’ Market Season on Sept. 29.
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 7
Streetscape study and design guidelines final draft completed Over the past several months, citizens and City staff have been working through a planned process with consultants Bolton & Menk and Bergland & Cram to create a downtown streetscape master plan and building design guidelines.
looks and functions. The plan is meant to guide future public sector investment.
The consultants completed final drafts for the project in September, following the third of three public open houses on Sept. 10. The project has been underway since a kick off meeting on April 29.
Design guidelines deal mostly with private buildings, highlighting principles of historic preservation and preservation strategies to meet local needs. The guidelines are voluntary and intended to be a resource for downtown building owners, especially those seeking tax credit and City micro-grant funding.
The streetscape master plan focuses on a comprehensive vision for public space improvements and how the downtown
To see the full streetscape master plan and design guidelines, please visit: http://www.newtongov.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=370
Images courtesy of Bolton & Menk Inc.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 8
Chamber of Commerce sponsors Magnetic Main Street fundraiser The 2nd annual Magnetic Main Street fundraiser, sponsored by the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce, was held on Sept. 24 on the north side of the courthouse square. Donors won gift certificates from area restaurants and businesses, tickets to entertainment venues and more. All 280 prize packages, totaling over $6,000 in value, were purchased. “We really enjoyed watching the anticipation and excitement from people who bought magnets,” said Karen Liebl, Newton Main Street Organization committee member. “It’s so much fun to see the reactions when they win a big prize.” Donors paid $5 for the chance to select a magnet from the Iowa Speedway pace car, which was parked on North Second Avenue before and after the Newton High School Homecoming Parade. Each magnet was coded to a prize package. Each prize package had a value of $5 or greater. Proceeds from the event support Newton Main Street’s downtown revitalization projects. “A huge thank you to businesses that donated prizes,” said Andrew Bassman, executive director of Newton Main Street. “The success of the event relied on their generosity.”
Submitted photo Donors select magnets off the Iowa Speedway during the Magnetic Main Street fundraiser on Sept. 24 on the north side of the courthouse square.
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Submitted photo Newton Main Street volunteers pose for a photo before the Magnetic Main Street fundraiser on Sept. 24 on the north side of the courthouse square.
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 9
Market analysis reveals opportunities for Main Street District businesses
Newton Main Street has completed its downtown market analysis project.
The local project team, led by Newton Main Street’s Economic Restructuring committee, finished the market analysis report in September. Conclusions in the final report are derived from analysis of survey results (from 105 Main Street district businesses and 470 consumers), background research and current market data. The market analysis was an extensive team effort that yielded useful and statistically significant data,” said Don Poynter, Economic wwsome of the challenges we know the District faces, but more importantly, it Restructuring committee chair. “It gives us more insight into uncovers growth opportunities that Main Street has already started to address.” Some of the opportunities revealed in the analysis include: • Median household income within a 20-minute drive time of the district is projected to grow by 18.5 percent by 2019. About 18,000 people live within a 10-minute drive, and 30,000 people within a 20-minute drive, of the District. • Growth strategies can capitalize on strong service and foodservice sectors. About 62 percent of consumers visit the district once or twice a week for service-related purposes, 35 percent for eating and entertainment and 13 percent to shop. • Estimated Total Retail Trade leakage (residents buying goods outside of the community) within a 20-minute drive of the district totaled $23.3 million. But a $1.8 million surplus (visitors from outside of the community eating and drinking in the community) exists for Total Food & Drink within that radius. • The Internet offers potential to reach new customers. About 12 percent of District businesses transact sales online, 68 percent have a website and 58 percent a Facebook page. About 81 percent of consumers use Facebook. Consumers use Pinterest (34 percent), YouTube (33 percent) and Instagram (21 percent) while 11 percent of businesses use either Pinterest, YouTube or Instagram. • Businesses can align more closely with consumer demand. For example, 32 percent of consumers and 5 percent of businesses said the first thing they would do to improve the District is to improve building appearances. • Demand exists in the community for downtown living options. About 10 percent of consumers said yes they would consider living downtown and 20 percent said maybe. • The analysis shows Clothing & Clothing Accessories Stores, Foodservices & Drinking Places, Sporting Goods, Hobby, Books and Music, and Misc. Store Retailers as the best candidates for recruitment and expansion. • About 62 percent of businesses have been located in downtown for ten or more years, and 41 percent for 21 years or more, demonstrating the ability for long-term success in the District. Over 51 percent of businesses reported an increase in gross sales or revenues from 2013 to 2014, and 35 percent reported gross sales or revenues stayed about the same.
Proud to support Newton Main Street!
Consultants from Main Street Iowa and Downtown Professionals Network guided the work of the project team. The Iowa Economic Development Authority selected Newton as one of seven Main Street communities to receive a grant of technical assistance to conduct the market analysis. The technical assistance services have an estimated market value of $15,000. To read the full report, please visit our website at newtoniamainstreet. com/newton-main-street-completes-downtown-market-analysis.
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 10
Resources for Main Street District building and business owners Newton Main Street District business and building owners have access to valuable consulting resources at no cost. Property owners in the District can arrange a visit with a Main Street Iowa architect. Business owners or those looking to start a business in the Main Street District, and throughout Newton, can schedule a counseling session with the Iowa Small Business Development Center. A consultation with a Main Street Iowa architect can include design assistance for façade improvements, floor plans and more. The consultation can lower overall project costs, illustrate what your ideas will look like when completed, solicit advice from a design professional with experience working on historic buildings, initiate the process of applying for Historic Preservation Tax Credits, or strengthen your application for a Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant. The process is simple: 1) Go to our website (at www.newtoniamainstreet.com, under the heading Building Owner Resources) fill out the form and return it to the Newton Main Street office, 2) meet with the architect at your building to discuss the potential improvements—the meeting lasts an hour or less, 3) receive the architect’s rendering in the mail within a month of the meeting, and 4) take the architect’s rendering to a contractor to show the contractor exactly what work you would like to do. After the consultation, you are under no obligation to complete the project. If your plans or budget change, you can arrange for another consultation. The consultations are strictly confidential. The SBDC provides free, confidential, customized advice and counseling for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Topics of counseling include: business planning, financing opportunities, cash flow projections, market research services, business continuity planning, business growth and success strategies, and industry-specific needs. The SBDC also offers classes on a variety of topics and workshops designed specifically for entrepreneurs and small businesses with less than 500 employees. The SBDC holds consultations in Newton at the Newton Development Corporation on the third Tuesday of the month. To schedule an appointment, please call 641-787-8210.
Newton Main Street to host Commercial Space Open House Newton Main Street is holding an open house for available downtown commercial spaces on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The open house will showcase more than 10 commercial properties in the Main Street District. The event is designed to expose available buildings in the District to a wider but targeted group of prospective renters and buyers. Newton Main Street is publicizing the open house throughout the region. “We hope the opportunity to see multiple spaces attracts potential business owners to take a look at what the Main Street District has to offer,” Andrew Bassman, Newton Main Street Executive Director said. Property owners will have their property open and be on hand to answer questions. Potential renters and buyers will start at the Chamber of Commerce (113 First Ave. W.), where they can pick up a map of the open house properties, information about the properties and potential incentives and financing sources. The open house is free to all participants. One part of Main Street’s downtown revitalization mission is to assist with retention and expansion of existing businesses and new business recruitment.
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2 Submitted photos 1. Storefronts at 110 First St. N. 2. Storefronts at 201 First Ave. W. 3. Upper-floor office space at 123 W. Second St. N.
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Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 11
Cash Mob descends on one lucky District retailer One retailer in the Newton Main Street District received a surprise surge in business over the lunch hour on Oct. 20. A cash mob, organized by Newton Main Street’s Promotions committee, visited that lucky retailer. The name of the retailer was not available at the time of publication. The cash mob involved a group pledging to each spend a $20 bill at a specific time and place. The Promotions committee drew the name of a District retailer at 12:15 p.m. and the group went to that retailer and spent the $20. “The mob should bring a nice boost in sales for a Tuesday afternoon,” said Promotions committee member Leisa Zylstra. “But we also wanted to show our support for District businesses, and use this to remind the community to look local first before the start of the holiday shopping season.” The cash mob event was open to the public.
Submitted photo Mike Farley, Newton Main Street Promotions committee, shows off the $20 bill he reserved for Newton Main Street’s Cash Mob that was on Oct. 20.
Second-Story Tour promotes upper-floor redevelopment Newton Main Street hosted its Second-Story Tour fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 10. The tour showcased finished and unfinished upper stories at six commercial buildings in the Main Street District. The goal of the tour was to give the public a glimpse of the unique upper floors in the District’s historic buildings and to promote upper-floor residential development in the District. An Iowa Economic Development Authority study shows the economic impact (money spent on dining, entertainment, rent, etc.) on Iowa downtowns for each second-story housing unit, rented to a couple for $500 to $1000 per month, is between $19,469 and $38,939 per year. “Upper-story housing provides income for building owners, a customer base for businesses, adds vitality downtown, and puts to use existing infrastructure, which is fiscally responsible,” said Bruce Showalter, Main Street Organization committee chair and Board member. “Our recent market analysis also shows considerable demand for downtown housing options.” Tickets were $20 per person, to help fund Main Street downtown revitalization projects. About 60 tickets were sold for the event. After introductory remarks at the Capitol II Theatre, ticket holders were split into smaller groups and visited each building for about 15 min. Property owners, or a representative, said a few words to each group about the development process or about future plans for the space. Stops on the tour included: Forbes Office Solutions, Kitchen Concepts, Beckman Gallery, Koenen Chiropractic, Bridgehouse Coffee and above S & S Investments offices at 201 First Ave. W. The tour route covered less than a quarter of a mile, not including stairs.
Submitted photos: Row 1 from left to right: Jason Lauterbach (at 200 N. Second Ave. W.), Mary Jo Niskin (at 118 N. Second Ave.), Marilyn Terlouw (110 N. Second Ave. W.) and Stan Clement (105 W. Second St. S.) discuss their surroundings during the Second-Story Tour on Oct. 10.
Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - October • 2015 – Page 12
Mini golfers putt-putt through the District Newton Main Street held its Downtown Mini Golf event in support of United Way of Jasper County on Aug. 29. The course featured nine Main Street District businesses hosting custom-made miniature golf holes inside their buildings. “The idea was to bring people downtown to have a good time at a family-friendly activity and increase visibility for downtown businesses at the same time,” said Andrew Bassman, director of Newton Main Street. The course covered just under a mile and took about an hour and a half to play. Scorecards had a coupon for participating restaurants in the Main Street District, valid only on the day of the mini golf event, on the back. United Way of Jasper County also held fundraising activities during the event and promoted its annual fundraising campaign, which started Sept. 3. “This was an excellent opportunity for us to let people know about our fundraising drive and show mutual support between United Way and Main Street,” said Jessica Lowe, director of United Way of Jasper County.
Get Well Go Home
. . . Submitted Photo: Newton Main Street District business participated in the Downtown Mini Golf event. Row 1: ReMax Real Estate Concepts Row 2 from left to right: Mojo Cycling, Family Video, US Bank and The Medicine Shoppe. Row 3 from left to right: Home Instead Senior Care and Capitol II Theatre. Row 4 from left to right: US Cellular Boyd’s Satellite and First Newton National Bank.
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