NDN-SS-2-26-2016

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MAIN STREET

February 2016

How to volunteer: Newton Main Street is a volunteer-driven organization. Volunteers compose our Board of Directors and the four Main Street committees, and are responsible for planning, organizing and completing 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: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 or find our online donation option at: www.newtoniamainstreet.com/get-involved/donate/.

Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - February • 2016 –

2Ads

Mission StatementThe 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 DirectorsGraham Sullivan – President(Store for Homes, Newton Community Education Foundation)

Kathy Winn – Vice President(In Remembrance)

Corinne Coyle – Treasurer(Advantage Credit Union)

Danielle Rogers – Secretary(Vernon Company)

Lin Chape – Economic Restructuring committee (City of Newton City Council)

Bruce Showalter – Organization committee chair(REMAX Real Estate)

Lonnie Portner (State Farm, Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce,NHS Booster Club, Capstone, Rotary)

Larry Hurto – Design committee (City of Newton Historic Preservation Commission)

Karen Liebl – Organization committee (KCOB/Energy 106.7)

Don Poynter – Economic Restructuring committee chair (US Bank, City of Newton Planning and Zoning Committee)

Dianna Ambroson – Promotion committee(Downtown SSMID, Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy)

Mike Jacobsen(Jasper County Attorney)

Program Director – Andrew Bassman

Where is the Newton Main Street District:

photo submitted

Mailing address:Newton Main Street

113 1st Ave. W.Newton, Iowa 50208Phone: 641-792-5545

Email: [email protected]: newtoniamainstreet.com

FB: www.facebook.com/NewtonMainStreet

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Newton Main Street’s 2015 AccomplishmentsDear reader,

Newton Main Street had a very busy, exciting and successful year in 2015. We wanted to take a moment to share with you our major accomplishments from the past year:

$75,000 Challenge Grant from Main Street Iowa to restore the former Hotel Maytag ballroom

Farmers’ Market returned downtown, with Fall Fest to celebrate the season’s final market

$15,000 grant of technical assistance to complete the Downtown Market Analysis project

Worked with City staff to install a new pocket park and sidewalk connection to the public library

Worked with NDC to recruit Impress Bridal to the Main Street District

Donated 1,721 volunteer hours as of Dec. 1—the state of Iowa values an hour of volunteer labor at $21.75 for a total of $37,432 of donated labor to Main Street projects and activities so far in 2015

Facilitated the start of the first substantial façade improvement project in the District and assisted the building owner with filing an historic preservation tax credit application for the project

Teamed up with City staff and consultants to create the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan and Design Guidelines, with Main Street’s Design committee serving on the project’s task force

Held the Commercial Space Open House, Second-Story Tour, Magnetic Main Street Fundraiser, Shop Small Holiday Retail Promotion, Downtown Mini Golf, Downtown Trick or Treat and Cash Mob

Arranged 15 design consultations between District building owners and Main Street Iowa architects (at no cost to building owners)—the architects’ work had an estimated market value of $7,550

Arranged three succession planning consultations between District business owners and the SBDC

Held business plan contest and entered the winner in Main Street Iowa’s Open 4 Business contest

Partnered with Iowa State University’s Graphic Design School for the Downtown Design Project

Began the Vacant Storefront Windows design project

Initiated a business visitation program to facilitate business retention and expansion initiatives

Organized two District cleanup events with SSMID and the Chamber of Commerce

Incorporated Newton Main Street as a stand-alone 501c3 entity

Earned National Main Street Center and Main Street Iowa 2015 program accreditation

We anticipate more excitement in 2016, with a focus on facilitating building improvements, working with existing business owners to grow and expand their businesses, hosting a full calendar of events, and rolling out a new three-year pledge drive. We couldn’t have made all of these things happen without contributions from volunteers, donors and members of the community. Thank you for your support, and thank you for reading.

Sincerely,

Graham Sullivan Board President,Newton Main Street

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Impress Bridal to openWelcoming brides in Newton

By Jamee A. Pierson Down the AisleOriginally Printed on Feb. 2016

A new bridal shop opens February 29 in Newton as the doors closed at The Bridal Sweet. Impress Bridal and owners Lara and Dan Bunkers are excited to expand their business to Newton from their already successful Ankeny location, The Bridal Connection.

“My husband and I had been considering a second location for the past couple of years, since opening our location at The Bridal Connection in Ankeny in 2008,” Lara said. “In November, we were approached by Frank Liebl from the Newton Economic Development Corporation and Andrew Bassman from Newton Main Street. They were concerned that Newton keep a bridal shop in town after hearing Judy Swenson from The Bridal Sweet was retiring, and inquired to whether we may be interested in continuing a presence in Newton.”

Following a meeting between the Bunkers and Swenson, the wheels began to turn to give the Bunkers the opportunity to move forward with a second location.

“Since this introduction, we have worked closely with Judy in acquiring equipment, dress lines and current staff,” Lara said. “Other than some remodeling at this location, we will continue to maintain a similar offering Judy has incorporated, including men’s formal wear and suits, that she is renowned for in her past 34 years as a Newton icon.”

With a projected opening date of Feb. 26, the new location will have a different feel than the Ankeny location, Lara said. It will have different designer labels as well as designs by Lara herself, that will not be available anywhere else.

Along with wedding gowns, tuxedos, mothers and bridesmaids dresses, Impress Bridal will begin providing prom dresses.

“Judy has not had prom dresses for several years, but we have decided this would be a great addition to our store. Several folks in the area I have visited with have encouraged us to add these dresses as well,” Lara said.

Impress Bridal will also feature the Bunkers full service travel service, All About Romance Travel. The business specializes in honeymoon and destination wedding travel, as well as leisure.

“We have a lot to do in a short time but hopefully a little quick rehabilitation and we will be up and running. We are looking forward to working with the brides, grooms, mothers, bridesmaids and prom clients soon,” Lara said.

“I would like to send special congratulations to Judy on her retirement. She has been very helpful in making this dream a reality for not only Dan and I, but the city of Newton.”

Submitted photo

The Bridal Sweet owner Judy Swenson and Impress Bridal owners Lara and Don Bunkers stand in front of the business on First Avenue West in Newton. The new store will feature wedding dresses, brides-maid dresses and other formal wear for both women and men.


5Kitchen Concepts

Jason W. Brooks/Daily NewsJudy Swenson looks through wedding dresses at the Bridal Sweet in November. Swenson, who has owned the shop since 1989, decided to close the downtown Newton business on Dec. 31 so that she can retire.

The timing that Judy Swenson has chosen to retire has nothing to do with economics or anything to do with her shop, The Bridal Sweet, she said. She simply wants to retire.

Swenson announced in November that she’s closing The Bridal Sweet — the formal wear clothing and alteration shop she’s operated on the Newton courthouse square since 1989. The last day that orders will be taken will be Dec. 31.

As she and one of her six assistants altered men’s clothing in November, Swenson said more time for family is her primary motivation for retiring now.

“My daughter calls me from North Carolina, and says, ‘Can you come visit?,’” Swenson said. “And I say, ‘Well, no.’ I’ve got about 300 dresses here, and it takes a lot of time to keep up with orders.”

Swenson said the shop had about 30 dresses when she took over, and she’s enjoyed seeing it become a regional success. She said about 50 percent of her business is from the greater Des Moines area, and brides have come from all along the Interstate 80 corridor and as far away as Missouri in search of the perfect wedding dress.

“We sell a few straight off of the rack, but not many,” she said. “We’re one of the few places anywhere that does its own alterations in-house. Our claim to fame is service.”

Swenson and her husband, Lee, have talked about spending at least part of each winter in a warmer climate, and more time with their children is a huge priority. Their daughter, Ann, is a professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., and their son, Kirk, is an architect who lives in Paris, France, and travels extensively.

Swenson advertised a major clearance sale with large discounts.

In addition to traditional white wedding dresses, Bridal Sweet carried other women’s wear, and had men’s clothing for sale andfor rent.

Swenson made it very clear that her 26 years of supplying thousands of couples with clothing for their big day has not been a labor of love; it hasn’t really seemed like labor of any kind.

“It’s a hard decision, because I’ve loved every single minute of it,” she said. “It hasn’t ever really seemed like work. It’s a fun place to be.”

Bridal Sweet closesOwner said she loves the business, but wants to retire

By Jason W. Brooks Newton Daily NewsOriginally Printed on Nov. 5, 2015

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Mojo Cycling cash mobbed by Newton Main Street

Mojo Cycling was randomly selected as the lucky recipient of Newton Main Street’s first cash mob during the lunch hour on Oct. 20.

The mob pooled together $660 to buy four children’s bikes and helmets to donate to St. Nick’s Christmas Club and made over $800 in total purchases at Mojo Cycling that afternoon.

Due to such strong turnout, Main Street’s Promotions committee held another cash mob for Feb. 25.

Newton Main Street’s cash mobs involve a group of Main Street volunteers and community members getting together and pledging to each spend a $20 bill at a specific time and place in the Main Street District.

Newton Main Street ~ The Hub - February • 2016–

7Preview

Inside the former Pappy’s Antique Mall at 103 First Ave. W. on Newton’s downtown square, Deb Cupples wraps a ceramic antique in newspaper. Pappy’s closed its doors in December 2013 after nearly 23 years in business and the 6,000 plus square feet is now on the market.

During its prime, Cupples said Pappy’s drew customers from nearly ever state in the U.S. and was a vibrant part of the downtown Newton economy. The Pappy’s owner is looking to either rent at $1,000 per

month or sell at a $100,000 purchase price. Cupples was one of roughly 12 downtown Newton building owners who showcased available space in October as part of Newton Main Street’s Commercial Space Open House.

“The benefits of having the building were the people who were on the square every day. They would come in and they became like your friends,” Cupples said. “It was just nice to see people every day. Being downtown is advantageous for that.”

Main Street partnered with building owners to display 15 available properties during Saturday’s event — a mix of retail and office space ranging from 320 to 7,000 square feet. Building owners were on hand to answer questions and possibly take offers for renting or selling their available space.

Main Street shows vacant space during commercial open houseBy Mike Mendenhall Newton Daily News

Originally Printed on Oct.26, 2015

Newton Main Street Program Director Andrew Bassman believes the commercial space open house is a positive for both downtown building owners and prospective entrepreneurs, showcasing all the available space in the Main Street district at once. A handful of prospective renters and purchasers took the self-guided tour in October, but Bassman said Main Street intends on making the open house an annual event.

“I think the approach that some building owners take by putting the sign on the window is a good start, but we wanted to do something a little more active and try to make something happen,” Bassman said. “We figured it might appeal to people more if they could see multiple spaces at once rather than setting up who knows how many appointments to see the places.”

Don Poynter sits on Newton Main Street’s economic restructuring committee which helps the expansion and growth of existing downtown business while recruiting new business to the district.Poynter said his committee has reached out to businesses within a 35 mile radius of downtown Newton that might be exploring opening a second location or relocating to a new market. This targeted networking is based off of a consumer profiles report Main Street created in 2015.

“These buildings are open and available, so we’re not specifying the type of business,” Poynter said. “Ideally, we’d prefer to keep a mix of businesses retail and service business. But this is the county seat, it’s best to have the offices and spaces occupied. We have some prime retail space and there’s been some interest.”

Jonna and Jeff Wisnieski own Home Instead Senior Care at 207 First Ave. W. They are looking to expand their business and add staff. Jonna and Jeff said they took advantage of October’s open house to find a more suitable space.

“What we’re looking for is extra space because we’re going to add to our staff,” Jonna Wisnieski said. “We would like something a little more inspiring. We’re happy where we are but we’re looking for something a little nicer and newer and remodelable.”

Mike Mendenhall/Daily NewsDeb Cupples, owner of the former Pappy’s Antique Mall at 103 First Ave. W., shows off more than 6,000 square feet she has either for rent or for sale. Downtown Newton building owners and Main Street opened the district’s available office and retail space during for the first annual commercial space open house.


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City Council approves streetscape master plan and design guidelines

City Council recently adopted a streetscape master plan and voluntary building design guidelines for the Newton Main Street District.

City staff, Newton Main Street and interested citizens worked for several months of 2015 through a planned process with consultants Bolton & Menk and Bergland & Cram to complete the documents.

The project started with a kick off meeting on April 29. The consultants completed final drafts in September, after the third and final open house on Sept. 10. City Council adopted the design guidelines at its Dec. 7 meeting and the streetscape plan at its Feb. 2 meeting.

City staff will work on construction drawings and specifications in 2016 and implementation is scheduled to begin in 2017 and conclude in 2018.

The streetscape master plan provides a comprehensive vision for public space improvements in the District. The plan will guide future public sector investment in the District.

Design guidelines focus on 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 District building owners, especially if seeking tax credit and other grant funding.

To view the design guidelines, please visit http://newtoniamainstreet.com/building-owner-resources/building-design-guidelines/. To view the streetscape plan, please visit http://issuu.com/berglandcramarchitects/docs/2015-08streetscape_master_plan_rep_3bb40a6a0846a2.

Images courtesy of Bolton & Menk Inc.

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Newton Main Street is Open 4 Business with contestMain Street Iowa has announced its second annual Open 4 Business competition, a business plan contest to assist business development in Main Street districts across the state.

Open 4 Business offers local entrepreneurs, starting a new business or expanding an existing business, a chance to grow abusiness idea in the Newton Main Street District.

The contest consists of a local, regional and state competition. The ultimate winner of the regional and state contests takes home $28,000 in prize money.

To enter, contestants must complete a paper entry form and submit it to Newton Main Street. Contestants also have to make a 15-minute “sales pitch” about the business to the panel of judges.

Each of the 53 Main Street programs in Iowa can enter one business to represent its program.

Newton Main Street will hold a local contest to select its representative at regionals. Deadline for entries in the local contest isMay 2. Last year, Stephanie Moran of Silverado Jewelry won the local contest.

Newton Main Street is currently seeking sponsors for the local contest in an attempt to increase the price money.

The winner of the Newton contest qualifies for regionals, which will be held in five Main Street districts across the state fromJune 13-16. Winners of the regional contests each receive $8,000.

Regional winners advance to state, on Aug. 2 in Mason City, for a chance to win an additional $20,000.

A cash match of 25 percent of the prize money, which must also be devoted to business development efforts outlined in the

business plan, is required by winners of the regional and state competitions.

To qualify, businesses must be located in the Newton Main Street District. Eligible expenses include business operations such as purchase of equipment, marketing, inventory and more. The award cannot be used for employee salaries, day-to-day expenses such as utilities or major building improvement projects.

New businesses or expansions should fill an existing gap in the business mix of Newton Main Street District. For help identifying gaps in the business mix, read Main Street’s recent market analysis report (http://newtoniamainstreet.com/business-resources/downtown-market-analysis/).

For an entry form or other information, contact Newton Main Street at 641-792-5545, visit its website at newtoniamainstreet.com or stop by the Newton Main Street office, 113 First Ave. W.

photo courtesy of the Newton Daily News

Stephanie Moran of Silverado Jewelry won Newton Main Street’s Open 4 Business contest in 2015.


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Jamee A. Pierson/Daily NewsStacy Grams, owner of Stacy’s Sweetstuff, works on her famous chocolate covered smoked bacon, a local favorite. Grams recently celebrated her one-year anniversary.

Stacy’s Sweetstuff celebrates one-year anniversaryBy Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

Originally Printed on Feb. 8, 2016

Time flies when you’re having fun. That is how Stacy Grams, owner at Stacy’s Sweetstuff, feels about her first year in business at her bakery which recently celebrated its one year anniversary.

“I’ve learned a lot of about myself and about opening a business, about things you don’t think about until you open,” Grams said. “Making too much or not enough is kind of hard when you don’t have anything to compare to from the year before.”

Grams opened her shop after baking cakes and cookies at home at the request of friends and family. With a little nudge, she opened her own business, located at 208 1/2 First Ave. W., behind Moo’s BBQ.

“Certainly being connected to Moo’s BBQ helps, it brings in some of their customers. Being able to have my regular customers that refer me also helps,” Grams said.

In her year in business, Grams has evolved to serve the wants and needs of the community, including an apparent love of all things chocolate. From Oreo Reese’s to smoked chocolate dipped bacon she’s found if it has chocolate, it is gold.

“I’ve found that people like anything dipped in chocolate, so I try to get creative with that,” Grams said.

She has also found that holiday treats are popular all year round. A collection of candies, truffles and chocolate covered cherries are now a staple in the bakery, drawing in customers who want a taste of the season.

Having her own shop has also helped her stretch her creativity, getting new ideas for flavors from customer suggestions.

“People are really going for different flavors for the cupcakes,” Grams said.

New favorites include Fireball whiskey, champagne and bacon maple with smoked bacon on top.

“People like cupcakes with alcohol in them,” Grams laughed. “I’m always up for trying new things, experimenting, especially with cupcakes.”

She has also tried grape soda and root beer floats among others during her cupcake Wednesday promotion, where cupcakes are $1 each.

Grams has also kept her shop open later on Thursdays and Fridays after an increase in traffic from Moo’s and those traveling home from work. She is not changing her official hours, but if she is staying busy, she’ll stay open.

“Some days I’ll have so many customers in here that we can’t move around and other days we have a quiet day. You live and you learn and take the good days with the bad,” Grams said.

The efforts of the City of Newton and its stakeholders has also helped to boost her business.

“During Newton Fest, I was really, really busy. Definitely when there are events going on downtown, it’s nice because I am just right off the square,” Grams said.

Grams enters her second year excited for new opportunities while continuing the work that got her going. She is still available for birthday and wedding cakes or cupcakes as well as cookies and candies for any event.


11Spawn

Just Like My Art gift shop opens in NewtonBy Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

Originally Printed on Nov. 9, 2015

For more than a decade, Michelle Pritchard has been creating unique items. Now, Michelle along with her husband Steve, are sharing her creations including gift baskets, greeting cards, bookmarks and decorative canvases at their new store, Just Like My Art, located in the Courthouse Mall across from PJ’s Deli, 101 First Ave. E.

In 2001, she began making them in her home in Missouri and selling them at craft shows. She had the idea of contacting area businesses and received a contract with a local medical center for 950 baskets for nurses week. Then, not long after she was asked to do an additional 350 baskets for nurses assistants week and the business grew from there.

Soon local real estate agents, mortgage companies, churches and many other organizations began placing orders, sparking Michelle to open her own store in 2002. After a year in business, she decided to go down another path and put Just Like My Art on hold.

Since getting back in the game, Michelle has added to her repertoire including greeting cards that are carefully designed and diligently developed to capture every occasion or life event. Michelle also offers journals, bookmarks, decorative canvases and enclosure cards to go along with the gift baskets she brought back after popular demand.

Following a move to Newton, Michelle and Steve decided it was time to share her talents with the local community. Michelle and Steve started with abooth at the Newton Farmers’ Market.

Konek, PC expands business to NewtonBy Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

Originally Printed on Feb. 1, 2016

A new certified public accountant is in Newton, but he is already familiar with the community.

Kurt Konek of Konek, PC brought his successful CPA firm to town in December, after already establishing roots in Newton.

“I currently serve as treasurer for the Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce and have been working with a number of individual and business for a long time. We have considered starting a location in Newton for a long time and whole process was accelerated when Alan Stout called,” Konek said.

Stout contacted Konek about coming to Newton and helping his clients following some health issues. Konek jumped at the opportunity to expand his business and help out a colleague. The business will be located at 108 First St. S.

Fine Things Reclaimed debuts indowntown Newton

By Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily NewsOriginally Printed on Feb. 22, 2016

Making something old new again is the idea behind Fine Things Reclaimed, a new shop open at 205 First Ave. W.

Owners Julia Prendergast and Cindy Sell are mixing modern and classic styles with industrial or even glam-chic to give designs that will compliment anyone’s lifestyles or interests.

“It is all about making things usable again. That’s what people are really interested in doing,” Sell said. “It’s about preservation and keeping the older things alive and putting new life in them.”

The idea for a shop came when Prendergast began tearing down an old barn on her property. With a surplus of barn wood, she and Sell put their husbands to work, which ended up being the beginning of Fine Things Reclaimed.

“We had all of this barn wood, and we were wondering what to do with all of it. Our husbands thought they could probably make some cool things out of it,” Prendergast said. “They started working in the shop making some really cool stuff but then we were thinking, what are we going to do with it all? I thought, you know what, this might be a good time to give this a shot. So we said what the heck, let’s try it.”

Two short months later and with an opening in the building they own in downtown Newton, the couples decided to give it a go. Most pieces in the shop are one-of-a-kind, built by hand and accessorized by the business partners and friends.

For now, the shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays with potential Thursday and Friday hours to come. An open house for the new business is planned for March 5 with goodies available and new merchandise ready for viewing.

The shop also has a Facebook page and website, www.finethingsreclaimed.com, that will be updated frequently with new pieces available.

Jamee A. Pierson/Daily NewsFine Things Reclaimed owners Julia Prendergast and Cindy Sell are bringing their love of living old items a new life to their new shop at 205 First Ave. W.

Jamee A. Pierson/Daily NewsGift baskets, greeting cards, bookmarks, and decorative canvases are available at Just Like My Art, located in the Courthouse Mall across from PJ’s Deli, 101 First Ave. E. in Newton.


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s: Chambers earns Main Street Iowa Leadership Award

Erin Chambers, director of Planning and Zoning for the City of Newton, has been awarded a Main Street Iowa Leadership Award for her contributions to the Newton Main Street program. The Leadership Award recognizes inspirational leadership throughout the life of the program. Chambers will receive the award at the Main Street Iowa 30th Anniversary Celebration at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines on April 29.

To mark its 30th anniversary, Main Street Iowa expanded the scope of its annual Volunteer of the Year awards to cover the entire life of each Main Street program. Past winners of the Volunteer of the Year award from Newton are Bruce Showalter and Rita Reinheimer.

Chambers’ leadership predates Newton Main Street: she established the City’s Historic Preservation Commission (2008), set Main Street’s policy foundation by co-authoring the City’s Comprehensive Plan (2012), and prepared Newton’s application to become a Main Street community (2013). In 2014, Chambers guided the Commission’s effort to designate downtown as a National Register historic district.

Chambers regularly works collaboratively (and patiently) with program staff and volunteers, accomplishing projects like a new pocket park, a streetscape master plan and design guidelines. Chambers routinely goes above and beyond, from early hour Main Street Board meetings (she’s an ex-officio member) to after work downtown cleanup events and more.

Congratulations Erin, and thank you for all of your hard work!

Erin Chambers


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Incentives approved for Hotel Maytag projectBy Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News

Originally Printed on Dec. 22, 2015

A unanimous city council vote approved an agreement that provides $600,000 in TIF development incentives and property tax rebates for the renovation of the Midtown building. The agreement is the next step for Frantz Community Investors to begin a renovation of the former Hotel Maytag building.

“This has been a labor of love for the past 12 months, and we’re excited,” said Andy Frantz, vice president of operations for FCI. “We’re at the goal line, and we’re ready to cross it and have some fun in 2016.”

Since last December, the city has been working with the Cedar Rapids-based company on a project to extensively renovate the building in downtown Newton. Plans were unveiled in March for a $10 million historic renovation which is expected to restore the ballroom, add market-price apartments, commercial space and an upscale restaurant to the current Midtown building.

Construction is anticipated to start in early 2016 and is projected to be completed mid-2017. Under the Frantz plan, the upper three stories would be renovated into 36 one- and two-bedroom market-rate apartments that would feature amenities to target a high-quality market niche.

Three corporate apartments would be created on the second floor for shorter-term stays for visiting business people. Also on the second floor, the former ballroom space, which is currently divided in offices, would be restored including the skylight, walls and cornices. The group hopes the renovation would create an event space that could accommodate 300 people.

On the first floor, commercial spaces would see improvements with all tenants having the opportunity to remain and new businesses recruited to fill additional spaces. It is also hoped a fine dining establishment would make a home in the building.

The mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems of the building would all be upgraded, and the roof and exterior would also be repaired. All renovations will be done in accordance with the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, preserving the historical aspects of the building.

The project will be a great catalyst for residential and commercial growth in the area and will preserve a valuable historic asset, according the city administrator Bob Knabel.

In order to facilitate this development, a multiple piece city incentive was approved to leverage the $10 million of project investment. That incentive includes property tax rebates, the sale of a lot for parking, a $50,000 contribution of TIF infrastructure funds and waiving development permit fees associated with the project.

For property taxes, following the agreement, the building, which is currently valued at $343,990 would increase to $2.3 million before 2018. The taxes assessed per year would triple to $40,000 but will then be capped at that amount by rebating the taxes paid for $40,000 for 15 years.

In May the city amended its North Central Urban Renewal Plan to specifically allow for incentives for this project, through a process that allowed for consultation with Jasper County and Newton Community School District. In June, the city issued $600,000 of TIF bonds that were intended for this project.

Frantz is planning to make a major equity investment into the building and will take out a large loan for the project, which it hopes to wrap up at the beginning of the year. The company will also use several public sources for support including federal historic tax credits, state of Iowa historic tax credits and state of Iowa workforce tax credits.

The project was also awarded a $75,000 state of Iowa Main Street Challenge Grant to put toward the ballroom renovation. That grant was made possible by the efforts of Newton Main Street.

Jamee A. Pierson/Daily NewsFrantz Community Investors Vice President of Operations Andy Frantz was on hand as the Newton City Council unanimously approved an agreement for the renovation of the Midtown building, beginning after the first of the year.


L to R: Barb Barr, Kathy Macy, Julie Rose, Jo Jenkins, Bruce Showalter and Sherri Newton

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Design and small business consultants available at no cost toMain Street 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, window displays, graphic design assistance and more. The consultation can lower overall project costs, illustrate what your ideas will look like when completed, yield 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) fill out the form at http://newtoniamainstreet.com/building-owner-resources/design-assistance/ and return it to the Newton Main Street office, 2) meet with the architect at your building for about an hour to discuss the project, 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 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, call 641-787-8210.


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Sign Pro donates to downtown decorationsBy Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News


Those who took a stroll in downtown Newton during the holidays may have noticed the added decorations on vacant store fronts. Local business Sign Pro, along with Newton Main Street, is responsible for bringing the festive holiday look to otherwise empty buildings.

“They are trying to make things a little more festive and do some things with the empty buildings,” Sign Pro owner Matt Michener said.

Michener was approached by Newton Main Street to be part of the project and decided to donate the time and materials to make it happen. Michener said Sign Pro came up with the designs for the windows, which were located on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Second Street, the former Speakeasy and former Pappy’s Antique Mall.

The three windows on the southwest corner of First Avenue and Second Street featured a snowman in a winter scene that said “Happy Holidays Newton” and snowflakes and winter trees with red bird accents and joy across the window. The former Speakeasy had several large Christmas bulbs hanging down and the former Pappy’s building shows the three wise men on their journey following the star.

The decorations, which went up the beginning of November, were a part of a larger project with the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce to get ready for the annual courthouse lighting and lighted holiday festival, Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said.

He said the idea started with putting the plans for the streetscape master plan in the former Pappy’s building and plans to continue the idea through the year in different areas of the downtown.

“We want to continue the idea in places that have more pedestrian traffic. Other places that are less aesthetically pleasing or have more auto traffic would be a good place for temporary art installation,” Bassman said.

Bassman said Main Street has been in contact with various groups in the community to bring their talents to the downtown project. The installations will be temporary and change depending on the time of year and what is appropriate.

“It’s something the community should look forward to,” Bassman said.

Jamee A. Pierson/Daily NewsSeveral decorative installations were donated by Sign Pro to help bring the holiday spirit to buildings that are currently vacant in the downtown area.

Shop Small Saturday returns for second yearBy Jamee A. Pierson Newton Daily News


Back for a second year, Newton Main Street’s Shop Small event celebrated Small Business Saturday.

Main Street district retailers and restaurants offered retail promotions through coupons and giveaways to help encourage community members to shop local the day after Black Friday.

“We like to encourage customers to check out the great gift options available in the district, to generate repeat visits from customers, and to reward customers for looking local first,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Andrew Bassman said.

Following the same format as last year, customers received the coupons for purchases made at participating businesses between Nov. 28 and Dec. 8. Customers could only redeem the coupons at the same store between Dec. 9 and Dec. 24.

Businesses had the option of issuing coupons at two different levels: a $5 coupon for every $25 spent or a $1 for every $10 spent. Businesses could also place additional restrictions on the coupons.

“This year, we’ll continue the coupons, marketing materials and promotions for those businesses who want it through our Facebook site, showing off their best products through the holiday season,” Bassman said. Main Street’s Facebook posts for the event reached over 20,000 people.

Bassman said local businesses were hard at work getting ready for the holiday season with new inventory and decorations, and he knew some community members who were looking local before heading to Des Moines.

“One of our volunteers said his wife was going to try to do 75 percent of her Christmas shopping in Newton this year. I think that is a great goal and if others got involved in that you would see a huge impact for downtown businesses,” Bassman said.

Bassman said he received very good feedback from last year’s participants and was given the go-ahead to continue the event this year.

“People reported they had a good experience with it and others reported record sales for the holiday season,” Bassman said.

File PhotoShoppers were once again asked to look local on Small Business Saturday and participate in Shop Small to get coupons and deals to be used in Newton’s downtown shopping district.


Thank you to Downtown SSMID Board, Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce and Newton Main Street volunteers for your help with the Downtown Cleanup on Nov. 3. Thank you also to McDonald’s Tree Services, Tree Pro Services, Realm, Hendrickson Greenhouse, Newton Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, The Farmer’s Wife, and City of Newton Parks Department for donating materials and equipment.

Newton Main Street and SSMID have planned additional cleanups on April 12, June 2 and Nov. 1 in 2016.

SSMID, Chamber and Newton Main Streetcollaborate on cleanup event

NDN-SS-2-26-2016

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