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Clinton Cultural District Includes Historic Preservation
Lt.
Governor Sally Pederson and Department of Cultural Affairs Director Anita Walker
met with government and community leaders from Clinton Feb. 16 at the State Capitol
to unveil the Riverview Cultural and Entertainment District (CED). Designation
of the Riverview District was the first action item identified and completed as
part of the Great Places agreement between Clinton and the state. Clinton was
selected one of three pilot Great Places in 2005.
The Riverview CED lies in the heart of Clinton and is home to unique architecture and historic structures. Through Downtown Partnership, Clinton’s Self-Sustaining Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) has worked to preserve historic buildings in its downtown area.
Preservation of the Van Allen Building, facade improvements to downtown storefronts and the redevelopment of the Howes Building demonstrate the Partnership’s dedication to preserving the area’s architecture. The classical Greek-style First National Bank Building and the classic Carnegie style of the Clinton Public Library are just two of the other architectural structures in the Historic Downtown Clinton area.
In addition to historic preservation, Clinton seeks to make the district a destination point where people can explore the arts, experience other cultures and find interesting things to do. Activities could include taking art classes, shopping in galleries, visiting coffee shops and boutiques and hiking along the Mississippi River.
CEDs enrich local economies by developing and sustaining cultural arts opportunities that enhance property values, the profitability of surrounding businesses and the tax base of the region. CEDs also contribute to the creativity and innovation of a community by attracting a diverse and well-educated workforce – a key incentive for new and relocating businesses.
Benefits offered to CEDs could include historic tax credits for rehabilitation of historic structures or other incentives that create live/work space for cultural workers, space for cultural enterprises and access to financial assistance programs from state agencies and other funding partners.
Other communities that have received CED certification include Ames, Cedar Falls, Charles City, Cherokee, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fairfield, Iowa City, Keokuk, Marion, Mason City, Muscatine, Sioux City, Spencer and Waterloo.
Applications for next year’s certifications are due September 1, 2006. For more information, contact Jack Porter at (515) 242-6152, Jack.Porter@iowa.gov or visit www.culturalaffairs.org.
