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E-Dart Newsletter Special Downtowners’ Election Newsletter May 17 2010 What you will find… Each election season, the Downtown Business Association sends a questionnaire regarding downtown topics to the candidates. The June 8th 2010 election has six candidates running for two open Bismarck City Commission seats and two candidates running for Bismarck Mayor. Order has been selected at random. Each candidate was given five questions regarding the downtown area. For brevity’s sake, answers were limited to between 150-200 words. The answers below have been posted verbatim and are intended to inform our membership where the candidates stand on important issues for the city center. The questions… 1. What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. -------------------------------- Mayoral Candidates John Warford (incumbent) 1. What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? Downtown Bismarck is a reflection of who we are as a community. The vitality in community services, commercial activity, environmental and aesthetic appearances demonstrate pride, hope, and a true sense of ownership and place for all our citizens. Downtown is the “heartbeat” of Bismarck. I have strongly advocated the last 8 years for policies that enhance the business and economic growth of downtown. Strong downtown districts set a positive tone, sense of community, reduce crime, stimulate economic development, provide retail opportunities, entertainment, and quality of life in our Bismarck community. An engaged Downtown Business Association provides the leadership needed to assure a close working relationship (there should be at least quarterly dialogue) with the mayor and other community leaders to make sure they are all working together toward the common goal: a vibrant downtown and community. 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? I would continue to let the business community know that we are here to support them. All business owners need to know that the city and community appreciates their risk-taking and the employment opportunities they provide. I appointed the CORE committee approximately 4 years' ago which was a broad-based citizen’s group that came up with recommendations and initiatives to revitalize our downtown. Currently this committee recommendations reside with the Renaissance Zone Committee, and I have consistently advocated these initiatives: quiet rail, parking, living units, streetscape improvements, parking ramps, parking solutions, and downtown community park/parks. In addition, I strongly favor Renaissance Zone incentives. There were zero projects when I was elected in 2002 and the number is now over 60 applications, 40 projects completed, 200 plus jobs created, and over 13 million private dollars invested in the downtown. Another idea being discussed (a suggestion of the Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Group, MEDAG), is to include expanding the role of the BMDA to include promotion of the downtown and to act as an “ombudsman” to help facilitate the location of new businesses in the downtown. I am also a strong proponent of more community-wide entertainment events and festivals located in the downtown. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? I am strongly in favor of Quiet Rail Zone. Quiet Rail is a key component to improving the quality of life, encouraging investment, and attracting living units into the downtown. Living units are a key component in getting the downtown to move to the next level; without Quiet Rail this will not happen. The challenge we face is the negative citizen’s vote nearly 2 years' ago when a comprehensive city-wide QRZ was on the ballot with the improvements to be paid for by a mixture of TIF funds and sales tax. Once the TIF lawsuit is resolved, then the funding mechanism for a scaled down QRZ for 3rd, 5th, and 12th Streets can be identified. Due to the precedence of the previous vote, I feel the city commission should respect the citizen’s wishes and vote on it again. I am convinced the citizens desire a scaled down QRZ project. 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? The profitability and payrolls of downtown Bismarck businesses depend upon ensuring that there is ready access to their business. Parking is critical to sustaining downtown’s business community. Therefore, I support the 6th Street parking ramp and the study that shows one in the future serving the 3rd and Rosser area which includes the Federal Building, MDU, and various banks and businesses. With the TIF lawsuit, there is uncertainty regarding the funding mechanism. The “on street” parking in the core district is and has been a problem. If shoppers do not view the area as easily accessible, they will not do business there. Employees need a place to park while they work. The parking study which offered clear focus on the ramps had little to offer to solve the employee parking on the street issue. The Parking Task Force which I appointed a few years ago had good suggestions and the current parking times/fines are a result of this group’s wishes. There may be some traction for a new look and I would listen to the Downtown Business Association for guidance. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. A. Quiet Rail Zone; B. Parking Ramps; and C. Implementation of the CORE Committee recommendations of streetscape improvement, landscape improvement, living units, more events, and more public spaces. ------------------------------ Steve Schwab 1. What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? Downtown is one component of the entire community, which we should strive to foster with even handed tax incentives, and tax policy that do not treat one sector of our community as more important or less important than another. One of the key factors in keeping businesses healthy and vibrant is to encourage competition and to foster a low cost of doing business and living in Bismarck. Downtown offers a key venue for many activities that help serve the public interest—no doubt, but again so does, the river, our parks system, the state capitol complex, and our neighborhoods. 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? The downtown area is quite vibrant now, and is enjoying the impacts of a healthy and vibrant, state and local economy. I don’t believe it is in our best interests to promote tax policy that encourages one part of our city to enjoy benefits/over or at the cost of other parts of our community…nor to promote so called revitalization by moving tenants from one building in downtown to another building downtown. Low taxes, safe streets with adequate parking and attractive public space (bought with public tax dollars---not “donated” by a developer) in the downtown area would be my direction for policy in downtown. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? The City Commission has approved the Quiet Rail Zone to be funded with TIF moneys—and was NOT scheduled for any vote----but was to proceed towards construction. I voted against that proposal and believe the people voted clearly against the quiet rail project. (I favor quieting the trains, but believe we have to have a better answer……such as getting the federal law changed, and lobbying BNSF to make modifications on when, and how long the whistles are blown in town. 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? We should first reveal the results of the $50,000 study that was done for parking…and then we should determine what steps if any are necessary for parking downtown. I am opposed to building a new parking ramp with TIF funding, unless a new TIF district is established under a new ordinance. Any new parking must be considered in concert with any proposed expansion or remodeling at the Civic Center and should consider parking needs at the Civic Center as well. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. A detailed and comprehensive plan for downtown instead of using the bandage approach. Remove buildings that are no longer viable and a waste of money to repair. Treat all sectors of the community equally. ------------------------------------------------ Bismarck City Commission Candidates Josh Askvig 1. What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? When I announced my candidacy for the City Commission, I stated my belief that the city needs to have an “iron clad commitment to revitalizing downtown.” I stand by that statement. Downtown is the heart of Bismarck, it is rich with history, where many of the most important decisions in our statehood have been made. It is the original economic center of our community, and today serves as an important cultural and historic center for Bismarck. I also think downtown can become the center for the next generation of high tech, high wage industry for our community. Entrepreneurs, especially young professionals, are looking for a quality of place with a vibrant and cultural atmosphere, that is downtown Bismarck. 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? We need to ensure that we maintain and enhance the investment the City already has in infrastructure and resources spent downtown. Further, Bismarck should continue to promote and advocate its Renaissance Zone and CORE programs to encourage new growth and development downtown. Additionally, the city should continue to find ways to work with organizations like the Downtowners Association to find ways to encourage developers to build in downtown. Finally, the city needs to work with the downtown community to tackle parking constraints and noise concerns. In order for downtown to reach its potential it needs to create an environment and atmosphere that promotes the culture of our community and capitalizes on the rich history of this part of our community. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? The Downtown Bismarck Business District has a unique challenge with a train track running through town and right by the downtown business section of the community. These trains are required to blow its horn because of safety regulations. However, our community, especially economic developers and current business downtown would benefit if these whistles were silenced. In my discussions with citizens around town, even those who do not live or work next to the tracks, understand the noise and disruption they cause. The only way to silence the train whistle is to establish a Quiet Rail Zone with additional signage, lights, and other safety measures. If we are to establish a quality of place where downtown will have housing, a vibrant culture, and continued economic growth, the city must find a way to establish this zone. I support a Quiet Rail Zone, and would work to find solutions to further a Quiet Rail Zone. 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? Working downtown, I understand the challenges of parking in downtown Bismarck. The downtown district definitely needs additional parking. As you know, the city commission recently added a parking ramp on 6th and Thayer to its downtown urban renewal plans. I support this move and think that if this project moves forward, these additional parking spaces will relieve the pressure for on-street parking, especially for patrons who wish to shop, eat, or socialize downtown. Also, I want to see the recent study done by the city about parking concerns downtown. Specifically, do our current parking policies (time limits, fines, ramps, etc…) meet the space we currently have? Are there other options to consider besides ramps that might alleviate parking issues? If downtown is to succeed we need to find ways to address the parking concerns of residents, patrons, business owners, and property owners downtown. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. First, I think that downtown needs to continue to be redeveloped and made into a cultural and activity center for the Bismarck community. With the recent addition of the Blarney Stone, the soon to be addition of the Toasted Frog, and discussions about art beautification of the 3rd street parking ramp, I think downtown is moving in the right direction. We need to capitalize on this momentum and ensure that the city uses its redevelopment tools to encourage growth and preservation. The city plays a role in this development through the Renaissance Zone Program, the CORE program, and through its partnerships with local businesses downtown to put on special events and community gatherings. The city should be a partner in beautification and preservation efforts, specifically restoring Bismarck to a more historic and small town feel with tree planting, sidewalk and bench placement, and other plans to make Bismarck feel like the historic district it is. Second, West downtown needs some serious attention. Many in this community view downtown as being from 3rd street to 7th street but, it is much larger than that. If you spend any amount of time downtown you understand there are many active businesses in West downtown and yet there is plenty of blighted and empty space West of 3rd street ripe for redevelopment and growth. The city should work with interested parties, including the Downtowners Association to find ways to spur growth in this part of downtown Bismarck Third, Bismarck desperately needs find answers to the parking difficulties downtown. As I said above, I think the addition of a parking ramp to ease employee parking on streets is a step in the right direction. Further, a ramp will provide additional space for those who wish to build housing downtown. Housing will ultimately encourage traffic and vibrancy to the downtown district. Having quality moderate to high end housing downtown is needed and to do so there needs to be progress made on parking. Finally, a ramp will also ease congestion during special events downtown. ------------------------------------------ Kurt Schmidt 1. What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? Bismarck's downtown is vital to creating and maintaining a vibrant, robust city. It is the hub around which the rest of the city is built and it must continue to be robust for the city to thrive. The sense of pride from having a revitalized downtown can spill over into other areas of the city and may result in motivating more residents of Bismarck to renew and update other areas of the city, including areas beyond downtown. In other words, a vital, active downtown area can serve as a role model for the rest of the city! 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? We need to simplify government. There are many bureaucratic hurdles that exist for development efforts. Government needs to streamline the paperwork process, making it easier for developers to open business in downtown Bismarck. Government should not be the problem slowing development. City leaders need to do a better job of marketing all the great things downtown Bismarck has to offer. We need to create a marketing plan to encourage development within the downtown area. The development of that plan must include partnerships with all stakeholders. The marketing plan needs to include efforts to explain the legitimate uses of assistance options available, including CORE, TIF, Vision and Renaissance Zone alternatives. The plan must strive to entice smaller service oriented and specialty businesses. These businesses are typically locally owned and see a high volume of foot traffic. The downtown area must be pedestrian friendly, with wide, well marked, well lit sidewalks and routes. Those walking routes must include access to adequate parking. City leaders should review the recently completed parking study and look towards appropriate implementation of the recommendations in the study. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? The statement has been made that the trains have been here throughout Bismarck's history so those along the track should tolerate the noise. However, it seems that the increased number of trains and the increased volume of the train horns has certainly become an issue in the downtown area. It has been suggested the train noise is the biggest single hurdle holding back development within the downtown area. With regard to the creation of a Quiet Rail Zone, I believe a scaled back version of the project could be pursued and perhaps taken back to the voters. To pay for it, I believe the city should pursue a special assessment district, similar to the process used for other improvements. This provides for a method to share the cost, but has a larger share being paid by those who directly benefit. I believe the citizens could support that concept. 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? Yes. I support a new parking ramp in the core district, assuming the parking needs of the downtown area justify the need for another parking ramp. It must be justified and it must be financially supported, in a large part, by those who will be using it. It is my understanding that the city recently completed a study of downtown parking needs. I believe the results of that study should be reviewed and we should begin to implement the appropriate recommendations of that study. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. a) I believe our revitalization efforts need to be part of a larger comprehensive plan for the core of the city. As a community, we need to create and update plans for revitalizing the downtown area then direct our efforts towards completing those plans. It seems much of our current efforts are “reactive” as we react to a specific problem or building project. We need to make our efforts proactive and work towards a set of common goals. The plan needs to include a significant marketing component to be used to educate developers, investors and potential business owners about the benefits available by locating in downtown Bismarck. b) The revitalization effort needs to include more than financial incentives. We need to work harder to develop public-private partnerships. Once we have a working partnership, we can put the group to work on the comprehensive plan! Current groups such as BMDA, Downtowners and the Chamber are extremely valuable in our efforts. The expanded public-private partnership needs to include those groups and build on their knowledge and experience. c) Most importantly, government needs to ensure it is not the burden that is slowing or hindering progress in downtown Bismarck. The private sector is the engine that creates the jobs and makes Bismarck buzz. We need to streamline government; simplify bureaucratic processes; control taxes and create an environment where private enterprise can thrive and grow. We need Smarter Government not more government. ----------------------------------------- Brad Feldman 1. What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? Downtown Bismarck plays a big role in this community. It is the heartbeat of the community. If you look at Downtown Bismarck in the present day you have a good mix of banks, financial advisors, lawyers, government, mixed office buildings and some retail and restaurants sprinkled within. Maintaining these businesses and growing more with the addition of residential would be a desirable direction. 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? I think this is where the private sector has to be responsible for the growth. I cannot see how the government can pick and choose which businesses they want to support with financial incentives. That being said, right now there is the Renaissance Zone available for businesses to move to downtown and take advantage of property and income tax incentives for five years. I look at it this way. These businesses are moving into spaces that have been vacant. It is a benefit for a new business to move into those spaces and get them back on the tax rolls once their incentive period has passed. But the idea of giving a business already located in the community to move to a space downtown and take advantage is something that concerns me. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? I can see why the downtown businesses would be interested and are pushing for the quiet rail zone. However, the citizens of this community did vote on the issue. At that time it was voted down by a pretty good margin. At that time it was sales tax money that would be used to pay for the QRZ. In my opinion that is the most realistic funding source to pay for the QRZ. I would be in complete support of the QRZ if it was sales tax money. Now, some downtown business owners are asking for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) money to be used to pay for the improvements. A responsible city commission would wait for the lawsuit to go forward and then the Attorney General’s opinion. 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? I don’t think there is any question that parking is the number one issue facing our downtown. I have spoken with many business owners in the past seven years that say they left downtown because their customers had no place to park. Parking is what attracts businesses and consumers to the larger shopping centers. I would be in complete favor of a new parking ramp IF it included some space on the ground level and maybe second level for some retail, restaurants and some office space. The only question would be the funding source. That is something that would have to be worked out. Currently, with the lawsuit in play, I would not be in favor of pushing the project through with TIF Funds. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. 1) A green space where there can be a market for people to come and walk through and have some vendors. This is something I would like to see happen on a weekly basis when the weather permits. Maybe it would mean closing down a street to allow this to happen. 2) Working with the downtown business owners to stay open a little later. A big complaint I hear from people is that most of the downtown businesses close between five and six in the evening. This is obviously with the exception of the bars and restaurants. People would probably be more willing to come shopping downtown if the shops were open when people are not working. 3) Do something with the empty buildings that are falling apart. I have spoken with so many developers who have said that the older buildings in downtown are harder to rent because it would take so much more for them to be brought up to code. The investment would be very difficult to make happen. I would urge the city to come up with some kind of action plan on some of the buildings. ------------------------------------ Brenda Smith 1 .What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? Many people say the health of a city can be measured by the vitality of its’ downtown and I fully agree. Bismarck’s downtown is the heart of our city and the center of its history. Bismarck’s downtown is the home to many of our local businesses, boutiques and restaurants. It is important to support our local business owners. 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? When I talk to people about the downtown and attracting new business and housing, the two greatest obstacles are the noise of the trains and the lack of parking. The city will continue to face challenges in the future downtown development if the city does not address these two issues. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? Quiet Rail is an issue for continued future downtown development. People with businesses located downtown, deal daily with the disruption of business and annoyance of the train passing next to their business and sounding the horns. Residents north of the Interstate have commented about being awakened by the train late at night. The Quiet Rail is actually safer because of the double arms on both sides of the tracks. It is my understanding that there will be more trains passing through Bismarck as a result of the increased loads of coal. When I grew up in Bismarck, the trains were quieter and less frequent. Because of new regulations, the horns are blowing louder, longer and more often. TIF was proposed as a source of funding, but as a result of the pending lawsuit, TIF as a source of funding will not be available in the near future. The lawsuit will determine the legality of the use of TIF funds for Quiet Rail. The residents of Bismarck voted, almost two years ago, that the entire area of town affected by the train go Quiet Rail. The measure was defeated. Now the city has been considering a smaller area with only 3 intersections to be upgraded. I feel because the people said no once – the issue should be brought before the voters in its’ new, more limited form. This is not bringing an “old idea” back for a vote, rather a new limited, less costly proposal which should be brought forward for consideration. 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? We absolutely need to find additional parking in downtown Bismarck. The majority of residents of Bismarck will agree there is insufficient parking in the downtown area. Downtown businesses are already in need of parking for their employees and customers. When the new UND Med School building is completed, we will see an even greater need for additional parking. In order to fill some of the vacant buildings downtown - we need additional parking. TIF funds, which had been considered as a source of funding a parking ramp, are tied up in the lawsuit. The city will have to wait until the court’s ruling to determine if that money will be available for parking. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. 1. Quiet rail for further development of downtown, safer crossings and for betterment of the entire community as far as noise heard into even the north part of Bismarck. 2. Parking needs to be addressed. 3. Housing- As a realtor, I frequently hear comments about the need and desire of residents to live in the downtown area. Downtown Bismarck is becoming an exciting place to work , shop, dine and enjoy a night out. Residents would like the opportunity to live downtown as well. --------------------------------------------- Chris Ebertz 1.What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? The downtown area serves as the City Center and plays a vital role for the present and future of Bismarck. Access to the City Center should be maintained for all to enjoy and share. 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? I would promote downtown developed and encourage a design similar to that of the Buckhead District in Atlanta, downtown Helena MT, or Downtown Denver. A creation of a retail, professional, and government City Park would be to the best interest of the community The design should compliment the current downtown with a layout tailored to provide maximum parking, access for all residents, and include small curbside vendors. The funding would be termed as an investment for the community producing an increase in the tax base for the general fund. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? I believe the QRZ should be placed before the voters of Bismarck. The support of the majority of the residents of Bismarck is essential to all future development within the City. The perpetual TIF funding for downtown and the QRZ have become a red haring for the City’s economic development policy. If we choose to respect the will of the voters on this it will jeopardize the success of our future economic development plans 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? Yes, tailored to create the maximum public use. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. Matching funds in support of curbside vendors, expanded parking tailored to meet the “City Park” concept, and penthouse apartments. -------------------------------------------- Paul Quist 1.What do you see as the role downtown Bismarck plays in the community? The downtown area is the heartbeat of Bismarck. We need to keep a clean downtown area as it represents the whole community. I would like more of a community atmosphere that provides a social outlet for the city. Once we get people downtown, the business atmosphere will improve. 2. What would be your plan to encourage downtown revitalization and attract new businesses, living units, and public spaces into downtown Bismarck? I would like to see a one to two block area that is available to pedestrian traffic only. It would be a great spot for small shops, restaurants and live music. It would be a great social area for the younger crowd and may help to revitalize downtown. 3. What is your position on Quiet Rail Zone and how would you see its uses/benefits/challenges in downtown Bismarck and the community as a whole? My position is a vote was taken and we need to respect the will of the people. If we can come up with a plan that has a more reasonable price tag, I think we can garner more support and voters will get behind the quiet rail zone. 4. What is your position on parking in downtown Bismarck, and would you support building a new parking ramp in the core district? Downtown needs more parking. I would support a parking ramp that has support from the nearby businesses before it is built. The majority of spaces should be spoken for before construction begins. 5. Please detail three things you’d like to further along in the downtown Bismarck area if you were elected to the city commission. 1. Keep the roads well maintained and the sidewalks clean. Along with providing sufficient police and fire protection services to keep downtown a safe place to be. 2. Secure a 1-2 block area for pedestrian traffic only. 3. Provide more parking through a well-placed parking ramp or two (for the future). -------------------------------------- Downtowners Member Mixer The Downtowners will be hosting the spring member mixer at Ma7 27 at Impact Gallery and Gifts. Keep an eye out for your invitation. Network with other downtowners! 4:30-7:00 with minute to win it from 5:30-6:30. Please send all member business news and events to: kate@downtownbismarck.com and we will try our best to get the information out to members and on our website. Join the Downtowners on Facebook! Search for ‘Downtown Business Association of Bismarck’ and get up to the minute Downtown news, plus qualify for special promotions! Check the Downtown Business Association’s website for updated news and events. www.downtownbismarck.com or www.bismarckribfest.com Please forward this on to people interested in Downtown news Downtowners Member Mixer The Downtowners will be hosting the spring member mixer at the end of May at Impact Gallery and Gifts. Keep an eye out for your invitation. Network with other downtowners! Please send all member business news and events to: kate@downtownbismarck.com and we will try our best to get the information out to members and on our website. Join the Downtowners on Facebook! Search for ‘Downtown Business Association of Bismarck’ and get up to the minute Downtown news, plus qualify for special promotions! Check the Downtown Business Association’s website for updated news and events. www.downtownbismarck.com or www.bismarckribfest.com Please forward this on to people interested in Downtown news!
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