2014 Review of the Year – 50th Anniversary of DTI (1964 to 2014)
January : Co-hosted Legislative Welcome Breakfast , January 14/Capitol
Annual Meeting – January 16 / Inauguration of Jim Rinner as Board Chair
Created “Diggin’ Downtown” Team to assist with redevelopment needs of businesses and communication to public
Launched “Volunteer Registry” program in partnership with Visit Topeka, Inc.
February: Purchased Utility Vehicle for use in BID
Worked with City of Topeka in launching a Part-Time Employee Parking Program
Ribbon Cutting for Kansas Contractors Association – 2/11
Vince Frye honored as SME Executive of the Year for Downtown efforts
Facilitated public comment on sale of USPS at 5th & Kansas
Finalized BID list for City as per contract
Provided Kansas Avenue Project updates to City Council 2/18 & facilitated Open House to the public on 2/26
Mailed 1st BID newsletter for 2014
Launched new Wordpress Website for DTI
March: Assisted with St. Patrick’s Day Activities and Parade
Ribbon Cuttings: HTK Architects at 900 S Kansas / MARS Pop-up Store 713 S Kansas
Facilitated with NEW Branding Program for Topeka to be announced in 2015
Partnered with app LIGO to connect downtown businesses to Washburn University
Facilitated with MARS Pop-up Store opening downtown March 28
April: BNSF presents check for $200,000 to downtown project
Promoted National Work Zone Awareness Week
Community volunteers “yarn bomb” downtown trees as beautification project
Juli’s Coffee & Bistro opened 110 SE 8th
Skin Art Tattoo Emporium opened 707 SE Quincy, Lower Level
Ribbon Cutting: Skin Art Tattoo Emporium
2nd Annual Bridge2Bridge 5K Run/Walk – April 26
May: Assisted Eagle 99.3 Car Show, MD Walk and VA2K Walk
Beginning of summer concert series – 18 Noontime/4 First Friday
Sponsored Zumba Fitness Block Party
“Pavement” Ground Breaking Ceremony
Kickoff of Downtown Summer Yoga Series
June: Donor Appreciation Party - KARP
Rockin’ the Reunion, 80’s on 8th Street – June 14
Ribbon Cutting: WestSide Stamp & Awards – reopened after fire
2nd Annual TAP THAT topeka – A Capital Brewfest – June 28
July: Assisted Fiesta Parade
Facilitated location for new 712 Innovations Maker Space opening in 2015
August: Facilitated Boys & Girls Club Harley Party
Cruising’ the Capitol Car Show – Aug. 23 (donated portion of proceeds to HHHS)
TouchATruck – Aug. 30
Happily Ever After open bridal store at 112 SW 7th, 2nd Floor
Worked with Parking Division to initiate Yellow Bag (FREE) parking meters during construction
September: Movie on the Lawn – Wreck It Ralph & Honey I Shrunk The Kids and Fun Kids Pre-Movie Activities
Facilitated DART/Dartini Race, Kansas Book Festival, Zombie Walk & Dance & TopCon Comic and Game Convention
Ribbon Cutting for Happily Ever After
Facilitated Downtown Parking Meeting – start of discussions for master plan
New stores open: Ginny’s Gift Shop at 929 S Kansas, Creative Corner Gallery & Gifts at 115 SE 6th
October: DTI 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala – Oct. 6
BOO It Downtown Candy Crawl – Oct. 30
N V Me Fashions opens at 729 S Kansas; Boho Mojo moves to larger space at 631 S Kansas
November: Ribbon Cutting: Boho Mojo’s new location
Tower & Tough Tower Run – Nov. 10
Assisted with Veteran’s Parade – Nov. 10
Marilyn Maye Concert – Nov. 13
Launched SHOP SMALL / Shop Small Business Saturday Campaign
Norman Campaign launched for second year
MKA Parade and Tree Lighting & Partnership for Toys for Tots – Topeka Metro & Marine Reserves
December: Presented BID Summary before City Council
Ribbon Cutting: Cashmere Popcorn Dec.3
Budget for 2015
Events for 2015 – planning
Organizing Sponsorships for 2015
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2014 After Hours Hosts
Jan. – Topeka Ramada
Feb. – Architect One, PA
Mar. – Breakthrough House
April – PC911 of Kansas
May – Kansas Contractors Association
June – Dynamic Computer
July – ISG Technology
August – Cumulus Broadcasting
Advertising:
Weekly E-Newsletter
Topeka Magazine
TPAC Playbill
Info Touch @ Parrish Hotels
Topeka Visitor’s Guide
Events at TCJ / WIBW tv13 / Cumulus stations
Radio/TV/Newspaper interviews
Topeka Relocation Guide
Maintain website
Movie Slide in pre-roll
Commercial spots for events – all media
2014 New Members: (27)
Key Staffing – January
Tom & Lisa Stubbs – January
Bryan, Lykins, Hejtmanek & Fincher, PA – January
Topeka Tourism Alliance – February
Steve & Derie Briman – February
New York Life Insurance, Rick Friedstrom – March
ACTION Coach – March
Sept. – HTK Architects, PA
Oct. – Equity Bank
Nov. – Westside Stamp
Dec. – Trail Market & Gallery
Country Legends 106.9 – March
Trails Market & Gallery – March
Governor’s Row House – April
KSNT27, KTKA49, KTMJ43 – April
Daylight Donuts – April
TopCity Soda Pop – May
ServiceMaster Restoration – May
Juli’s Coffee & Bistro – May
Midwest Coating – May
Life Leadership – May
KVC Kansas – July
CFS Engineers – July
The Computer Store – August
Creative Corners Gallery & Gifts – September
College Hill Plumbing – September
Happily Ever After – September
Edward Jones, Aaron Starr – October
Helen Crow – October
Fabtastic Furniture – November
Cashmere Popcorn - November
Ongoing Projects:
Volunteer Registry
Vendor Ordinance
Downtown Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) for residents
Development of Historic District
Supporting Fundraising efforts of Imagine Downtown Fundraising Committee
Supporting Enhancement Design Team of Redevelopment Project
Provide Services, as contracted, to the Capital Business Improvement District (BID)
- Distributed newsletter
Provide Services, as contracted, to the Downtown Topeka Foundation
Recruitment of Business to downtown district
Conduct Retail/Dining/Entertainment Meeting monthly (1st Wednesday each month 5:30pm)
Organize After Hours Networking Socials monthly (2nd Thursday each month 4:30pm to 6pm)
Provide assistance to potential property buyers and lessees
Serve as office for Riverfront Authority Board
Polk Quincy Viaduct Steering Committee
Community Involvement:
Rotary Club
Housing & Credit Counseling, Inc. Board
Tourism Alliance
Sunflower State Games Board
Visit Topeka, Inc. Board
Junior Achievement Board
Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods – Built Environment Committee
Downtown Advertising Cooperative Association
Heartland Visioning
Steering Committee
Top of the Tower Board
20 under 40 Committee
2015 Calendar of DTI Hosted Events:
Sat., April 18 – Bridge2Bridge 5K Run/Walk – 9am check-in
Fri., May 1 – First Friday Concert Series #1 – 5:30pm until midnight
Wed., May 13 – Kickoff Wednesday for Noontime Brownbag Concert Series – 11am to 1pm.
(Every Wednesday lunchtime through August 26)
Fri., June 5 - First Friday Concert Series #2 – 5:30pm until midnight
Sat., June 27 – TAP THAT Topeka: A Capital Brew Festival – all day
Fri., July 3- First Friday Concert Series #3 – 5:30pm until midnight
Sat., August 1 – Cruisin’ the Capitol Car Show & Movie – afternoon and evening
Fri., August 7 - First Friday Concert Series #4 – 5:30pm until midnight
Sat., Sept. 5 – TouchATruck – morning into afternoon
Sat., Sept. 19 – Movie on the Capitol Lawn – 7pm “The Sandlot” + pre-movie fun
Sat., Oct. 3 – Movie on the Capitol Lawn – 7pm “LEGOS Movie” + pre-movie fun
Thurs., Oct. 29 – BOO It Downtown Candy Crawl – 5:30pm to 7pm
Sat., Nov. 7 – Tower & TOUGH Tower Run – 8am check-in
Sat., Nov. 28 – Miracle on Kansas Avenue Activities
Rescue Run 5pm; Tree Lighting 5:30pm; MKA Parade 6pm
Not scheduled yet: Downtown Jazz Festival – Jazzin’ It Up Downtown