13 Fourth Street South Central City, Iowa 52214
A Volunteer-Driven Program of Downtown Revitalization
Central City Mainstreet Volunteers
Board of Directors
- Chuck Meeker - President
- Del Boldt - Vice President
- Denise Levenhagen - Secretary/Treasurer
- John Fank
- Nancy Goodlove
- Jane McConaughy
- LaNeil McFadden
- Ruthanne Weighton
The Board of Directors meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 5:30 pm in the City Chambers in City Hall.
Program Director
- Julie Renberg was named Mainstreet Program Director in the Fall of 2009.
Committees
Organization Committee
Meetings are held the 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm in the City Chambers in City Hall.
To join this committee, call LaNeil McFadden at 438-1286.
About the Organization Committee
The Organization Committee's primary focus is to gather, utilize and retain volunteers while securing the funding involved for the program. They are also responsible for communicating to the community through their quarterly newsletters.
To be successful, a local program must organize many different public and private sectors of the community to unite for the common goal of a better downtown. Groups and individuals typically involved in Main Street programs include business people, merchants, property owners, local government, financial institutions, industry, clergy, schools, residents and civic groups. Building the organization’s capacity with enough people, funds and local enthusiasm to implement the program is critical to successful downtown revitalization.
If you are the type of person who loves a challenge, is not afraid to share your thoughts and ideas, understands the importance of financial security for the Mainstreet Program, the Organization Committee would love to have you!
Promotions Committee
Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 5:00 pm at the Mainstreet office.
To join this committee, call Jara Pavlis at 438-1713 or 551-8499.
About the Promotions Committee
A primary concern of the Promotions Committee is our city’s image. It is vital for Central City to present a positive impression of the total community: appearance, businesses, organizations, and school.
The Promotions Committee has multiple responsibilities. It develops strategies, schedules special events, surveys the business community, encourages tourism, and evaluates activities.
A business coupon book, the summer-long Farmers’ Market and Fall Shopping Extravaganza are some activities sponsored by the Promotion Committee.
The livelihood of Central City is dependent upon its image. Promoting and marketing our community can attract visitors, customers, and investors and increase economic viability. Above all else, the Promotion Committee encourages everyone to appreciate the community and to shop locally. You’ll be amazed what Central City has to offer.
If you are creative, enjoy working with the public and have a sense of adventure, we’re always looking for new ideas and willing workers.
Design Committee
Meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of the month at 4:30 pm at Montana's Restaurant in Central City.
To join this committee, call Nancy Goodlove at 438-1321.
About the Design Committee
The goal for the Central City Mainstreet Design Committee is to simply encourage the improvement of our downtown’s physical appearance. But the actual implementation of this goal is much more involved. Historic preservation, photo inventories, building information inventories, public improvements, design education and awareness, and window displays are some of the specific areas on which this group strives to focus.
Throughout the year, the Design Committee is the group who keeps the pocket garden on Main Street and the flower boxes on the bridge looking beautiful to passers-by. Presenting the Pride of Place Award, keeping the display case at the Falcon Center filled with current community improvement activities, organizing the spring and fall Town Clean-Ups and masterminding the town-wide Yard Art Contest and Garden of the Month Award are just a few of the many projects that this group of volunteers manages.
Another item on the Design Committee’s drawing board is putting together an educational booklet featuring the historical architecture that Central City has in its buildings.
If you enjoy the outdoors, have a creative streak, enjoy history and historical architecture or have an eye for beauty, they’re always looking for go-getters and fun-lovers.
Business Improvement Committee
A lunch meeting is held the 3rd Monday of the month at Noon in the City Chambers in City Hall.
To join this committee, E-Mail Eric Heims.
About the Business Improvement Committee
The goal for all Mainstreet Business Improvement Committees is to strengthen and broaden the economic base of the community. But in a town the size of Central City, strengthening the downtown means strengthening the entire community. This committee understands the importance of the community and the downtown working together in harmony.
Through the Main Street program, this committee works with the community to retain existing businesses, identify current market strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, and tries to address those opportunities through expansion of existing business or recruitment of new business to the community.
The Business Improvement committee is responsible for managing the downtown building inventory (in cooperation with the Design committee), publishing the business directory, conducting market analysis surveys and developing incentive packages using available grants, low-interest loans, and state or local government incentives – just to name a few....
If you are a detail person, a numbers person, a business-minded person, or just someone who is sincerely interested in the direction that Central City is headed, this committee currently has openings and would love to have your help!
Awards
Denise Levenhagen Named Central City Mainstreet 2008
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to Denise Levenhagen on being selected Central City Mainstreet 2008 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Denise was recognized at the Mainstreet Iowa Awards Celebration on April 17th in Des Moines.
Pictured to the right is Denise being presented her Volunteer of the Year Award in Des Moines by Michael Tramontina, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development (left) and Thom Guzman, director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center.
Denise has been an active member of the Mainstreet Organization since its inception. She was a member of the Design Committee for one year and has been on the Organization Committee for the last eight years. Denise has also served as Secretary/Treasurer on the Central City Mainstreet Board of Directors for the last four years and was just re-elected for another four year term. She is also recognized for her efforts on the 2008 pledge drive, leadership role as an office on the Board of Directors, the fresh ideas she brings to the Board and Organization Committee and her overall tireless devotion to the work of Central City Mainstreet.