Summer 2010 Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Something New

Under the Sun Summertime has brought the flurry of activity that is linked to agreeable weather and Inside this Issue: endless hours of sunshine. Downtown in particular has been changed for the better because of a myriad of improvements and new construction. A bridge, a huge , an Something New...... 1 antler arch, new retail and the emergence of an art all reveal the promise and the potential of good times to come for our downtown. First Friday Downtown...... 2 There is truly a fantastic assortment of new additions and renovations downtown. 2010 Members...... 3 Glow Putt Miniature Golf moved outside with a brilliant new Alaska-themed miniature golf course on Sadler‘s parking lot. David Whitmore, Architect, has added a beautiful Retail, Retail, Retail...... 4-7 round window and colorful mural to the side of his Third Avenue building. Ten talented have come together to form an art cooperative in the historic Co-Op building on Support for Security...... 6 Second Avenue. In The Bag!, an attractive new retailer featuring gently used clothing and fantastic hand bags has infused new life into the Northward building. Connie’s, a Midnight Sun Sponsors.....8 beautiful new designer shop with name brand clothing, purses and perfumes has opened on 1010 Cushman Street. The Department of Transportation is constructing a new bridge over the Chena. And Big Ray’s has brought fly fishing to our downtown fish pond Board of Directors: via a new fly fishing shop. All great new things under our extraordinary summer sun.

Gary Conaster President

Ken Henry Vice President

Peter Beaver Treasurer

Nelson Traverso Secretary

Georjean Seeliger

Scott Wilkes

Cindy Schumaker

Frank Eagle

Buzzy Chiu

Bart LeBon

Charles Bettisworth

Be a part of the Probably the most remarkable addition to our downtown is the Antler Arch near the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. At the start (or the end, depending on excitement! which way you are heading) of the Chena Riverwalk, this striking arch with moose and Join the Downtown caribou antlers donated by villages and individuals from all over our great state, is Association of quintessentially Alaskan and is sure to become an icon for downtown Fairbanks. The Fairbanks today. consummate work of Sandy Jamieson brought this Downtown Association of Fairbanks and Morris Thompson Center joint project to fruition. Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Page 2

Is your company bulletin board looking a little parched for excitement these days? Then put up one of our vibrant First Friday Downtown posters! If you are hosting a First Friday Downtown or are an participating in First Friday Downtown, call Kara Nash at 452-8665 so she can include you on our 11‖ by 17‖ inch colorful posters and on our website. Or, if your business would like to display the posters, let us know and we will distribute to your establishment. Over the past year we have had ten to fifteen venues participating in First Friday Downtown on a regular basis. Please support ~ Display the poster and attend First Friday Downtown every month!

Benefits of Zoning

Zoning is a revitalization tool. Creating new zone types can encourage investment in the downtown core by assuring potential business owners that the ground level will be devoted to activities that will complement a retail or commercial use typical of an urban environment, which is highly dependent on foot traffic at the ground floor. The use of the ground level for retail activities is linked to successful business establishments and economically healthy, active downtowns. Additionally, the continuous use of ground floors for retail activities can increases property values. Borough Ordinance 2010-09 contains two new zone types to create revitalization tools. The ordinance will come before the Borough Assembly sometime this fall.

This Member Spotlight ran in the Downtowner, News-Miner and on our website in July. Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Page 3

3 B EARS B ED AND B REAKFAST

5 TH AVENUE D ESIGN & G RAPHICS, INC.

907GROUP I NFORMATION I NSIGHTS, INC. A B ED AND B REAKFAST I NN ON M INNIEINNIE S TREET I NNER K NIT ADVANCE P RINTING C O., INC. I NTERIOR ALASKA F ISHISH P ROCESSORS, INC. AH, ROSE M ARIE B ED & B REAKFAST I NTERIOR G RAPHICS & P RINTING AIRLINKIRLINK S HUTTLE & T OURS JL P ROPERTIES, INC. ALASKA H ERITAGE H OUSE K ENNETH A M URRAY I NSURANCE, INC. ALASKA P UBLIC L ANDS I NFORMATION C ENTER K OHLER, SCHMITT & H UTCHISON ALASKA R AG C OMPANY L64 D ESIGN LTD. ALASKA S ALMON B AKE L’ ASSIETTE DE P OMEGRANATE ALASKAN G OLD R USH F INEINE J EWELRY L AVELLE’ S B ISTROISTRO ALL S EASONS B ED AND B REAKFAST I NN L AW O FFICE OF N ELSON T RAVERSO AMERICAN T IREIRE & AUTO L ORETTA ANN I NN ARCTIC T RAVELERS G IFTIFT S HOP M AC F EDERAL C REDIT U NION AURORA E NERGY, LLC M ARSHALL ARTS D ESIGN B AHN T HAI M CC AFFERTY’ S, A C OFFEE H OUSE, ETC. B EADS AND T HINGS M ECCA B AR B ETTISWORTH N ORTH ARCHITECTS AND P LANNERS, INC. M ETAL M ASTERY S TEEL ART & D ESIGN B IGIG D ADDY’ S B AR-B-Q M IDNITEIDNITE M INEINE B IGIG I PUB & L OUNGE M OCHA D AN’ S C AFE B IGIG R AY’ S M ORRIS T HOMPSON C ULTURAL AND V ISITORSISITORS C ENTER B OBBY’ S D OWNTOWN M T. MCK INLEYINLEY B ANK B RIDGEWATER H OTEL M USIC R OOM C&A D ISTRIBUTORSISTRIBUTORS N EW Y ORK L IFEIFE C ALYPSO F ARM & E COLOGY C ENTER N ORTHRIM B ANK C ARLSON C ENTER P AW S FOR ADVENTURE S LED D OG T OURS C HARTREUSE P HOTOS YMPHONY P RODUCTIONS C HATANIKA L ODGE P IKEIKE’ S W ATERFRONT L ODGE C HEZ W ORLD C OOKING S CHOOL P UMP H OUSE R ESTAURANT & S ALOON C OOK & H AUGEBERG, LLC R ED C OUCH D ANCE T HEATRE F AIRBANKS R EGENCY F AIRBANKS H OTEL D AVID A W HITMORE, ARCHITECT R ENT- A-W RECK D ENALI S TATE B ANK R IVERIVER C ITYITY C AFE & E SPRESSO D ENNY’ S OF ALASKA R IVERIVER C ITYITY I NVESTMENTS, LLC D ICKICK R ANDOLPH I NSURANCE AGENCY, INC. R ON’ S S ERVICE & T OWING I NC. E AGLIN L AW O FFICE R URAL ALASKA I NSURANCE AGENCY, INC. E BONY & I VORY S S ALON & S TUDIO E LEGANT M EMORIES ANTIQUES S ADLER’ S H OME F URNISHINGS F AIRBANKS B ED & B REAKFAST S ANTA’ S V AGABOND T RAVEL F AIRBANKS C OMMUNITY M USEUM S OAPY S MITH’ S P IONEERIONEER R ESTAURANT F AIRBANKS C ONVENTION & V ISITORSISITORS B UREAU S UNRISE B AGEL & E SPRESSO F AIRBANKS I CE M USEUM S UZANNE W AUGAMAN F AIRBANKS M EMORIAL H OSPITAL & D ENALI C ENTER T HE ALASKA H OUSE ART G ALLERY F AIRBANKS P ADDLE & P EDAL T HE C AT’ S M EOW F AIRBANKS P ARKING AUTHORITY T HE C RAFT M ARKET F AIRBANKS S HAKESPEARE T HEATRE T HE D INERINER F AIRBANKS T ITLEITLE AGENCY T HE F UDGE P OT F AIRBANKS U RGENT C ARE C ENTER T HE F UR F ACTORY F ESTIVAL F AIRBANKS T HE K NOTTY S HOP F IRSTIRST N ATIONAL B ANK ALASKA T HE T URTLE C LUB G AMBARDELLA’ S P ASTA B ELLA T OWNE H OUSE M OTEL & S TEWARD APARTMENTS G LOW P UTT ALASKA UAF T ANANA V ALLEY C AMPUS G OLDEN V ALLEY E LECTRIC ASSOCIATION U SIBELLI C OAL M INEINE, INC. G OLDPANNER C HEVRON S ERVICE USKH I NC. G REAT N ORTHWEST, INC. W ALSH, KELLIHER & S HARP, CP A’ S G REATER F AIRBANKS C HAMBER OF C OMMERCE W ELLS F ARGO H OLIDAY I NN E XPRESS W ESTMARK F AIRBANKS H OTEL & C ONFERENCE C ENTER H OPS H ALLMARK W ILLOWILLOW P HYSICAL T HERAPY , LTD. HYDZ Y UKON Q UEST I NTERNATIONAL I F O NLY… A FINE STORE Y UKON T ITLEITLE C OMPANY, INC. Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Page 4

DowntownFairbanks.com, is rich with information about happenings in our great little river city. We have added an event calendar which is growing quickly in popularity, and you can also follow us on Twitter. We routinely post as many topical articles reporting on downtown news as possible. Visitation to our website is on the rise, so make sure you keep us in the loop about what‘s happening, we are here to serve you as the place for downtown news and events. Website traffic is up due in part to the Downtowner, our semi-monthly email full of up-to-date news, sent to over one thousand locals. All of the articles in the Downtowner link directly to our website. Visitors perusing our website can then click through to even more details and photographs on any given topic. In addition, we have created a ‗tag cloud‘, a series of words linking to past and current information on DowntownFairbanks.com. Our ‗tag cloud‘ allows visitors to discover unexpected information on our website, and it also provides an excellent overview of perennial topics particular to downtown Fairbanks. Subscribing to the Downtowner is free and easy! You can simply sign up right from our homepage at DowntownFairbanks.com, or you can contact Kara Nash at 907-452-8665 or [email protected]. In the Bag!

is a vibrant new retail store selling gently used clothes and fantastic handbags. Offering everything from formal gowns, to professional business attire, to kicked-back Alaskan chic, In the Bag! is truly bringing Style, (yes, with a capital S), to downtown. Stop by and find that perfect piece to add to your wardrobe, or if you are starting a professional job, going back to school, or just want to improve your look, let the friendly, knowledgeable, fashion-conscious ladies at In the Bag! assist you with your clothing choices –you won‘t be disappointed. Be sure to visit this dazzling new addition to our downtown, in Suite 102 of the Northward Building. Open 10am to 5pm, Mon - Sat. Phone: 452-1224

This Member Spotlight ran in the Downtowner, News-Miner and on our website in May. Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Page 5 The Attraction of Destination Retail There‘s more to the recent grand opening of Big Ray’s Fly Shop downtown than meets the eye. Here‘s the big picture: When anyone in Fairbanks needs sporting goods, work wear, and now fly fishing gear, they think of downtown. The more retailers located downtown, the more people will make downtown their destination. This is especially true when downtown has large, or otherwise dominate, retailers, such as Big Ray‘s. Destination retail creates spin-off business for retailers of different stripes in the vicinity: once people come downtown for fly fishing gear, they can walk for a coffee, lunch, a book or jewelry. This generates the ‗critical mass‘ and density of retail to which downtown Fairbanks aspires, and of course, destination shopping can also work in the reverse: a lunch-time customer walks into Big Ray’s for boots. The increased activity is good for business, which means it‘s also good for downtown merchants and landowners alike. This also generates long-term benefits for our community as downtown resumes a stronger role in Fairbanks‘ commercial and civic life. An important element critical to the implementation of the Vision Fairbanks Downtown Plan is to attract destination retail downtown—a continuous development that will have positive effect in the local community for generations as families increasingly live, work, play and shop downtown. For more information visit visionfairbanks.com. The Emergence of Co-Op Arts A new artist cooperative adds an exciting element to the art scene in downtown Fairbanks. Braving the recent economic downturn, ten Fairbanks artists have formed a new Fairbanks Artist Co-Operative. Artists include Jim Allan, Patricia Carlson, Philip Carrico, Margaret Donat,

Susie Halfhill and Dubh of Hardluck Studios, Nikki Kinne, Shirley Odsather, Kate Wood, Ann Wood, and Vladimir Zhikhartsev. Media include watercolor, pottery, jewelry, wood- cut prints, baskets, scarves, jewelry, acrylics, and photography. Ken Kokjer, owner of Co-Op Arts, said ―the closing of the three art galleries this past year significantly impacted the professional art community in Fairbanks. Not only do many artists no longer have a place to display their art, the public has lost the opportunity to enjoy the creativity and inspiration of a very talented segment of our community.‖ With support and encouragement from the Co-Op Plaza and the Fairbanks Art League (a new organization under the Fairbanks Arts Association), Co-Op Arts aims to fill a small bit of the gap in the downtown arts scene. Located in Suite 103 of the Co- Op Plaza at 535 Second Avenue, the gallery is open 11am to 7pm, seven days a week throughout the summer, and winter hours are 11am to 7pm, Mon - Sat. Co-Op Arts will be participating in Fairbanks‘ art scene tradition of ―First Fridays‖. They will also be included on the First Friday Downtown posters each month. The gallery‘s grand opening is Friday, September 3, 2010. Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Page 6

3 rd Avenue’s New Mural The attractive, thought-provoking new mural on Third Avenue is definitely more than meets the eye. Architect and philosopher David Whitmore designed his celestial mural to correspond with the angle of light on Summer and Winter Solstices. The yellow band represents the angle of the sun on June 21st, and the low reddish brown band correlates to the angle of the sun on December 21st. One can also see that the new mural captures the movement of the Aurora Borealis as well as the balance and beauty of the ying-yang symbol. Thank you David for beautifying our downtown in a way that embraces the natural world around us as well as the spiritual world within us.

Prime Space Downtown for Office or Retail

Looking for a spot to call your very own? Located on the lower level of the same cool building that is now graced with the This Member Spotlight ran in the Downtowner, News-Miner and on our website in June. captivating mural above, is 1,600 beautiful square feet of prime office or retail space. Support for CSP Phone: 907-452-2339 or go to craigslist.com Thank you Community Service Patrol for more information and photographs. A recent upsurge in financial support is good news for the Community Service Patrol Editor, Designer, Writer, Photographer ...... Amy Geiger (CSP). The CSP received $50,000 in direct Contributing Writer...... David van den Berg operational funding from the City of Photographer, Coordinator ...... Kara Nash Fairbanks in 2010 and a new van from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (whose contribution in the last twelve months totals $104,000). Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Page 7

Connie’s

The tantalizing aroma of designer fragrances like FLOWERBOMB by Viktor Rolf fill the air, and the lavender walls and outstanding displays compliment the beautiful attire at Connie’s, the new, high-end fashion store focusing on name brand clothing, purses and perfumes. The urban chic of Dolce & Gabbana, the elegance of Prada and the trendy skulls and pink flower look made popular by Ed Hardy make shopping at Connie‘s feel like an exciting trip to the big city. Connie, the owner, actually makes that trip to the big city for us Alaskans when she goes shopping for inventory in the trend- setting capitals of fashion-places like Las Vegas, New York City and Los Angeles. This Member Spotlight ran in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner during the month of April. There she buys quality, cutting edge brands like Coach and Channel (along with those Taken together, these are large contributions toward improving the previously mentioned) as well as denim by business climate downtown and addressing the needs of people who L.A. Idol, James Jeans and Not your sometimes cannot care for themselves. Daughters Jeans. Long and short formals, The Fairbanks City Council and Mayor Strle recognize the important wedding gowns and Swarovski jewelry role the CSP plays. Led by Council members Stiver and Eberhart, the complete the inventory in this striking new City Council is closing-in on an ordinance to formalize the City‘s downtown retail space at 1010 Cushman participation with other entities in providing multi-year operational Street. Open 11am to 7pm, Mon - Sat, and support for the CSP. 12pm to 4pm, Sun. Phone: 451-1530 Downtown Association of Fairbanks Newsletter Page 8 Thank you BP, Title Sponsor of the 2010 Midnight Sun Festival & Thank You Stage Sponsor MAC Federal Credit Union We are so grateful to all the businesses for their fantastic support of this spectacular festival.

410 Cushman Street, Fairbanks AK 99701 Denali State Bank (Tel) 907.452.8671 (Fax) 907.457.8859 DowntownFairbanks.com