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Sioux City Unveils Cultural District
Lt.
Governor Sally Pederson and Department of Cultural Affairs Director Anita Walker
met with government and community leaders at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux City
March 7 to certify the Sioux City Cultural and Entertainment District.
The district, one of 21 certified in 17 Iowa communities during the past two years
by DCA, encourages city and county governments to partner with local community
organizations, businesses and individuals to enhance the quality of life for Iowans.
With certification of the district, Sioux City and the state have completed the
first task in their Great Places agreement.
The Sioux City CED is located primarily in the city’s downtown area, which includes a strong employment base in government, medicine, banking and business. The CED includes the Tyson Events Center, Longlines Family Recreation Center, Orpheum Theatre, Sioux City Public Library, Convention Center, Fourth Street Historic District and the future home of the Sioux City Public Museum. In addition, there are 29 restaurants, 250 apartments, three hotels, public arts projects, monuments and public spaces.
CED certification allows Sioux City to market cultural opportunities effectively and aggressively, and work to create synergies and build cooperation between different groups and businesses to promote events.
Certification of the Sioux City CED is unique because it is being done outside the regular CED process as part of the Great Places initiative. Last October, the Great Places Citizen Advisory Board identified Sioux City as one of the three pilot Great Places. Certifying the Sioux City district was part of Sioux City’s Great Places vision.
Other communities with certified CEDs include Ames, Cedar Falls, Charles City, Cherokee, Clinton, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fairfield, Iowa City, Keokuk, Marion, Mason City, Muscatine, Spencer and Waterloo.
Applications for next year’s CED certifications are due September 1,
2006. For more information, contact Jack Porter at 515.242.6152 or jack.porter@iowa.gov
or visit www.culturalaffairs.org.
