Forward Janesville - TheReport - Fourth Quarter 2018

Passion, energy, and excitement for the vision of ARISE and the ARISE Now led projects have never been as elevated. over the summer months, downtown janesville was bustling with construction zones, community events, new business launches, and continued conversations about the future of the heart of our community. It has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the momentum and movement that is happening right here. It is a steadfast belief that now is janesville’s time. Time for a transformation that will make our downtown a dynamic and vibrant place. Partnerships are thriving, open and transparent communication is happening, and projects are moving forward. Folks from the city of janesville, Downtown janesville Inc., the janesville Performing Arts center, and Forward janesville are all at the table, working together for you. A small glimpse of some of the great progress being made by many of our community partners to activate downtown spaces have included: • The first public art piece, the Kaleidoscope Planter , was installed in Town Square in july. • The Outdoor Fitness Center on the corner of court Street and River Street was dedicated in early summer. • N1 Critical relocated downtown with a beautiful renovation of the old Red cross Building. • The JP Cullen Memorial Pavilion and the Interactive Water Feature were officially dedicated on September 12, 2018. A delighted crowd enjoyed live music and food trucks while celebrating the first of many events in the Town Square. • Velvet & Tulle ; a downtown boutique located on milwaukee Street, extended their hours and celebrated in may with a ribbon cutting. • Downtown janesville Inc. hosted a spring and fall Wine Walk and sold out each time! A trolley graced our downtown streets as attendees had a great time. • janesville was host to the Town Square Gran Prix Bike Race , a part of the Tour of America’s Dairyland. organizers hit a home run by bringing this fresh event to janesville and downtown. Planning for 2019 is already underway. • DjI’s monthly “On Top of Downtown” brought in regular crowds of more than 200 by mixing great music, drinks, and socializing in the community. • Music at the Marv’s weekly attendance of 250-plus was a great opportunity to test the “block party” by closing main Street to traffic and offering food/beverages. • The first “608” Day was held on june 8, 2018. Businesses partnered to offer specials, yoga classes, and fun-focused on the downtown. Plans for 2019 are to create a signature event that will become an annual downtown community get together. • Cobblestone Hotel broke ground and is under construction right in the heart of downtown. • River Street is currently being converted into Festival Street , with a scheduled “Fun on Festival Street” celebration planned for this october 26. • The Doty Street Alley Project is moving along with a janesville postcard-type mural by Artist jim Richter, set to begin this fall. Great ideas forge great followers and we are fortunate to have a community of supporters that are embracing the vision and excitement for our downtown’s future. we need all of our investors to be a part of this bold vision for downtown janesville's long-term future. By making a monetary contribution to support the ARISE Now projects, you will help make this vision a reality for our community. 14 JoLynn Burden • Director of Development & Community Engagement, ARISE Now • AriseNow@forwardjanesville.com we are all investors in our downtown. If you live in janesville, visit janesville, work in janesville or even the Rock county area, you are an “investor.” No investment is too large or too small. Pledge commitments can be made over a five-year window ($500 for five years = $2,500 commitment). Visit www.janesvillearise.com for a pledge form or to make an online tax-deductible contribution to ARISE Now. Create your own legacy by being a community champion and stating “I am IN.” www . j A N E S V I l l E A R I S E . c o m