CollaborationsWe collaborate with the City of La Crosse, Downtown Neighborhood Association, La Crosse County, The La Crosse City Vision Foundation, Rotary of La Crosse, La Crosse Arts Board, Pump House Regional Arts Center, Explore La Crosse, UWL, Viterbo, Western, YMCA, BikeFed, all in support of downtown community events and initiatives.

ORGANIZATION +MEMBERSHIP

The Four Point Approach

PROMOTIONS + SPECIAL EVENTS

AccomplishmentsDaily and weekly downtown clean-up includes picking up cigarettes, litter, sweeping side-walks, and pulling weeds. New cigarette recep-tacles and recycle trash bins are on order.

The Adopt-a-Planter program beautifies the city with over 95 floral planters each year. Reduction of our pigeon population by 90% in collaboration with the City of La Crosse.

Strong partnership with the Downtown Neigh-borhood Resource Officers to build safety.

The La Crosse City Vision Foundation Safe-Camprogram has expanded and continues to be an effective tool in solving crimes. The Founda-tion will add snowflakes to the annual wreath project to beautiful the winter season.

Our Parking Workgroup advocates for parking solutions and increased parking management with the City of La Crosse.

The “Elevate” downtown facade grant pro-gram in partnership with the City of La Crosse has approved over $350,000 in facade grants. Over 25 grant applications have leveraged over 18 million in downtown investments. Creating 50 times the impact of money spent.

Two new large city murals and a mural alley bringing together 16 local artists are creating an arts movement in downtown.

Building ImprovementsArentz Garage, Big Al’s, Bodega, Cannabiz Depot, Carlie’s, Children’s Museum, Citizen’s State Bank, City Square, Creative Canvas, Driftless Arcade, Eagles Club, Earl’s, Gunder-sen Dental, Hub on 6th, Jacobs Building, La crosse Distilling Co., Landmark by the Rivers, Le Chateau Bakery, LHI, Marine Credit Union, Mario’s, Monet Floral, Newburg, Old Fellows, Pearl Street West, People’s Food Co-op, Powell Place, Rueter Mader, Schilling Block, Thill & Lapitz, Western Veterans Center, Wettstein Electric, Wiggert Building, and more!

AccomplishmentsOur Pop-up Shop program collaboration with Coulee Cap, La Crosse County and WEDC brought new shops to downtown this year with new businesses opening soon. Our Ignite and Accelerate programs have been funded to support entrepreneurship.

Winter and Nightime advocacy work groups look to strengthen our vitality with diverse, multigenerational and all season activities.

Advocacy for the La Crosse Center project. Collaborations on a historical musuem, public market, transient docks and a new Middle High School in downtown, La Crosse.

New Businesses and ExpansionsAsian Sunny Massage, Back in Action Chiro-practic, Backwaters Grill, Big Al’s, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Burger Fusion, Cannabiz Depot, Driftless Arcade, Driftless Axe, EMG Imprint, E-Spa, Gerhards Lighting, Gundersen Dental, Healthy Hut, La Crosse Distilling Co., Landmark by the Rivers, Las Margarita’s, Mario’s Chicago Beef, Polite Barber Shop, Posh Fit, Prarie La Crosse, Rivoli Café, Shady Kate’s, Schuby’s, The Pearl Confectionary, Unique Boutique.

Major DevelopmentsThis past year we saw the completion of The Hub on Sixth, with 95 residential units, 18 con-dominiums, and first floor retail space. La Crosse Distilling Co. opened last fall, and Gundersen Health System developed the previous Wettstien building for a new downtown dental center.

Landmark by the Rivers, a historic mixed-use redevelopment with 64 loft-styled apartments and 65,000 square ft. of retail, restaurant, and office space recently held it’s grand opening.

Goals for 2020Placemaking events that bring community together, support our local businesses, and strenghthen our cultural diversity.

Updated website, new maps and the creation of a downtown app to strengthen the visitor experience and community engagement.

Goals for 2020Advocate for and increase engagement with downtown property owners, businesses, and residents in the downtown neighborhoods.

Strengthen our impact in the community through collaboration with our public, private and synergy partners.

People PowerLogged 6,900 Volunteer Hours for a value of over

$175,000

Goals for 2020Completing physical enhancements projects to better the downtown environment, the preservation of our historic buildings.

Inspire and support the visual and performing arts to strengthen our cultural diversity and enhance tourism and community engagement.

Goals for 2020To engage all stakeholders in the process of the City Vision 2040 Downtown Master Plan-Our downtown vision for the next 20 years.

Identify future challenges and find solutions and initiatives to support our businesses to prosper and be successful.

Accomplishments We rebranded this year with a dynamic new logo and branded images for all of our events and initiatives. This updated brand more deeply reflects the energy, joy, and vitality of our community. Our exciting new tagline: “Live Mighty” represents the authenticity, strength, vibe and energy of life in historic downtown on the Mighty Mississippi!

150 NEW BUSINESSES HAVE OPENED SINCE 2013 IN DOWNTOWN LA CROSSE

Quick FactsNumber of Businesses 600Number of Buildings 316Number of Storefronts 282Number of Vacant Storefronts 20% of Vacant Storefronts 7%

$58 million in Private Investment

$26 million in Public Investment

in the past 2 years

$500 million Total in the past 5 years

1600 RESIDENTIAL UNITSWITH MORE BEING PLANNED FOR 2020

AccomplishmentsAs an active member of Wisconsin Main Street, we attend workshops and training sessions to learn best practices and network with other communities. This year we had highest totals in private investment, residen-tial growth, new business growth, jobs, event attendance, and volunteer hours out of all the Wisconsin Main Street commmunities.

Our monthly “Coffee Connections” met to discuss: Public Safety, Parking Management, Transportation, Succession Planning, Facade Design, Sustainability, Ageing Population, Family Friendly Experiences, Maximizing Events, New Branding and Open Forums.Our branding sessions engaged over 85 stakeholders during four sessions.

Our four standing committees grew and created workgroups focusing on our newly defined strategic goals. We saw improved impact on our projects and initiatives. We held several member focus groups.

We had strong collaborations with the new Downtown Neighborhood Association, sharing strategic planning and working together on Downtown Clean-up Days, National Night Out, and other initiatives.

CollaborationsWe work with our synergy partners;Explore La Crosse, La Crosse Chamber of Commerce, LADCO, and 7 Rivers Alliance on advocacy and community initiatives that bring strength to our entire region.

DESIGN + BEAUTIFICATION

ECONOMIC VITALITY

20 New BusinessesLaunched this year!2018-2019

7.2K CAPTIVE AUDIENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND GROWING!

7500 E - N E W S L E T T E R S U B S C R I B E R S65 Newsletter Communications + Notices with a 35% open rate.

CORNERSTONE MEMBERS

Addis Law OfficeAuthenticomAzaraBrothers of WisconsinCitizens State BankDavy EngineeringDBS GroupDuluth Trading CompanyFowler & HammerFox 25/48Hawkins, Ash, CPA’sHoliday Inn and SuitesHome 2 Suites by Hilton

Mayo Clinic Health SystemPeople’s Food Co-opState Bank Financial

La Crosse Media GroupMerchants BankMichaels EnergyNorthside DevelopmentPepsi Cola of La CrossePiggy’sRadisson HotelRLR PropertiesThe Insurance CenterUS BankWipfli, LLPWKBT News 8WXOW TV 19

Altra Federal Credit UnionBrickl BrothersCD Smith ConstructionCoulee BankDahl AutomotiveDairyland PowerDoerflinger’s Second CenturyFairfield by MarriottFayze’sFestival FoodsGenslerHowes Diamond JewelersISGKaplanMarket and Johnson

Metre AgencyMidwest Family BroadcastingO’Flaherty LawPoellinger, Inc.River ArchitectsRiver BankStansfield VendingThe Charmant HotelThe Waterfront RestaurantThe Wedding Tree Three Sixty Real EstateTrust PointVerve, A Credit UnionViterbo UniversityXcel Energy

Fannin Counseling & Art TherapyFat Porcupine Noodle BarFinnottes Nut and Chocolate ShopFull Circle SupplyGallery La Crosse Artists Cooperative Games People PlayGerhard’s Kitchen & Bath StoreGerrard-HoeschlerGovernmental Employees Credit UnionGrandStay Hotel & SuitesGrandview Plaza ApartmentsGreat River Popcorn & Ice CreamGrounded Patio CaféH&R BlockHampton Inn and SuitesHandmade Natural Beauty BoutiqueHanson & AssociatesHome FederalHSR Associates, Inc.Johnson Block and Company, Inc.Jordana Snyder PhotographyJules CoffeehouseKellogg Investments King Street KitchenKitchen Solvers Inc.Knight Barry TitleKraus Anderson- First PropertiesKroner HardwareLa Crosse Area Chamber of CommerceLa Crosse Area Development CorporationLa Crosse Area Family YMCALa Crosse CenterLa Crosse Community TheatreLa Crosse County Historical SocietyLa Crosse Distilling Co.La Crosse Escape Room La Crosse LoggersLa Crosse Masonic CenterLa Crosse Public LibraryLa Crosse Queen CruisesLa Crosse Segway ToursLa Crosse Symphony OrchestraLa Crosse TribuneLamar Outdoor Advertising

Sherwin-Williams La CrosseSilver Hide OutSmith’s Bike ShopState Farm Insurance- Kyle Visker AgencyStifelSubway Sandwiches DowntownT.J. CheddarheadsTavern League of La Crosse CountyThat Foreign PlaceThe Artisan Preservation CompanyThe BLÜ GroupThe Board StoreThe Breakfast Club & PubThe Buzz on MainThe Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ ConnectionThe Court Above MainThe Craft and Vendor MarketplaceThe CrowThe Driftless AxeThe Good Fight ClubThe Great Escape of La CrosseThe Healthy Hut LLCThe Hive - Point West InvestmentsThe La Crosse Club The PearlThe Toy ShopThe Twisted MooseThe WarehouseThe Yoga PlaceTlustosch Law OfficeTouch of ClassTreasure’s on MainTrim DesignTurtle Stack BreweryUnique BoutiqueUnwound, LLCUPS StoreVendi AdvertisingWarren Loveland Real EstateWaxing the CityWeddings By NancyWettstein Brothers Electric, Inc.Wieser Brothers General ContractorsWillow Boutique

City of La CrosseAssociated Bank

CenturyLinkGundersen Health System

KEYSTONE INVESTORS$500.00 or more

LAMPLIGHT INVESTORS$1000.00 or more

“The mission of Downtown Mainstreet, Inc. is to ensure ongoing economic development while cultivating a revitalized downtown”

The location of our downtown, bordered to West and East with the most gorgeous landmarks in our region, seems to naturally lend itself to growth, progress, and promotion.

But, it is more than just our location that makes our particular downtown so stunning.It is the group of people – residents, visitors, advocates, business owners, and employees- that pour energy into our downtown. As a vessel for projects and advocacy for our downtown, Downtown Mainstreet Inc. has successfully facilitated not only board involve-ment with vital decisions, but also empow-ered committees and workgroups in tangible projects that benefit us all.

The Weber GroupUW-La Crosse Foundation

Wells FargoWestern Technical College

Kwik Trip, Inc.La Crosse County

Logistics Health, Inc.

From signature shopping events and holiday festivities, to downtown cleanup, murals, banner design, facade improvement, launch and pop-up shop programs, the people work-ing hard behind the programs that bring us all together are to be commended. Without the support from our gracious donors and sponsors, the very hard work of Robin and Rachel, and the intense commit-ment from the workgroups that comprise our four committees, DMI would not be able to accomplish such notable developments that make our location a true destination and a vibrant city center.Thank you all, thank you for your valued commitment to downtown. Most of all, thank you for your hard work in making our downtown more than just a location – we are a neighborhood and truly a community in our own right. Kelsey Williams

Executive Director Robin Moses

Board of DirectorsKelsey Williams - President

Fayze’s Restaurant

Deb Lash - Past PresidentThe Wedding Tree

Will Kratt - President ElectISG

Debi McKenney - Treasurer

Jessica Kirchner - SecretaryO’Flaherty Law

Jim Bressi - Kwik Trip

Chris Butler - Verve, A Credit Union

Sandra Earp - Associated Bank

Eric Erickson - Mayo Clinic

Health System

Ward Evanson - Logistics Health

Jesse Fanciulli - CenturyLink

Brian Fukuda - La Crosse County

Julie Henline - Gensler

Dan Howes - Howes Diamond Jewelers

Chris Kahlow - La Crosse City Council

Jennifer Kloehn - The Weber Group

Mary Larson - Full Circle Supply

Jay Lokken - RLR Properties

Greg Reichert - UWL Foundation

StaffRobin Moses - Executive Director

Rachel Persson - Marketing and

Events Coordinator

DOWNTOWNMAINSTREET

500 Main StreetLa Crosse, WI 54601

608.784.0440lacrossedowntown.com

Without the vision and leadership of Downtown Mainstreet, we would not be experiencing the momentum and dramatic growth that we are enjoying today.We have begun the process of the City Vision 2040 Master Plan. Our next steps are to finalize funding and move forward with our project management team and downtown stakeholders. Plan to attend focus groups and community engagement sessions to share your ideas and discuss our challenges. We are currently experi-encing dramatic changes in the world of retail across the nation and we are facing the most challenging demands on work-force. As a community we must pull to-gether the most knowledgeable experts, valuable resources and our strongest com-munity leaders to direct and cast the vision for the next 20 years.

Downtown La Crosse is the economic driver for our community, and the center for our region. It is the strongest base of em-ployment, investment value and sales tax revenue in La Crosse County.

LANDMARK INVESTORS$3000.00 or more

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS “Our vision is to promote a vibrant downtown that enriches our businesses, embraces our history, celebrates our culture, and captures the spirit of our

community while enhancing the vitality of our entire region.”

DOWNTOWN MAINSTREET, INC.

Board President Kelsey Williams

2018 Annual Report 2019

#LiveMightyLAX Robin Moses

Downtown is often the first impression of our city, a center for tourism, and has become the central social district of our community. It is the place where our community gathers.Today we have realized many of the goals set forth in the original City Vision 2000 Downtown Master Plan, adopted in 1992 and the updated 2020 Downtown Master Plan. The current success of our down-town can be traced directly to these plans.

4 Sisters Wine and Tapas Lounge4th Street Bar and Catering 7 Rivers AllianceAdvisors Management Group Inc.Agropur AMEC Home LoansAntique Center of La CrosseBennett O’Riley’sBig Brothers Big SistersBMA Property Management, LLCBodega Brew PubBorton Construction, Inc.Brad Frahm PropertiesBridges United Methodist ChurchBurger Fusion Company Buzzard Billy’s and Starlite LoungeCabin Coffee Co.Cameron Park Farmer’s MarketCargill Pettibone Bed & Breakfast Catering and Wedding Day DesignChildren’s Museum of La CrosseChris La Shorne ArchitectureChristos TavernaCindy Gerke & Associates, Inc.Cleary Management CorporationColdwell Banker--River Valley RealtorsCoulee Region Communications Courtyard by Marriott Cowgill DentalCreative Canvas and BoardsCredit Bureau Data Inc.Crescent JewelersDale’s Clothing for Men and WomenDel’s BarDesigning JewelersDigger’s StingDigiSage, Inc.Drift MercantileDublin Square Irish Pub & EateryE Spa and Tlyn Makeup StudioElevate MediaEMG ImprintsExplore La Crosse Express Printing

Las MargaritasLe ChateauLeithold MusicLindy’s SubsLovechildMarine Credit UnionMarkos ApparelMasrud - Mc Guire LLCMetropolitan Salon & Day SpaMississippi Welders Supply CompanyMonet Flowers & GiftsMorrison & Associates, CPA’sNoelke’sNorth La Crosse Business AssociationOktoberfestOn Three PrintingOrange Pearl Salon, Inc.Painted PorchPasse Law Office, LLCPearl Street BooksPearl Street Brewery Pettibone Boat Club, La CrossePickerman’s Soup & SandwichesPizza AmorePizza DoctorsPleasures “A Lover’s Boutique” Prairie La CrossePMC Management GroupPosh-Fit StudioPrairie La CrossePump House Regional Arts CenterReyes HoldingsRiver City Gold & SilverRiver City HobbiesRiver Rocks CoffeeRiver Travel MediaRiverside Corporate WellnessRobertson and RyanRocky RococoRose JewelersRotary Lights, Inc.Roush RentalsSatori ArtsShady Kate’s

Carla Callies, Brian Carroll, James Cherf, Earlamae Dahlby, Dan Gelatt, Mary Ann Gschwind, Audrey Kader, Scott Koenen, Michael Mader, Robin Moses, Wayne Oliver, Todd and Deb Ondell, Roger Roslansky, Joanna Salis, Fred and Deb Wakeen, Bill Weber, TGAAR LLC, Dan Wettstein, John Wettstein