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ICDD 2026-2036 SSMID Renewal Iowa City Downtown District

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This Friday, June 6th from 5–8 p.m., Downtown Io

This Friday, June 6th from 5–8 p.m., Downtown Iowa City invites you to explore the Summer Gallery Walk, a self-guided evening of local art and community.

More than a dozen businesses will transform into mini galleries, each showcasing a different artist or collection. From watercolor paintings and metal sculptures to comic-style storytelling and whimsical alien ceramics, you’ll find creative surprises and inspiring work around every corner.

Grab a Gallery Walk postcard map at any participating location to guide your evening. Visit at least seven stops, collect a stamp at each one, and you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift card to @iowaartisansgallery! Completed cards can be turned in at any participating venue by the end of the night.

Make a night of it—shop your favorite stores, enjoy dinner downtown, and take in all the art along the way. With the Iowa Arts Festival happening the same weekend, it’s the perfect time to celebrate creativity in Downtown Iowa City.

@akardesignstore @arts_ic_artifactory @blick_iowacity @glassandojewelry @heimiowacity @iowaartisansgallery @prairielightsbooks @p_s_won @villages_iowacity @pentacrest.museums @uistanleymuseum

@shumpeiyamaki @andypblack @studioflameart @justin.scroggins @nancyromalov @allisonfretheimceramics @banannakain @loganfnaylor @davidlucksculpture @jacobsen1881 @goupell @craig.johnson.39982 @tlknox2019

Planning an event is made easy when we work with a

Planning an event is made easy when we work with amazing community partners. @englerttheatre has once again curated this year’s Block Party Main Stage entertainment lineup and we couldn’t be more jazzed. With a high-energy group kicking off the evening and an amazing alternative rock band closing out the night, the Ped Mall is going to be filled with talent, creative flair, and most likely a lot of dancing.

Thank you to our longtime sponsor, iBev, who supports our live stage entertainment. Their help in supporting this event allows us to bring in local and national talent. Read below for the 2025 MAIN STAGE LINEUP!

4:00 - 5:00 PM BYOBrass
6:00 - 7:00 PM La Rosa Noir
8:00 - 9:30 PM HOUNDS

@hounds are an alternative rock band based in Nashville, TN. Utilizing melodies that bury themselves deep in your mind, rich and intricate vocal harmony and a deep love for synth and catchy rhythms. HOUNDS create music that simultaneously acknowledges the past and celebrates the future.

Born & Raised in Chicago, IL. @larosanoir_ is known for their unique blend of surf, post punk, and Latin rhythms, tying them to their cultural heritage. Their debut album, “Arellano,” named after frontwoman Yeshi Regalado’s grandmother’s maiden name, pays tribute to her significant musical influence. With storytelling lyrics inspired by personal experiences, the album explores themes of relationships, loss, and self-discovery, set against a backdrop of dreamy dissonance and fiery punk energy.

@byobrass is a collective of musicians and educators from throughout the state of Iowa. Founded in 2017 by a group of friends and students at the University of Northern Iowa, the band quickly gained a following in the Cedar Falls area. Since relocating to the Des Moines metro in 2021, BYOBrass has taken their show and expanded their audience to the entire state of Iowa and the Midwest. BYOBrass draws inspiration from all across the musical spectrum and uses their influence to create high-energy original music as well as give their take on popular classics. Their live shows and eclectic mix of influences and styles are sure to please audiences of all ages!

See you on the street on June 28th!

What a difference a year makes! Today, we’re cel

What a difference a year makes! Today, we’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Downtown Ambassador Program and the incredible impact this team has had on our community and central business district.

Thanks to their hard work, dedication, and presence, Downtown has never looked better. Just take a look at the numbers from year one. From early mornings to late nights, rain or shine, this team shows up to make Downtown a more welcoming, safe, and clean place for everyone.

A special shoutout to Elsadig Ali, who was named our very first Ambassador of the Year! Elsadig’s positive spirit, reliability, and unwavering commitment to the job have made him a standout teammate. Always arriving on time, always willing to help, and always leading with a smile, he embodies everything the Ambassador Program stands for. Thank you, Elsadig!

👏 Thank you to all of our Downtown Ambassadors and our partners at the @cityofiowacity and @blockbyblock. We’ve made a remarkable difference in just one year, and we can’t wait to see what year two brings!

If you need help downtown, reach the Ambassador team directly by calling or texting 319-318-1041.

The Iowa City Downtown District is excited to anno

The Iowa City Downtown District is excited to announce the renewal process for the Self-Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID), extending from 2026 to 2036.

Since 2012, the ICDD’s SSMID has empowered downtown property and business owners to invest collectively in our district’s vitality, supporting initiatives that keep downtown clean, safe, economically strong, and full of life. From marketing and events to small business support, public art, and the Downtown Ambassadors program, this model has helped make downtown Iowa City the vibrant, welcoming place it is today.

This renewal ensures we can continue delivering essential services and expand strategic efforts in economic development, public space enhancements, and downtown safety. Property owners within the district are invited to participate in the petition process and help shape the future of our downtown.

Learn more about the SSMID renewal, ICDD’s impact, and how to get involved at the link in our bio.

Plus, watch our video for a quick overview of what the SSMID is and why it matters.

Art activities have always found their way into th

Art activities have always found their way into the Block Party programming but this year we’re going all out with a dedicated Art Corner where there will be four unique art activities in one centralized location. Some activities will be geared toward children while others will be open to all ages. We’re excited to welcome The Learning Grove Academy and @lionheartearlylearningic as first-time participants and sponsors of these engaging art experiences. They’ll also be offering an interactive art activity of their own! Both learning centers emphasize play-based learning and are all in on the importance of hands-on experiments, sparking curiosity, and developing social, physical, and emotional skills.

Read on to learn about the unique art activities at this year’s Block Party.

The Learning Grove Academy + @lionheartearlylearningic
🫟Our sponsor will feature Ooblick, a gooey sensory material that pours and feels like a slimy fluid but can become rigid under stress.

@porchlightlit
🎨Join the team from PorchLight Literary Arts Center for a collaborative art making experience at the Image+Word Assembly Line. You give them the first line for a story or poem and they’ll pass it through the line of word-smithing typists and multi-media artists who take your idea and run with it. This collaborative activity is fun for adults and children alike. See what your ideas spark, and take home a one-of-a-kind piece of Iowa City art!

@p_s_won
📬Print your own Downtown Iowa City postcard using letterpress and foil stamping equipment from PS1’s community print studio, the Iowa City Press Co-op!

@icfilmscene
🎭Bring your kids to FilmScene’s Popcorn Magic Fairy Fantasyland tent to make your own mini-movie with an incredible backdrop commissioned by a local artist, fun theatrical props and customizable clapboard sheets that can be taken home.

Legacy Business Month may be over, but the appreci

Legacy Business Month may be over, but the appreciation is just getting started.

All month long, we honored the downtown staples that have stood the test of time—fueling our cravings, styling our closets, decorating our homes, pouring our drinks, and becoming part of our personal stories.

From nostalgic memories to heartfelt thank-yous, your handwritten notes reminded us that these businesses have shaped experiences, built traditions, and helped define what makes downtown feel like home. These community-rooted, family-owned, and locally operated businesses are the heart of Downtown Iowa City and that’s something we champion all year long. 💌

Whether you filled out a dining passport, wrote a love letter, shopped small, or simply stopped in to support your favorite spot—thank you. Supporting Legacy Businesses means supporting the soul of downtown.

Until next year, let’s keep showing up for the ones who’ve always been here. ❤️

Mini golf is taking over Downtown Iowa City tomorr

Mini golf is taking over Downtown Iowa City tomorrow! Round up your crew, throw on your free sun visor, and get ready to swing through custom-built holes inside your favorite bars & restaurants. 🏌️‍♂️

Ticket holders get exclusive food + drink specials, all-day fun, and the perfect excuse to spend a sunny Saturday puttin’ around downtown. 😎

Team tickets for up to 4 players are still up for grabs—don’t get left in the sand trap and get yours now at the link in our bio.

With an event this popular, it takes over 150 volu

With an event this popular, it takes over 150 volunteers to make the Downtown Block Party a success. To give back to those who put in the work, we provide donations to our volunteer groups. Whether it’s @uidm, @occrd, @uiowamobileclinic, or @kapsi1911, our volunteers are the unsung heroes of event execution. This year, we’re thrilled to have @riversidecasino as our official Volunteer Sponsor. Not only are they helping to support the event, but they’re supporting 15+ local non-profits and university clubs. Thank you @riversidecasino for joining us for your first-ever Block Party! See you on the streets on June 28th.

PS We have a few volunteer shifts remaining! Email katie@downtowniowacity.com if you’re interested in volunteering at Block Party in exchange for a donation. These dollars are a great way to support the continuous needs of every non-profit. Plus, no matter the task, we promise you’ll have fun being involved in this unique event.

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