THE IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN DISTRICT (ICDD) STRATEGIC PLAN IDENTIFIES A NEW “NIGHTTIME INITIATIVE” AS A PRIORITY INVESTMENT FOR 2017. AS PART OF THIS INITIATIVE, THE ICDD IS SEEKING CANDIDATES TO FILL A NEW “NIGHTTIME MAYOR” POSITION INTENDED TO FURTHER ENHANCE DOWNTOWN’S NIGHT ECONOMY AND CELEBRATE NEW CULTURAL OFFERINGS THAT HAVE EVOLVED OVER THAT PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

 

DOWNTOWN IOWA CITY IS EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FROM MILLENNIALS, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FACULTY, YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, AND RETIREES TO LIVE, WORK, AND EXPERIENCE THE DOWNTOWN AFTER HOURS.  ON THE HEELS OF THE OPENING OF THE WORLD-CLASS UI VOXMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND OTHER PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS, NEW COMMUNITY-UI CAMPAIGNS CALLING FOR PROGRESSIVE SOCIAL AND HEALTH REFORMS, AND RECENT SUCCESSES OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND ICDD IN SUPPORTING DOWNTOWN ENHANCEMENTS, THE ICDD BELIEVES THE TIME IS RIGHT TO CELEBRATE AND ENHANCE DOWNTOWN’S NIGHTTIME ECONOMY AND LEAD IT IN A PROACTIVE DIRECTION.

 

“WE ARE FINDING THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN DOWNTOWN IN SEVERAL YEARS HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE POSITIVE CHANGES MADE BY OUR BUSINESSES SINCE THE 21-ONLY ORDINANCE OR THE GROWTH OF LOCAL AND UNIVERSITY CULTURAL PROGRAMMING.  THEY STILL THINK OF DOWNTOWN IOWA CITY AS IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO.  IT’S A HUGE DISCONNECT,” SAID NANCY BIRD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ICDD.  “IT’S HIGH TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND GUIDE THIS ASSET.”  PLANS FOR DOING SO INCLUDE SERVICING THOSE MEMBERS THAT ARE OPEN AFTER 5PM, SUPPORTING SOLUTIONS AROUND NIGHTTIME CHALLENGES, PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ON PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES, AND CURATING ENTERTAINMENT AND CONFERENCE OFFERINGS FOR ENTREPRENEURS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND VISITORS.

 

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR THE NIGHTTIME MAYOR POSITION WILL MANAGE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OF NIGHT BUSINESSES AND CULTURAL VENUES TO ENHANCE AND BUILD NON-TRADITIONAL EVENTS, CONFERENCES, AND CREATIVE ENDEAVORS THAT STRENGTHEN THE NIGHT TIME ECONOMY.  TASKS OF THE POSITION WILL INCLUDE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH BUSINESSES, CITY DEPARTMENTS, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STUDENT LIAISONS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM, ADDRESS COMMUNITY FRICTION POINTS, AND SERVE AS A WELCOMING CONCIERGE.  ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE STRONG INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND INITIATIVE.  THE ICDD IS COMMITTED TO A MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM MINORITIES AND ANY CANDIDATE WITH AN UPLIFTING AND ENERGETIC PERSPECTIVE.

SEE JOB REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO APPLY HERE