In The News

The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership celebrated 2008 and looked forward to 2009 at its Annual Meeting on January 29 at the Ramada Plaza Hotel. BrownBoots Interactive, Inc., unveiled a new logo and branding campaign for the Downtown District. Annual awards also were presented to people who helped to make the downtown vibrant.

BrownBoots showcased examples of the new positioning concept, “Come Together.” The concept reflected feedback from surveys that suggested people wanted a downtown that was welcoming and friendly. “Come Together” also taps into the already-great places to gather downtown. These include the award-winning Fond du Lac Public Library, the Windhover Center for the Arts, the soon-to-be-expanded YMCA and restaurants, shops and lounges, among others. The new logo and brand will help downtown and the partnership to tap into their full potential.

“We are very excited to move forward with our new look,” said Amy Hansen, Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership director. “We have an extensive campaign planned which includes advertising, street banners and new signage.”

Longtime volunteer and partnership board officer Tom Meiklejohn received the 2008 Friend of Downtown Award. The award is presented annually to a person or organization that has made an impact on the organization through sustained or exemplary commitment to the partnership’s goals and ideals. Meiklejohn was a founding member of the Design Review Board, served as chair of the Economic Restructuring committee, served on the Board of Directors and was president of the board from 2006-2008.

Joan Pinch of The Ramada Plaza Hotel was presented with 2008 Volunteer of the Year. Pinch has served on the Board of Directors for several years, most recently as secretary. She serves on several committees: Promotions, Monster March and Fondue Fest, and she was chair of the Girls on the Town Committee. She was instrumental in putting together a very successful Breakfast with Santa event for the partnership’s Home for the Holidays Christmas promotion.

The Design of the Year award went to Sam Meyer for his historic renovation of 28 N. Main St. The building was built in 1873 as the German American Savings Bank. Bank President Rudolph Ebert had the bank built and later commissioned his home, the Painted Lady that resides on Division Street and Park Avenue. During its 135 years, the building served as a bank, saloon, paint store, shoe store and now it is the home of The Knitting Room. It was rumored to be a Prohibition-era speakeasy, with a still upstairs and copper pipe running liquor downstairs to thirsty customers. The building is an Italianate design with beautiful 8-foot windows on the second floor and tons of character. Meyer worked diligently to return the building to its original splendor, and the partnership was proud to recognize his efforts.

The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership is the administrative arm of the Business Improvement District, which encompasses Main Street from Follett Street on the North to Ninth Street on the South, and includes areas to the east and west. The mission of the partnership is to establish a diverse, prosperous and healthy district that is the social, commercial and cultural heart of our community. For information call (920) 921-9500.