Downtown District Board Members:

Formed in 1996, the Cedar Rapids Downtown District Board represents the 501(c)6 non-profit organization, aiming to improve downtown as a place to live, work, play, shop and visit. The Downtown District board guides our organization through our mission and visions for the future. This Board represents the healthy mix of innovative business owners and leaders, representatives from cultural organizations, creative minds of advertising, law, banking and development businesses, and leaders from various nonprofit organizations. Learn more about what the Downtown District Board is working on by viewing the meeting minutes attached below.

Connie Chapman (Chair)
        Ryan Companies
Bruce Anderson 
        City State Bank
Tom Anderson 
        Merrill Lynch
Robert Becker 
        Guaranty Bank
Steve Dummermuth Jr. 
        Iowa Glass
Mike Frantz 
        Network Growth Management
Tim Hankewich 
        Cedar Rapids Symphony
Josie Heskje 
        Entrepreneurial Development Center
Jack Ilten 
        Ilten’s

Linda Langston 
        Linn County Supervisor
Emily Meyer (H) 
        Ryan Companies
Dana Nichols 
        Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
Scott Olson 
        Skogman Commercial
Tom Petersen 
        ITC Midwest
Amy Reasner 
        Lynch Dallas
Randy Rings 
        Involta/TrueNorth
DJ Smith 

        Attorney

Leslie Wright 
        United Way
Felicia Wyrick (H) 
        Adfinity Marketing Group
Amy Wyss 
        Zins Restaurant 

SSMID Board Members:

In 1986, a Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (SSMID) was created by vote of the Downtown property owners for community development, streetscape and beautification improvements. They agreed to tax themselves as additional assessment every year for 20 years to revitalize the area. Their action, the dedication of their leaders and the cooperation of the City of Cedar Rapids, gave Downtown an opportunity to renew itself, and helped create the vibrant Downtown neighborhood we enjoy today. The healthy mix of business, cultural institutes and residential opportunities that exists now is a testimony to their foresight.

Today, the SSMID Board is composed of property owners or representatives appointed by the Mayor to continue these initiatives, and remain visionaries in our plans for the future and vitality of Downtown Cedar Rapids. Learn more about what the SSMID Board is working on by reading the meeting minutes attached below. View the map of our SSMID District.

Chuck Peters (Chair)

            Gazette Communications

Tom Aller

            Alliant Energy

Steve Caves

            US Bank

Steve Dummermuth Sr.

            Iowa Glass

Jon Dusek

            Armstrong Development

Tiffany Earl

            Skogman Realty

Steve Emerson

            Aspect Architecture

Larry Helling

            Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust

Ann Lipsky

            Smulekoff’s

Mark Long

            Wells Fargo

Randy Ramlo

            United Fire

Jeff Scherrman

            Acme Graphics

Tom Slattery

            Heritage Associates

Stan White

            Grooms & Associates