Hats off to Iowa State Daily reporter Stacy Beeler for attending the first of three public informational meetings on the newly-formed Main Street Cultural District. Stacy’s Oct. 29 article, “Council would like to make downtown the ‘heart and soul,'” did an excellent job of summarizing the goals and potential of the district.

However, one point in Stacy’s article needs clarification. It is correct that membership in the Main Street Cultural District will be open to individuals and businesses throughout the City of Ames and Story County. Membership fees for retail businesses will be based on the amount of their annual sales.

Individuals are charged a flat fee of $25 per year, and families can become members for an annual fee of $50.

Stacy reported ” … in addition to dues, members will be required to put $200 a year into an advertising fund for the district as a whole.”

This statement is partially accurate but somewhat misleading. The members asked to support the advertising fund will be those with businesses located in the district, since those businesses would stand to benefit most from added activity in the district.

Individuals and families, as well as businesses outside the district, will not pay into the advertising fund.

I hope this clarifies any misconceptions. There will be two more public informational meetings, one from 7:30—8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Youth & Shelter Services and another meeting from 9:30—10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Ames Public Library Community Room.

I urge anyone interested in hearing more about this exciting concept for Downtown Ames to attend.

Joyce Durlam

President

Main Street Cultural District