In 2006, there was 3.8 million of property sold in the downtown.There was 55,000 dollars in façade improvements. In 2007 , the progress in the downtown is really blossoming. The Touch of Thai Restaurant underwent a major renovation, expanded their menu, and added a liquor license. Four buildings are undergoing major renovations; two on Hennepin Avenue and two on First Street. A new bar is being constructed at 77 South Hennepin Avenue, The Snow White Bakery is renovating the basement of their building for the addition of a French Bistro, a wonderful Christian Book Store expanded into the downtown mini-mall on East First, and the Riverfront Project has now raised the needed funds to begin the project in early 2008.

A low interest loan program is offered to downtown building owners and developers through a cooperative partnership with:

AN OUTDOOR DINNING ORDINANCE.

LIVE LUNCH HOUR CONCERTS EACH FRIDAY DOWNTOWN DURING THE SUMMER.

AN EXPANDED QUARTERLY NEWS LETTER.

A RECREATIONAL TRAIL THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN USING RIVER STREET AND THE GALENA AVENUE BRIDGE.

DISTRIBUTE “THE RESTAURANTS OF DOWNTOWN” BOOKLETS TO ALL WAITING ROOMS IN THE CITY.

MAKE THE ENTIRE DOWNTOWN A HOTSPOT FOR WIRELESS INTERNET.

PLAN A STREET PERFORMERS (BUSKER) FESTIVAL FOR THE FALL.

HAVE THE FIRST DOWNTOWN DIXON HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW.

CONSTRUCT A DETAILED, MEANINGFUL MARKET ANALYSIS OF THE DOWNTOWN WHICH CAN BE USED AS A POWERFUL RECRUITING TOOL.

CONTINUE TO LOBBY THE CITY FOR DOWNTOWN STREET, SIDEWALK, AND LIGHTING IMPROVMENTS.

WORK WITH BUILDING OWNERS OF “AT RISK BUILDINGS” TO MAKE POSITIVE IMPROVEMENTS.

CONTINUE THE CHRISTMAS WALK IN LIGHT OF LAST YEAR’S SNOWSTORM CANCELLATION.

AGGRESSIVE VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AND RECRUITMENT.

CONTINUE THE 4TH GRADE ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY PROJECT.

ENHANCE AND PROMOTE DOWNTOWN DIXON’S HERITAGE TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES AS WE APPROACH THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY.

AGRESSIVELY PROMOTE THE DOWNTOWN DINNING HOTLINE (815) 285-EATS.

SECURE MORE FUNDING THAT CAN BE USED TO CONTINUE OUR DOWNTOWN WORK.

AND FINALLY, WORK MORE CLOSELY AND COOPERTIVELY WITH THE DIXON CHAMBER AND THE DIXON TOURISM BOARD.