The City Center Partnership (CCP) is a catalyst for development of the City Center and supports public and private investment in City Center projects, programs, and initiatives that attract a greater number of customers, employees, and residents to the City Center. CCP covers 180 blocks of Downtown Mankato and Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato.
Adopt-a-Planter: A beautification program where the City places sidewalk planters in the public right of way and nearby businesses adopt them by watering the plants and keeping them clean.
The City of Mankato (City) will provide the necessary plants and materials as well as the necessary labor to install the planters near the volunteer’s business. The volunteer will monitor, clean debris, remove dead plants, remove weeds, water, and groom site as necessary on a weekly basis.
Stay tuned for information on the upcoming season.
Established in 2011, CityArt, LLC works to enhance the quantity, quality and prominence of public art in the Mankato/North Mankato City Center. CityArt is a joint program of the City Center Partnership and Twin Rivers Council for the Arts dedicated to bringing public art to the community, contributing greatly to the vibrancy of the City Center and the community as a whole.
CityArt initiatives include the CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, CityArt On the Go, the City Center Public Art Tour and the Silo Art. Learn more here.
CityDesign Awards
This category recognizes new construction or renovation projects that contribute to the economic vitality of the City Center. The project could be the result of significant investment to develop a new building within the city center or redevelop an existing building or property for an improved use that contributes to the economic and cultural vitality of the city center. Nominations may be made for projects completed in the last 2 years.
Creative Placemaking
This category recognizes projects that include aesthetic improvements such as exterior signage, landscaping and beautification, public art, and exterior furnishings or that integrates arts and culture (permanent or temporary) to foster interaction among community members, spark vitality, or create an environment conducive to creativity and social engagement. Nominations may be made for projects completed in the last 2 years.
Stewardship Award
This category recognizes projects that incorporate sustainable elements into new construction or renovations, projects that improve environmental conditions through cleanup of brownfield sites, and/or recognizes projects that work to celebrate and maintain the historic integrity of a property, building, or landscape. This can include proactive maintenance of a historic property, alterations sensitive to historic character, and projects that celebrate a property’s history. Nominations may be made for projects completed in the last 2 years.
Click here to learn more about the Greater Mankato Business Awards and Hall of Fame
In November 2017, City Center Mankato became the eighth designated Main Street Community in Minnesota, joining Faribault, New Ulm, Owatonna, Red Wing, Shakopee, Willmar and Winona in gaining the designation.
Designated Minnesota Main Street communities must demonstrate broad community support, employ paid staff, and meet nationally defined standards. The City Center Partnership, representing the City Centers of Mankato and North Mankato, fulfills these requirements and has committed to incorporating the National Trust’s Main Street Four Point Approach® into its work: improving physical appearance and atmosphere of the downtown commercial district, increasing marketing and events that promote the district and local businesses, expanding the economic base, and building collaborative partnerships and resources.
About Minnesota Main Street
Minnesota Main Streets by Rethos is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping cities achieve economic vitality by utilizing built assets, supporting local community engagement activities, and cultivating passion for vibrant and prosperous downtowns. Minnesota Main Streets is a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program and provides local Main Street communities with the training, tools, information and networking they need to reinvigorate their downtown districts. More at rethos.org.
Main Street America
We are an accredited Main Street America community!
This is a special mark of distinction that only the most qualified organizations and communities receive. To receive this designation, these communities follow a rigorous process that must show a proven track record of celebrating community character, preserving local history, and generating economic returns. Our community should be proud of this designation.
About Main Street America
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 40 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. More at mainstreet.org
Artist on Main Street
The City Center Partnership has participated in three rounds of INFUSE, part of a larger initiative called Artists on Main Street, a partnership between Minnesota Main Street and Springboard for the Arts with support from the Bush Foundation. More at rethos.org/artists-on-main-street.
Phase I – Activate Old Town Alleyways
Phase II – Activate Washington Park
Phase III – Activating Open Spaces
City Center Partnership believes a vibrant, decorated City Center attracts customers by making the area more enjoyable and inviting. Therefore, we are inviting businesses to participate in the 5th annual Let it Glow, Kato window display contest. You decorate, we will promote you, and we will all benefit from the fun, festiviites, and frivolities of our City Center.
Visitors and residents will get to vote on their favorite window display. Cash awards for people’s choice will be given for 1st ($300), 2nd ($200) and 3rd ($100). Winners will be shared on social media and here on the CCP website on Friday, December 27th. Click HERE to view all the displays and vote for your favorite.
City Centers are places of shared memory where the entire community still comes together to live, work and play. Join in the fun and together we will attract people to the City Center.
The 2024 Holiday Bonus Gift Card Program is a wrap. Stay tuned for details on next year’s event.
The Lincoln Park Neighborhood was named after the small triangular park in the northern portion of the district, honoring President Abraham Lincoln. A recent community fundraising effort helped restore and rebuild the ‘Boy in Blue’ monument that stands in the center of Lincoln Park to honor the courage and sacrifice of the Blue Earth County, Minnesota Volunteer Soldier from 1861 – 1865.
With a quality blend of 19th-and early 20th century architecture, the Lincoln Park neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. As it remains today, it is one of the most intact late 19th and 20th century will-maintained residential neighborhoods in outstate Minnesota. It has 249 historically contributing buildings listed on the National Register. Home styles include Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, French Second Empire, Italianate, Craftsman, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival. Examples of vernacular Victorian-era design are common and several examples of American Foursquare style and Prairie School also exist.
Washington Park clusters along the long, wide central park space. Although similar in period to the Lincoln Park homes, these houses and lots are smaller and narrower for higher density.
In the late 1800s this area was once home to a bustling railway connection. *Fourth Street Depot Grounds included four railroads connected with Mankato, making it an important agricultural, commercial and industrial freight transportation hub.
The area has an active neighborhood association (Washington Park Neighborhood Association), which is committed to engaging with residents, maintaining and improving natural resources, and keeping the neighborhood safe for everyone.
*Sited from Washington Park Historical Marker
Sibley Park is Mankato’s third distinctive neighborhood, located on low-lying land by the Minnesota River. This neighborhood has a cluster of well preserved midcentury modern homes around the prominent Sibley Park, which is rich in history.
The park is named for Minnesota’s first Governor, Henry Hastings Sibley. In the past the park has provided a horse racing track, regional zoo, museum, community band shell, clay tennis courts and renowned gardens. Today, Sibley Park is home to the amazing Kiwanis Holiday Lights Display and ice skating rink, hobby farm and petting zoo, beautiful gardens and facilities for organized sports, music and group gatherings.
For more information on the Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association, contact Heather Hammond at 612-834-0211 or [email protected].
For more information on the Washington Park Neighborhood Association, contact Chad Davey at [email protected].
If you are interested in starting a neighborhood association, call the City of Mankato Community Development staff at 507-387-8620.
The Business On Belgrade Association’s mission is to promote, enhance and preserve beautiful Lower North Mankato as a diverse business, cultural and residential destination for the benefit of the entire community. This organization hosts events including Blues on Belgrade, Bier on Belgrade, Bookin’ on Belgrade and Bells on Belgrade. Learn more.
The Old Town Association, a collaboration of business owners in the historic Riverfront Drive shopping district, strives to promote commerce through business partnerships and shopping promotions. This organization spearheads local events including Love Local and Old Town Trick or Treating. Learn more.
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