Frequently Asked Questions about CONE ZONE CASH

---

The Czech Village New Bohemia Self Supported Municipal Improvement District. A short version of their name is the District SSMID.

The District SSMID looked at the construction planned in the District for this year and for years to come. They considered the continual improvements and investments in the streets, bridges, and flood protection programs. They also reflected on the work to rebuild and renovate places such as the roundhouse and the building of new retail and housing in the area. The SSMID realized that the construction often kept visitors from enjoying the District. 

As a result, the SSMID decided to launch a program that would encourage individuals, businesses and organizations from outside of the District to spend their dollars inside the District. As the construction continues, all parts of the District are affected. The program is designed to help all businesses in Czech Village & New Bohemia. 

Individuals, businesses and organizations who want to help, purchase CONE ZONE CASH – Make it better bucks! They distribute the CONE ZONE CASH to customers, employees, friends and family. Then those people – who may not have visited the District recently or ever – travel to the District to spend their CONE ZONE CASH. (The CONE ZONE CASH spends just like real cash but can only be spent in the District.) While they are there, visitors are likely to find a new favorite restaurant, retail store, museum, entertainment venue or just a favorite spot along the river or charming streets of the District. This means they will stay a while, tell their friends about the experience and return for more good times in the future. 

All CONE ZONE CASH spends like dollars but only in the Czech Village and New Bohemia. However, dollars not spent in the program go right back into support of the District including new waste cans, benches, flower boxes, flowers, trees, additional murals, sculptures, new kiosks, holiday lights, and other amenities that help attract and keep visitors coming to the District. 

All CONE ZONE CASH spends like dollars but only in the Czech Village and New Bohemia. However, dollars not spent in the program go right back into support of the District including new waste cans, benches, flower boxes, flowers, trees, additional murals, sculptures, new kiosks, holiday lights, and other amenities that help attract and keep visitors coming to the District. 

1. It drives new visitors.
2.  It drives more visitors.
3.  It is worth more than the face value on the CONE ZONE CASH because people generally spend more. For example, if someone goes out to eat with their family with a $10 CONE ZONE CASH voucher, they are likely to spend $50 or more.
4. Then, since they had already parked their car, they are likely to buy ice cream at the store down the street, or shop for clothing or shoes at another retailer, and stroll down the street to learn about other attractions.
5.  After spending time in the District, these visitors are more likely to return again to visit places where they either didn’t make it into or where they want to continue to shop or patronize. They might learn about an exhibit at a museum or a musical concert which they’d like to attend. Once they learn what is in the District, they will most likely return to purchase other goods, services, and experiences.

Some businesses decide not to participate. We respect each organization’s individual decisions. However, it’s never too late to be included. All a business or organization needs to do to be included is to let us know that they want to be a part of the program. They can drop an email to: contact@ConeZoneCash.com we will get them on the list. 

At this time, we plan to keep the program in effect as long as there is significant construction in the District. We expect that to be several years. 

 In 2015, the commercial property taxpayers in the Czech Village and New Bohemia voted to ask the City Council of Cedar Rapids to make them a taxing district. It was named the Czech Village New Bohemia Self Supported Municipal Improvement District (the District SSMID)*  It was set up and approved by a required percentage of property owners in the District who would pay the tax each year to ensure that improvements would be made to the District.  The ability to create this taxing district is part of Iowa Law and this organization is a commission of the City of Cedar Rapids.  

SSMID commission members are District property owners appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Cedar Rapids City Council.  

Generally, the District SSMID -- invests in streetscape, public arts, flowers, trees, benches, and other amenities that would not be possible without the tax.  Its mission is to keep the District vibrant, unique, thriving and welcoming.

*The City of CR passed an ordinance in 2015 approving a SSMID District including both neighborhoods: The Czech Village New Bohemia Self Supporting Municipal Improvement District -- the CVNB SSMID or The District SSMID.  Not the New Bohemia District or the Czech Village District but the entire area is the CVNB SSMID or DISTRICT SSMID.  It's a taxing district that works to enhance both neighborhoods.  Since acronyms are difficult to read and keep track of -- we often shorten it to the District SSMID.  There are three SSMIDs in Cedar Rapids:  the Downtown SSMID; the Med Q SSMID and the Czech Village New Bohemia SSMID.