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2 IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019 Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) is a 20-year-old organization that was formed to advance our historical downtown as the regional center for commerce, culture and leisure activities for resi- dents and visitors. Around Downtown Who is Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) and what do they do? BY CATHERINE SMITH Within that mission, we are fortunate enough to manage the Business Improvement District in downtown Idaho Falls. We have an active board of directors who all have a vested interest in downtown by either owning property or conducting their own business here. With a long history of very engaged board directors and talented staff, IFDDC has moved the needle in many ways downtown. I was fortunate to inherit a healthy organiza- tion following Krisi Staten's successful tenure in 2017, market by development and expansion of seasonal "brew" festivals, holiday street celebrations and other events. Key Employees & Projects Mala Lyon is our operations manager and has been with IFDDC for 25-plus years. Her talents and knowledge have been pivotal in supporting our efforts through the years and keeping our plans on the rails. Juan Hernandez is newly hired and will be serving as our downtown parking ambassador. He'll be zipping around downtown in a new parking enforcement vehicle helping to provide answers for people looking to park downtown. We also have a part-time nights and weekends parking ambassador, Ed O'Reyah, who monitors the lots and parking during after- hours. At any time, IFDDC has multiple projects in motion. This includes regular events to support downtown business- es and bring people and commerce into the neighborhood along with tangible construction and beautifying efforts. One notable long-time achievement that has made tan- gible change downtown is the Community Development Block Grant program using HUD funding to provide façade and signs to our downtown businesses. The Phoenix Theater on Broadway is a shining example of how we've worked together with downtown property owners to sup- port their efforts of renovation. It takes a team of people to pull the projects together and we are fortunate to partner with Lisa Farris from B2XPHOTO.COM