[Winona Online Democracy]
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Sebo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: 6 novembre, 2003 15:42 Subject: [Winona] The Walmart Saga There is one thing that is not being said enough as we talk about Walmart and development in general...and that is that we have a terrific mayor in Jerry Miller. We had a great talk about Riverbend this morning. Talking about design, I asked him if Riverbend couldn't look more like Winona than Onalaska...he responded by asking me if Target or HyVee looks like Winona...I said 'I don't know'...he said 'I don't either.'........ He also pointed out that Menards is the most landscaped big box retailer in town, and he is right. .......... Bob Sebo Winona ----- Response ----- I'm sure you might be right in your assessment of his honor, the mayor. But does he have much influence when it comes to determining what Winona will look like even if he had a notion as to what that should be? Meanwhile, months after completion, the Riverview Business Center, prominently located at the riverfront entrance to downtown, may be the least landscaped big box in town. So what might tourist guests at our downtown hotel think looks like Winona? The Huff and Second Street intersection? The weeds along the railroad tracks and under the bridge? Maybe the nearby stack of Sears' junk appliances. Or, if their room faces the gas station fence, they might think it looks like they should have spent the extra money to stay at the Saint James Hotel in Red Wing. The Grand Excursion Man's multimedia presentation showed scenes and examples of how many cities and towns were starting to redevelop their riverfronts to realize their potential as recreation, tourist, and upscale housing locations. The south bank of Winona's stretch of the river presents some industrial obstacles to that vision, but until the Excursion plans petered out, I had hoped that the event might be a catalyst for downtown streetscape improvements. Some downtown merchants are trying to capitalize on what remains of our historic buildings, but the overall ambience of the area could be greatly improved. It's encouraging that our city planers want to get the Menards / Wall-Mart retail park to incorporate aesthetic enhancements and have suggested that the moribund Architectural Review Board get involved. However, unless a similar effort takes place downtown, making our Wal-Mart provide the best shopping experience possible will detract just that much more from our riverfront business district. I don't expect that city government can or should force private property owners to conform to stringent appearance guidelines, especially property developed when no such standards existed. But it could set an example by doing a better job of planting and maintaining the downtown trees and incorporating landscape islands in municipal parking lots. And how about correcting the mistake of rebuilding Second Street without including boulevard trees, plantings, and varied sidewalk textures in the historic district? Some business establishments are already doing some of this: the banks, the Eye & Vision Clinic, Walz Buick, and others that don't come to mind right now. Back in the sixties, Lady Bird Johnson undertook highway and urban beautification as a cause. Getting junkyards out of sight, controlling billboard blight, and planting roadside flowers was a component of this. Maybe Winona's first lady could advocate for something similar for our downtown. She is in real estate and must be aware of how "curb appeal" enhances the value of a property. BTW: speaking of billboards. Menards is making another attempt to get a zoning variance so they can have a one hundred foot high sign. That's twice as high as now allowed, I think. _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
