[Winona Online Democracy]
The Wilkie was only a replica when I first came to Winona. I admit that it
has mostly been disappointing, but only because the potential was/is
obvious.
I don't understand how having a replica steamboat (in excellent condition,
of course, with hours open) detracts from a park-like feeling at the levy.
Nor do I see it as taking up valuable parking spaces (I am so sick of
hearing about down town parking).
But then, my vision is somewhat askew. I also don't understand why Winona
is home to a MARITIME museum. A river museum, yes, but other than as a tax
payer subsidized vanity piece/tax write-off for a wealthy Winonan/former
senator, why do we have a maritime art museum that many have complained to
me that they cannot afford to visit?
Were I a boater from out of town, I would be drawn to the
Wilkie--disappointed that it didn't offer more, but that's a different
problem. A pavillion? However nicely decorated would not draw me in. And
the site of all of the HBC satellite dishes would simply convince me that
Winona had not a single clue about anything to do with making the city
attractive for the natives, not to mention visitors. Don't get me started
on the weeds.
I agree that it is a shame that there are not more and better eating choices
on the river front, or in Winona, as a community.
Terri Hyle
From: "c.e. woodford" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: winona forum winona forum <[email protected]>
Subject: [Winona] EXCELLENT post I cut-n-pasted from Winona net
Regardingthe present and future of Winona's waterfront
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:21:43 -0700 (PDT)
[Winona Online Democracy]
I am not against the Wilkie. I loved the real boat and thought it was a
true attraction. I was deeply saddened when it burned. All of this happened
before I moved here.
When the replica was built, at first I thought: What a neat community to
rally around their city's symbol and construct a replica of what they lost.
I have loved Winona and been a regular visitor for well over 25 years
before I moved here 11 years ago. During that time, I had the opportunity
to vacation here for 6 weeks at a time, twice a year. Spent a lot of time
fishing. I tried to visit the new Wilkie numerous times during my
vacations. Even before it was rotted and eventually closed permanently, it
was seldom open and disappointing when "boarded".
I can't remember the last time it was open but I had breakfast aboard it
one time with out of town friends. Nobody was impressed because it was run
down and dirty.
Construction was obviously poor, the reflecting pool was drained or leaked
and it became just a big, closed building to those on shore.
>From the river it still looks very cool. But should we try to attract
boaters to visit it when it is not open? No. Should we rebuild it? Not with
the way it was going to be done. Should we put something up that can
actually sustain itself and serve both locals and tourists? Probably.
Returning the park like setting to the levee would be preferable to the
rotting hulk blocking the view of the river. And if the group had been
successful at raising the money to refurbish the building, how much would
they have to make to maintain it over the years to avoid being right back
where we are now?
The bottom line is the city owns it. They should determine what its status
should be or if they want to invest money into its repair, maintenance,
staffing and use or if they want to raze it. Where did the money come from
to build the replica? If it was tax dollars then the taxpayers should have
a vote. If it was private donations and then given to the city, the city
owns it now with no strings.
Is the Wilkie our main concern?
There is no good connection between the river and Winona. No reason for
boaters to stop here. I am a boater and nothing is as it should be to draw
passing boats or local boat traffic. It is not inviting or friendly
feeling.
You can call the pizza joint by radio or phone from your boat. But why, the
food sucks and the place is dirty. The circus looking sandwich/ice cream
shop on the levee is over priced and just not that great. Walking to town
for another sandwich or mediocre meal is the boater's alternative.
Steamboat Days is currently in progress and there is nothing to invite a
boater to join the party. You can see the tent tops but that's it. If we
had a large steel pavilion matching the round footprint and occupying the
patio in front of the Wilkie (and where the Wilkie currently sits) a stage,
food vendors (and their trailers) as well as others could occupy that
space, out of the sun and VISIBLE TO THE RIVER. A year 'round nautical
theme could be the decor, not require staffing, heating, cooling, elevators
and very little maintenance.
We wouldn't lose so many precious parking parking spaces either.
How many other uses could a structure of this type be available for is only
limited by imagination. It would accommodate lots of people for weddings
and other events that would pay the city for the use of it. Just like
Goodview does with their pavilion except we would be right on the river and
have a spectacular view.
Instead, our Steamboat Days occupies parking spaces need by businesses,
attendees see nothing of the river, the Wilkie is in the distance, away
from the party and not even thought of as having anything to do with the
celebration.
Winona has created its own reputation amongst those who know the area. The
fake Wilkie, whether it remains or is razed, will have no affect on this
reputation because there is nothing else in town that people are really
interested in.
>From the river, there is no signage for our new maritime museum. How many
other signs are there in town for it? Is there dockage by that attraction?
I haven't looked myself because I hate that long no wake zone in Winona and
avoid it when I can. I put in at ramps downstream from Winona. I guess the
city didn't figure people would just do that to avoid their concept of
slowing down the boats should make them stop in town.
Call the locks on Ch 14 and you can make lockage less time consuming and
get to LaCrosse for a good meal. Why waste time in Winona?
And for the short run, head downstream to Sullivan's. They cater to boaters
by picking them up at the marina and taking them back after dinner. Can you
ever imagine Winona trying to attract business like this? Sullivan's has
had success through its various owner's with progressive and service
oriented ideas as well as good food.
But I did take guests upstream on Thursday and we saw the Thompson working
just below Fountain City. As we past her we took photos. It's a fine
looking vessel and I know from people who have worked on that boat that it
has some beautiful fittings and engine room.
When Winona gets her, will we tell anyone how to find it by land or water?
Can Winona make a tourist attraction out of it? Winona has no clue how to
promote itself even when it has something of value.
You pick up that newspaper devoted to visiting Winona and the GRSF is the
most mentioned, most advertised thing in it. Are we narrowing our views
down too much and focusing on the wrong thing for long term attractions? I
think so but I could also care less about artsy-fartsy Shakespeare theater
plays.
I would rather see more festivals for the common man. Steamboat Days is a
carnival and cheap in its atmosphere so I just listen to the music and
enjoy a beer and some food away from that end of it. Victorian Fair failed
because it became stagnant over the years. Now called Heritage Days it has
dwindled in size and quality. This is because Winona thinks what it has
will ALWAYS be good enough. That's why it's dying. That's why it has its
reputation. That's why boaters pass us by. That is why highway travelers
keep on driving.
The Wilkie was doomed by poor construction, poor promotion, poor event
planning, poor staffing. Winona is doomed for failure to provide new
construction, new promotions, new events, new plans and new thinking.
River towns are full of history but when you look at SUCCESSFUL historical
river towns, they also offer modern ideas, exciting events and attractions
as well as good dining. That is where the tourism and the money is. We have
missed that concept completely and still cling to the idea that Shakespeare
and rotting hulls of old buildings and replicas will save us.
So even though I live in Winona County only a few miles out of Winona, I
must travel up and down both sides of the river to more interesting towns
for dining and entertainment by car and boat. Seems as if most other folks
do the same. Guess those other towns are more interested in providing what
people really want.
Frank S
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