Ribbon cutting celebrates Owatonna streetscape
Owatonna mayor Tom Kuntz, center, held the scissors as officials formally cut the ribbon on the North Cedar Avenue streetscape project. The 100-300 blocks have been under construction since June of 2021. Staff photo by Joni Hubred
Cold weather and even a few snowflakes didn’t stop the fun Thursday, as Owatonna officials and business owners celebrated the official completion of the North Cedar Avenue streetscape project.
The $4.5 million project updated sewers and roadways; widened sidewalks; added planters, benches, and other fixtures; turned alleys into pedestrian walkways; created bump-outs and reoriented parking; and added trees, grasses, and flowering plants.
Construction on North Cedar’s 100, 200, and 300 blocks started with a June 2021 groundbreaking–and warmer weather than the October 13 ribbon cutting. But Main Street director Lisa Cochran said all things considered, she was “very pleased with the turnout.”
“It was great to see the businesspeople, the Chamber ambassadors, all the city people, and there were other people who came from the community,” she said. “I loved seeing that.”
The ribbon cutting celebration was designed as a bonus Downtown Thursday, with music by the Jeremy Polland Band, games, and face painting. Cochran said the crowd broke up early, because of the weather.
Downtown Owatonna’s next big event is trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. It’s free and hosted by the Owatonna Business Partnership. You can learn more at owatonnabusiness.org.