Editorial: Main Street needs your help

Published 12:00 am Friday, September 7, 2007

Main Street in Albert Lea is ugly.

The new streetlights along East Main Street are dandy. They are a step in the right direction, and this Editorial Board already said it likes the lights. But this editorial is about a bigger problem. We&8217;re talking about all of Main Street.

Albert Lea needs a beautification effort for Main Street. Stand on the corner of Katherine and Main streets. Where is the greenery? Where is the scenery? The main route into town is downright unsightly.

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This is unusual because so much of Albert Lea is beautiful &8212; think of Lakeview Boulevard. Our foremost route doesn&8217;t represent our city well.

Beautification efforts in many places seek to make visual improvements, such as adding trees, shrubbery and flowers as well as removing ugly objects. Quite often the efforts are public-private cooperation.

There would be a private, nonprofit organization formed with a name like Albert Lea

Beautification Council. It would work with the city to improve eyesores, look for better landscaping, push for cleanliness and give input on aesthetic issues. It also would apply for beautification grants.

That said, the city of Albert Lea has not neglected aesthetics. The new bike trail, the Main Street lights and the construction of the footbridge to Katherine Island are testaments to that. It cares about how the city looks. Its officials are aware of the present state of Main Street.

But we citizens cannot always complain to the city government for everything we need. We have to step to the plate and work hand-in-hand with the city. If ever there would be a good community effort, it would be to form a beautification council. We hope some concerned citizens read this and take up the idea. Even better, a city elected official could lead the charge.

And the first project the new organization could tackle is Main Street.