I was very disappointed in the comments made by some of our city councilors regarding the Broadway reconstruction project. I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the Albert Lea City Council meeting, but I have been to other meetings over the years such as Albert Lea Listens, the design team and the comprehensive plan. These meetings were open to the public and were attended by dozens and dozens of people who were envisioning how beautiful our historic district could be — especially if we could tie it together with Fountain Lake Park. Now the time has come when we have a chance to really make this vision come true. Albert Lea has needed this for many years.

Was there not one positive comment from our councilors at the council meeting about how beautifying Broadway and our Fountain Lake Park would not only impress our visitors, but would encourage building owners to update their facades and possibly entice new businesses? We must not pass on this opportunity.

Rochester is planning to spend $6 billion on their city with plans to make the Mayo Clinic and Rochester a destination for world visitors. Many of those visitors will take side trips while in Rochester. Albert Lea is within an hour drive, and we could entice those people to visit our beautiful city. It is rather hard to entice people to come see our new sewer and water pipes under Broadway. All the people that attended the meetings mentioned above, envisioned a more beautiful historic district. Even little Lake Mills has great visions for their city. They have been making dramatic strides to turn their city into a “destination” community.

The Bible says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” — Proverbs 29:18

Well, we haven’t perished yet, but we haven’t grown either. Ask yourself, why?

 

Karen Trow

Albert Lea