Kudos to the Winona Mayor and Board of Aldermen for their commitment in improving the appearance of the city, one project at a time.
Most of you have noticed the new decorative street signs that were recently installed around the Winona historic district, and there are still more waiting to be installed. Isn’t it amazing what a little decoration can add to a community?
Tuesday night, the Winona Board of Alderman approved the purchase of a second batch of street signs to install at the city’s entrances -- down Highway 51 from city limit to city limit, along Middleton Road, and on Highway 407 to the city limits.
The aldermen also voted to purchase iron, decorative trash cans to be placed along Summit Street and on Front Street in an effort to combat litter in downtown. By providing a place for people to dispose of trash, it may keep it from being thrown on the ground.
And the aldermen weren’t finished. In cooperation with downtown business owners, a project spearheaded by Matt Bennett, the city voted to fund the landscaping of eight of the planters along the center of Front Street. The Winona Rotary Club and the Winona Garden Club donated money to landscape four of the planters which have been completed, and the city will fund the remainder of the project. Go check them out! A little attention goes a long way.
A couple of years ago, Winona’s voters passed the two percent tourism tax on prepared food and beverage. The revenue from that two percent tax can be used in two ways – the promote tourism (which also includes beautification) and to improve and expand the city’s park program.
Now the two percent revenue frees up funds, particularly in park maintenance, in the city’s annual budget which can be used to improve infrastructure and so on, however, the use of the revenue is very clear in the state legislation allowing the tax.
Replacing the street signs was the first project funded by the two percent tax, and as funds become available, Mayor Jerry Flowers said purchasing and installing new signs will expand throughout the city.
Thank you to the City of Winona and Winona Main Street for making improvements to the city’s aesthetics. A little curb appeal goes a long way in improving Winona’s image to those visiting or passing through. And we always want to put our best foot forward.
