Spring Grove is the Focus in the WHKS February Newsletter
I realize it has been over a year since there was a posting in this blog, however Spring Grove continues to have thrive and grow.
Spring Grove was highlighted in the latest WHKS newsletter. You can also view the article below or connect to their website at https://www.whks.com/2016/02/
Small town resourcefulness. Big town pride.
 This small, pretty agricultural town also has a state highway that doubles as main street. With the heavy agricultural and truck traffic, the town's main drag had taken a beating and needed both repairs and updating. The $4 million budget was significantly more than the town was used to spending on itself and close coordination with the Minnesota DOT extended over several years. Extensive input from the close-knit community through numerous public meetings made it clear that they didn't want the same old thing. Beautification and improved pedestrian facilities were just as important as new underground utilities. WHKS professionals helped guide the town through the preliminary and final designs for the roadway and utilities. They coordinated with MNDOT, facilitated the public meetings and monitored the project through construction. Understandably, the construction process might have caused significant disruption to the main street businesses. But the residents came together and creatively suggested a unique 'backdoor' campaign to encourage use of the back doors of shops and offices on the main street while the front doors were blocked by construction. Although landscape beautification was high on the list of priorities, the budget simply couldn't include the finished landscaping. With the help of WHKS, Spring Grove applied and was approved for a Minnesota grant program that paid for the trees and shrubs. In a heartwarming display of small town spirit, the residents came together in a town planting party and are now justifiably proud of their revitalized main street. |
