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Residents propose downtown town square and performance pavilion near new school
Summary
Longtime Decorah residents Jim and Liz Fritz asked the council to allow them to develop concepts for a new town square and performance pavilion on the parking lot across from city hall, the post office and the new elementary school; they proposed private donations, grants and a solar array to fund maintenance and requested a future agenda slot to present more detailed plans.
Jim Fritz and his wife, Liz, longtime Decorah residents, used the public comment period to present a concept for a new downtown town square and outdoor performance pavilion.
"We live at 315 Riverview Drive, and we've been residents of Decorah for almost 40 years," Fritz said, describing a proposal for a large green space and pavilion on the parking lot across from the post office, city hall and the new elementary school. He listed potential uses—festivals, concerts, plays and an expanded farmers market—and suggested funding would primarily come from private donations supplemented by grant-writing. He also proposed a solar array on the pavilion to fund maintenance and management.
Fritz asked the council to allow the proposers time on a future agenda to present conceptual plans and further detail. Council members thanked the Fritzes for bringing the idea forward and indicated interest in further conversation; staff and council suggested meeting with a small group of council members to advance conceptual work and noted calendar constraints (budget season and an upcoming discussion about the fire department) that could delay broader council consideration.
Next steps: Residents may follow council guidance to meet with interested council members or request placement on a regular meeting agenda or a special meeting for a full presentation.
No formal council action was taken at this meeting on the town square proposal.
