Waukon Works Beautification/Streetscape Committee cleans up downtown plaza area

The Waukon Works Beautification/Streetscape Committee, one of the committees formed from the initial Waukon Works downtown forum meetings, performed a clean-up of the downtown plaza area located at the intersection of Main Street and Spring Avenue Thursday, May 3.
The clean-up effort was an initial step toward the committee's goal of making the Main Street plaza area a positive location on Main Street that creates a “Welcome to Waukon” image. It is further hoped that the plaza will be a community gathering place for activities such as Music on Main Street and other community events.
Participating in the clean-up effort were committee members (along with some of their family members) Sandy Halverson, Linda Bernhard, Tom Duvel, Barb Thies, Maura Jones, Gregg Jones, Dolan Jones, Aidan Jones, Shelly Elliott, Jayne McCormick, George Taylor, Gail Prestemon, Pat Friar and Wayne Burk.
Their efforts during the clean-up project included sweeping the plaza area, weeding and trimming shrubs, and powerwashing the concrete and limestone block making up the centerpiece of the plaza area. Participants witnessed what they termed "an amazing transformation" of that limestone centerpiece when the powerwasher removed years of dirt and grime that had discolored the limestone, the powerwasher transforming the centerpiece from a blackened fixture to a now much brighter, more inviting focal point.
Committee members also consulted with Master Gardener Connie Buresh on the types of perennials and other plantings that could be a good match to the plaza’s location. The group also spoke with Wayne Burk to gain an understanding of the efforts undertaken by the Community Pride organization to beautify downtown Waukon and Indian Springs Memory Garden in Waukon City Park.
Additionally, Waukon Mayor Loren Beneke stopped by the clean-up effort to express his appreciation and support of the group's beautification activities. The committee also discussed with Mayor Beneke some of its future plans for the downtown area that will soon be presented to the Waukon City Council for approval.