Waukon Economic Development Ponderings

This new feature piece, entitled “Waukon Economic Development Ponderings,” is being offered to highlight the intricacies within the Waukon community that may or may not be self-evident but do play a role in the existence and enhancement of the community. The column content will be submitted by Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Development Coordinator Ardie Kuhse for publication on a consistent basis within The Standard.

I was reminded again a week ago when an out of town visitor stopped by the office to gather some local information. Upon leaving she turned to me and said, “You have a pretty downtown”. I thanked her and as I thought about it, I stood and took a long, hard look downtown.

As someone involved in economic development, I am more apt to be concerned about empty storefronts and expanding business ventures, etc. But what makes a pretty downtown? I trailed it back to community pride. It takes a lot of work to make this happen, thus my research began...

I discovered that our local Community Pride Committee is a dedicated and committed group of Waukon citizens who have been working hard for the beautification and betterment of Waukon. You may think this committee is solely responsible for the Memory Garden at our City Park, and they are, but have been and are so much more.

The group, consisting of Wayne and Joan Burk, Bud and Marge Strike, Dick Prestemon, Doc and Sharon Olson, Dick and Jeanne Roggensack, John and Sheryl Prestemon and Keith and Pat Selberg, was originally who planted, cared for and watered our downtown sidewalk flower planters for years.  They are quick to point out that they had a lot of expert advice from Pop’s Produce. What a beautiful addition this has been each summer to our downtown presence.

For many years, this committee was donating its time and resources, along with local business support, to invest in this community flower pot project. Three years ago, they realized that they needed some financial support in order to continue, and approached our City Council. How fortunate that our Council members saw merit in the community projects and allocated a small budget line item each year for this group to continue.

Now the downtown flower pot project has enlisted the help of Pop’s Produce to plant, care for and water the planters. And dare I say that the change of seasons also sees beauty in the fall plants and pumpkins that take the place of the bright summer colors. Our hats off to Rachael Steiber and Bridget Byrnes of Pop’s for being so generous with their time in order to make our downtown sidewalks so pretty.

As a side note, I also discovered that the Community Pride Committee cares for the landscaping/sign area at our local airport. Wow, I am wondering how one small group of individuals can take this all on each and every summer.

Next, my research took me to the downtown plaza and the beauty of all of the blooming flowers and plants that mysteriously appear and are so vibrant all summer long. What an awesome view one enjoys when sitting and waiting for the stop light. But again, these plants do not plant themselves nor do they care for and water themselves.

So who else is sharing their community pride? I learned that several business ladies who were originally involved with the Waukon Works Committee decided to take on the plaza project out of their desire to enhance our downtown. Each spring, Sandy Halverson, Linda Bernhard and Gail Prestemon donate their time and talents to plant the flowers, and to care for them all summer long.

About this time, I’m feeling a little guilty as I program the LED lighted sign but do not lift a finger to enhance the beauty of where the sign is located. So I also say thanks to these ladies for caring. How sad it will be when Jack Frost arrives to take away this beauty.

Another thoughtful and community pride caring person comes to mind when thinking of beautification of our downtown, and that is Sherrie Hunstad of Waukon Greenhouse. Each summer some beautiful planters arrive at the Economic Development/Chamber Office to help beautify our outside courtyard. I must admit that I don’t have quite the green thumb going for me that keeps them as healthy as I know they should be. But the thought for beautifying our courtyard is always appreciated by those that stop by.

Last but not least, our downtown has been taking on so much more with the nurturing of our Main Street storefronts. Many of our businesses have purchased vacant buildings next to them in order to grow their business, have renovated their buildings, have put in new sidewalks, new signage and have taken extra care in the beauty of not only the outside of their building but also in the creation of wonderful window displays. What an inviting message of “shop here” this sends to all of our visitors.

Do these organizations, businesses and volunteers need our support? You bet they do. We should each be generous with our time, talents and resources to do our part in keeping Waukon beautiful - not just our downtown, but each business area and our neighborhoods.

I know I will volunteer more as I felt guilty when responding to my visitor’s comment: “You have a pretty downtown” and I knew I had done nothing to contribute to that beauty - but now I know who has and it has definitely not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.