Connie Lies, Larry Ackerman and Darlene Kotelnicki, members of the Litchfield Downtown Council, stand by the vintage clock the group raised money to install on Sibley Avenue. It was the group’s first project. Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
A walk down Main Street: Keeping the heart of the community vibrant BY SHELBY LINDRUD West Central Tribune
For decades, a city’s downtown or Main Street was usually its retail and commercial center. It wasn’t uncommon for even small towns to have a couple of grocery stores, clothing retailers and several restaurants. However, over the last three to four decades, as malls and big box stores have replaced the mom and pop businesses for many of life’s necessities, these same cities are having to imagine a new future for those downtown hubs.
Three regional cities are focusing on just that. They are finding new and inventive ways to reimagine, reinvigorate and restore their downtowns and Main Streets, so they once more will be the heart of life for the community.
Boosting a Willmar renaissance It is not that Willmar’s downtown is empty. Far from it. Downtown is one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the city, and is also home to some of Willmar’s most
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treasured institutions and businesses. “Willmar is unique, we don’t have just a Main Street,” said David Ramstad, former Willmar Planning and Development director. “We have a 12-block downtown area. It is actually a place.” However, it is also the poorest census tract in Willmar and has seen very little in terms of new development over the past few decades as retail stores moved to other commercial areas, such as First Street South.
