Comments on: STREETSCAPE – Downtown Renaissance or Boondoggle.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:32:42 +0000

I agree with Jon. Sheldon is behind and will never get cheaper. Although the town does a good job on street, sidewalk, etc replacement through out the years. Is western ave or 16th street on the list for future upgrading.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:45:16 +0000

The fact is that most towns and small cities, whether or not they have a thriving downtown, are investing money in the infrastructure, the lighting, and the historical buildings they have in their central downtown districts. Sheldon has some fairly impressive downtown structures that ought to be preserved and enjoyed, and too many historical landmarks in the community have been demolished or succumbed to fire. Look around at communities like Le Mars, Spencer, Cherokee, Sibley, Spirit Lake, Osage, Forest City, Independence, Orange City, Oelwein, Decorah, Cresco, Clear Lake or Pella. All of these communities have spent money on downtown infrastructure, lighting, and other efforts to beautify their downtown districts. No, it is not a guarantee that it will bring a thriving downtown- that takes a proactive chamber of commerce, a supportive business community, and innovative and intelligent marketing on the part of business owners, but it certainly demonstrates an amount of pride in the community and support for its businesses. Even small towns like Hartley and Sanborn have at the very least put in new lights and Primghar just this year replaced their downtown square, unfortunately needing to replace their cobblestone streets with a smoother surface that better accommodates pedestrians, particularly elderly ones. Sheldon is behind the times in this process, and it will not get any cheaper nor become less of a need.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:41:07 +0000

Better places to invest money in Sheldon beside the uptown. Tax the owners more to offset cost? Not sure on this idea. I have spoken to three owners up town, two of them claim they never received any info from the committe as in letters, invite to meets etc. the other owner said he did receive a letter. I think typical Sheldon committe stuff. I gave them x so therefor lets vote and pass it and I can tote my own horn type of thing. I don’t understand.

By: Lee Ann

Lee Ann — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 21:40:48 +0000

I was born in Estherville and had a whole lot of family in Emmetsburg. I was raised in another state, and came back to visit several years ago, was driving through Emmetsburg and got lost. (yeah, how could I get lost?) I went to a gas station and asked, “I’m lost. where is the corner where the brick street is and the bears lived in the cage?” The guy was astonished, and said, “You haven’t been here in a LONG time.”

I have Sheldon brick for my floor in the garage. They have moved over the years, and I have big ruts where the tires have run over them. Once I get started in the garage, its almost like being in an automatic car wash, I couldn’t get off track. haha

By: Red

Red — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:11:16 +0000

It broke my heart to read that Primghar is taking out it’s cobblestoned streets. :0(

By: Lee Ann

Lee Ann — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 00:37:07 +0000

I have to admit I haven’t been following this closely. I am amazed that it will cost $1,500,000. That seems too high. the pictures I have seen , artist’s renditions, show places to sit, trees. Isn’t it amazing that long ago, nobody wanted brick areas in their streets, so they took them all out, now all the popular looks in cities shows brick walkways? My garage floor is Sheldon brick from downtown, if anybody wants it back. lol.