Sleepy Eye

residents

hear ideas on

community

development

Consultant:

It takes just

one big project to

get things going

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Eagan architect Fred Sabongi spoke to approximately 100 Sleepy Eye business owners and residents Tuesday night at a community development workshop in the public school cafeteria.

Sabongi handed out evaluation sheets and questionnaires for business owners and residents, asking them about their businesses and what they wanted to see downtown.

Community Development Director Rob Anderson said it was good to see so many people interested in improving Sleepy Eye.

Sabongi said he was looking for ideas to help him develop a master plan for the community. His firm helped design projects at St. Mary's School and Dyckman Public Library as well as an upcoming project at St. Mary's Church.

Sabongi has done projects in Fairfax, Hector, Olivia, Montevideo, St. Cloud, Worthington.

He was particularly impressed with projects in Olivia and Montevideo that used donated items and raised money needed to convert empty buildings into a community centers.

Displaying a large Sleepy Eye map, Sabongi said the project is for the whole town, not just downtown.

"You have a great city, a nice lake that is not being used properly I'm told, two busy highways, and a railroad that is being improved," Sabongi said. "One thing you don't have is an industrial park. If you have one, you could generate lots more money, taxes and a workforce."

Sabongi said many firms are looking for office/warehouse distribution points in smaller towns. A truck route around downtown is another plus, he said.

"Downtowns die only if there is nothing there to attract visitors," Sabongi said. "Truckers don't want to stop downtown. They want the open road."

He suggested opening the movie theater like the Princess in St. James that was refurbished to include a community center and council chamber in the rear of the building.

Jeff Pelzel, owner of Pelzel TV in downtown Sleepy Eye, said he was interested in an alternative truck route around downtown.

"Our downtown is noisy and dusty," Pelzel said.

Ron Geiger, who lives east of Sleepy Eye and works in New Ulm, said many of his investment customers from larger cities are amazed at how nice downtown New Ulm is and at how many arts and crafts shops are there.

Sabongi showed slides of projects his firm did in Red Wing, Montevideo, Olivia and the Twin Cities. All of his projects included attractive paint schemes, new awnings, signs, lighting and glass.

"Making old buildings attractive again increases foot traffic and improves business," Sabongi said. "No-maintenance, plastic signs are very popular along with globe lamps and hanging baskets."

Shannon Schutz of Sleepy Eye said he was amazed at what was done in Montevideo, where he lived for five years.

Sabongi said one major project can get the ball rolling.

"People see somebody fixing up their building and they like it, so they do it too," Sabongi said. "Outdoor cafes with chairs, tables and umbrellas are springing up where old, obsolete buildings once stood, next to restaurants.

Brian Mathiowetz asked Sabongi how he could change attitudes.

Sabongi said he couldn't do that. He could only show examples and be part of the process if people decide to work with him.

"You can't be a New Ulm or Red Wing, so don't even try. Create your own identity and go with it," Sabongi said.

Greg Roiger suggested something other than a city parking lot, perhaps a park at the intersection of highway 4 and 14.

Sabongi suggested something be done with the parking lot to disguise it.

Sleepy Eye City Councilman Harry Windschitl said the council is open to whatever would make downtown renovation go.

"Attitudes need to change so people want to live and shop in Sleepy Eye," Windschitl said.

Dennis Cummiskey said Highway 14 is an asset, but people need a reason to stop in Sleepy Eye. He suggested a popcorn wagon be used.

Sabongi said he will hold three more workshops in the near future.

Larry Dobson presented four pages of community development proposals. His ideas were not discussed at the meeting but Sabongi said his proposal was available on a table outside the cafeteria.

Dobson said Sleepy Eye experienced one of the most dramatic declines in downtown business in Minnesota during the 1990s.

"The future success of the community requires the restoration of our downtown with service and retail businesses that meet the needs of area residents," Dobson said. "We need to develop a magnet to attract tourists and visitors. I proposed a community cultural center as such a magnet."

The cultural center in The Palace building would include an exhibit hall, classrooms, a theater, cultural store, coffee and snack shop, woodworking shop, set-building and storage areas. The cultural center would attract local and regional students, adults and families, tourists and craftspersons.

Dobson said funding would come from exhibit and performance fees, store and shop sales, classes, workshops and camps, grants, bequests and arts and crafts donations.

He proposed a three-level parking ramp on the Lowther law office property and a business growth center in the now empty former Chief Hotel. The growth center would include a roof greenhouse, apartments, community business office suites, restaurant with rear deck outdoor seating, retail space and lobby.

The basement of the building would house storage, a dance and health studios. The rear of the building would have a resident parking garage and deck.

Dobson also proposed developing hiking and biking trails around Sleepy Eye Lake and the Minnesota River.