Author: City of Decorah

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, timed to Monday, May 15 event

Decorah Historic Preservation Commission

Contact: Mark Z. Muggli, DHPC Chair (historicpreservation@decorahia.org; 612-720-5795)

May 15 DHPC Historic Preservation Award Ceremony for Vesterheim and Depot

Decorah, IA (May 4, 2023) — The Decorah Historic Preservation Commission (DHPC) invites the public to a Monday, May 15, 4:30-6:00 pm award celebration of the Vesterheim Museum and of the Depot Outlet. The gathering will be held at Vesterheim’s Painter Mill outdoor gathering space, with the Amdal-Odland Center as a rain location. DHPC will provide light refreshments.

Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

 Vesterheim is being celebrated for its imaginative, publicly-accessible Heritage Park landscaping, which has reinvigorated the Museum’s historic building collection.

Hayley Jackson, DHPC vice-chair, said, “Because of the new landscaping, Vesterheim’s Heritage Park now tells a more dramatic and coherent story about the immigrant experience. We are especially excited that the landscaping highlights the Dayton House’s unique architectural contribution to Decorah’s commercial district.”

Vesterheim’s President/CEO Chris Johnson said, “On behalf of Vesterheim’s board, staff, and volunteers, I would like to express heartfelt appreciation to the Decorah Historic Preservation Commission for this award. Thanks also to DHPC for guidance during the planning of Vesterheim Heritage Park. Their feedback helped make it a stronger project.”

The Depot Outlet

The Depot Outlet is being celebrated for its long-standing and wide-ranging support of local historic preservation–perhaps stimulated by its beginnings in its namesake, the 1888 Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul downtown train depot.

DHPC member Kathy Buzza said, “The Depot is a unique Decorah institution. In addition to providing a recycling outlet for used goods, the Depot has been unwaveringly supportive of Winneshiek County’s many historically-focused organizations. We’re especially pleased to give this award during the Depot’s 50th year.”

The Depot store director Jessica O’Mara expressed her appreciation for the DHPC award. “We are so happy that we have been able to provide support to Winneshiek County organizations for the past 50 years and look forward to continuing our support for the next 50!”

The Commission

DHPC chair Mark Z. Muggli noted that historic preservation awards often celebrate individuals who have rehabilitated historic properties. “This year’s awards,” noted Muggli, “hint at the wide range of conditions necessary for effective  historic preservation, including everything from generous funding to imaginative landscaping.”

The Decorah Historic Preservation Commission is a state-certified city board established in 2007 to promote the public’s educational and economic welfare through the recognition and enhancement of historic sites. A complete list of DHPC’s annual awards is at Award Recipients – City of Decorah Iowa. Contact: historicpreservation@decorahia.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Street Department

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

City of Decorah to Offer Loading Days at Yard Waste Site

Decorah, IA (April 28, 2023) – The City of Decorah will be offering several opportunities for free loading of compost and wood chips at the City’s Yard Waste Disposal Site located on Trout Run Road.

The City will have an end loader at the Yard Waste Site on Friday, May 5^th from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM and on Saturday, May 6^th from 7:30 AM to 12 noon.

The City will also have an end loader at the Yard Waste Site on Friday, May 12^th from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM and Saturday, May 13^th from 7:30 AM to 12 noon.

The giveaway is available to residents and non-residents of the City of Decorah.

Please contact the Street Department at 382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Street Department

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

Multiple Upcoming Street Closures

Decorah, IA (April 27, 2023) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that there will be several upcoming street closures. The closures are outlined below:

• Starting the morning of Friday, April 28^th, Park Street will be closed near the entrance to Phelps Park. Residents who want to access the park will be directed to Vernon Street. The closure is expected to last until the end of the day on Friday, April 28^th.
• Starting the morning of Monday, May 1^st, Short Street will be closed near the intersection of Short Street and Division Street. Traffic will be detoured around the closure. The closure is expected to last until Wednesday, May 3^rd. The closure is to allow for a concrete patch to be repaired.
• Starting the morning of Monday, May 1^st, Pleasant Avenue will be under construction from Day Street to the Hwy 9 bridge. Local traffic will still be allowed through the construction zone, but residents are encouraged to find an alternative route. The construction project is expected to last for several weeks.
• Starting the morning of Monday, May 1^st, the intersection of Day Street and Pleasant Avenue will be closed. The closure is expected to last until Friday, May 5^th. The closure is to allow for a concrete patch to be repaired.

Residents are encouraged to find alternative routes during these construction projects. The timing of each closure will be dependent on weather conditions and contractor schedules.

Please call the Street Department at 563-382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #

City Of Decorah: Tree City USA Recipient

DES MOINES – The City of Decorah  was recently honored with the 2022 Tree City USA Award at the 32nd Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources April 12th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.

“The Tree City USA award is a symbol for communities who have made a commitment to the management of public trees,” says state forester Jeff Goerndt. “Your community has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa communities by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.”

Decorah was one of 74 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA status. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, have either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have a tree planting and maintenance plan.

From L-R in the picture: Kayla Lyon, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Scott Timm, Chair of the Decorah Tree Board, Sam Hogenson, Decorah City Forester, and Jeff Goerndt, State Forester.

Media contact: Emma Hanigan, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, at 515-249-1732.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Street Department

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

Multiple Street and Lane Closures Occurring the Week of April 17^th

Decorah, IA (April 14, 2023) – The City of Decorah is notifying residents that there will be several street and lane closures occurring the week of April 17^th. The closures are outlined below:

• Starting the morning of Monday, April 17^th, the intersection of Day Street and Pearl Street will be closed to traffic. The closure is expected to last until Monday, April 24^th. The closure is to allow for the intersection to be re-paved.
• Starting the morning of Monday, April 17^th, a portion of the southbound lane of Washington Street near the intersection of Railroad Avenue will be closed. Traffic will still be able to move through the intersection during construction. The closure is expected to last until Friday, April 21^st. The closure is to allow for a concrete patch to be repaired.
• Starting at 8 AM on Tuesday, April 18^th, Water Street between Mechanic Street and Mill Street will be closed. The closure is expected to last until Friday, April 21^st. Traffic will be detoured to Heivly Street. The closure is to allow for work to occur on the Vesterheim Commons building.
• Starting on Tuesday, April 18^th, the easternmost northbound lane of College Drive in front of the new Kwik Star site will be closed. The closure is expected to last until Friday, April 21^st. The closure is to allow for construction of utility work associated with the new Kwik Star building.

Residents are encouraged to find alternative routes during these construction projects. The timing of each closure will be dependent on weather conditions and contractor schedules.

Please call the Street Department at 563-382-2157 with any questions.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Decorah Street Department

Press Contact: Jeremy Bril, City Engineer, 563-382-2157

Yard Waste Site Keys Available at City Hall Starting April 7^th

Decorah, IA (April 4, 2023) – The City of Decorah is announcing that starting on Friday, April 7^th, keys will be available for residents who want to access the City’s Yard Waste Site. Keys must be checked out from City Hall. City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Please note that City Hall will be closing at 11:30 AM on Friday, April 7^th.

The City is expecting to have set open hours for the Yard Waste Site starting sometime within the next few weeks.

As a reminder, any yard waste that is deposited at the Yard Waste Site must originate from within the Decorah City Limits.

This is an official city press release.  Modifications of any kind are prohibited without express written consent of the author.  Any reprint or broadcast of this information must include this entire communication.

# # #