By: Linda on 7/12/09
I think that signs for Mc Donalds, Kwik Trip, Casey's, etc will still bring people to town. When I am traveling on an interstate I stop when I get hungry or need gas. I don't know what is down the road. As long as I have signs to show me what is available in the town I will stop. With everyone having GPS systems maps are being phased out. People no longer look at a map to see if it's a large town or not. I think that technology is critical to the survival of Waseca.

Waseca had the chance to get all the businesses that are in Owatonna. The city decided they didn't want them here and that really hurt Waseca. We could have been as big as Owatonna but since the City voted to not allow the businesses in town then it's the CITY'S fault.

I'm not going to miss the semi's that's for sure.

By: TheJuniper on 7/11/09
Maplewood park could be a gigantic tourist attraction, if properly maintained! I cringe at how there is so much raw potential there, but nobody seems to be willing to take advantage of it. I hope someone will get something together and do some work on it, like the goings-on at Trowbridge park.

By: onevoice on 7/10/09
Which brings us back to the "vision". What ever happened to the idea of having the largest Americian Flag displayed up at Maplewood Park? sigh....

By: edk on 7/10/09
Did anyone really stop in Janesville before the bypass on the way to Mankato? Probably not. I just went to Janesville two weeks ago for the sake of just going to Janesville. I think that will be the case with Waseca too. Most people will come to Waseca just to come to Waseca, not to stop because they are driving through or by it.

By: ymcwawa on 7/9/09
When's the last time anyone stopped in Janesville on their way to Mankato since the new road went in? Waseca will find itself in the same boat...I'm guessing you'll see a lot fewer convenience stores (like gas stations, etc) around town once Waseca gets bypassed. I wouldn't get too excited about how quiet its going to be...that silence is essentially lost commerce that will not be retained through marketing. Maybe the marketing committee should look into establishing some form of tribal government so we could apply to open a casino.

By: TheJuniper on 7/7/09
Considering how effect they've been lately... I think we'll end up somewhere between "severely struggling" and "doomed." I'm going to try and stay optimistic on this one, however, and do whatever I can to keep my job secure.

By: onevoice on 7/7/09
That's where we'll see the effectiveness of the Marketing Commitee.

By: needtoknow on 7/7/09
What businesses? When you drive down a 4 lane highway how many small towns do you stop and visit? Most people are in a hurry to get to their destination and are not on vacations to stop and see what is in a small town.

By: TheJuniper on 7/7/09
Do people realize how this is going to effect businesses in town? True, it will be nice to drive my son to school without waiting endlessly for semis to get out of the way, but at the same time, I fear that passer-bys will see the sign for Waseca and think that it is not worth stopping until they get to 35.

By: mrclm on 7/6/09
Wooohooo! Get it done! Can't wait for all the semi-truck traffic to be relocated to the highway south of town. Hopefully it'll reduce the 15 hour a day traffic jam at State and Elm downtown. And it'll be quieter in town! Unfortunately it won't be quiet if you live on the South side.