first on decorahnews.com: Open Streets celebration for June has been cancelled, but fall Open Streets still being planned

Two weeks ago, the Decorah City Council did not approve a request to close three blocks of Water Street for an Open Streets observance in June.  City council member suggested the application be revised and resubmitted at Monday night's city council meeting, but that did not happen.

Decorah Open Streets organizer David Paquette says despite that, Open Streets is not dead and gone, it's just in a re-planning phase. Says Paquette, "I am committed to making sure this event moves forward and hopeful for a fall event."

Paquette says planning an Open Streets event takes a lot of time and energy from many dedicated community members.  He says all are welcome and encouraged to participate in the planning.  If you're interested, contact Paquette at david@energydistrict.org

The request by Open Streets to close part of Water Street met with opposition from some Water Street businesses.opposition.  Paquette says he wants to work with the business community: "This event has a tremendous amount of potential to boost the vibrancy and economic vitality of the business district if and only if the business district is willing to participate."