[Winona] EXCELLENT post I cut-n-pasted from Winona net Regardingthe present

Tue Jun 19 17:26:14 CDT 2007

The Wilkie was only a replica when I first came to Winona.  I admit that it 
has mostly been disappointing, but only because the potential was/is 
obvious.

I don't understand how having a replica steamboat (in excellent condition, 
of course, with hours open) detracts from a park-like feeling at the levy.  
Nor do I see it as taking up valuable parking spaces (I am so sick of 
hearing about down town parking).

But then, my vision is somewhat askew.  I also don't understand why Winona 
is home to a MARITIME museum.  A river museum, yes, but other than as a tax 
payer subsidized vanity piece/tax write-off for a wealthy Winonan/former 
senator, why do we have a maritime art museum that many have complained to 
me that they cannot afford to visit?

Were I a boater from out of town, I would be drawn to the 
Wilkie--disappointed that it didn't offer more, but that's a different 
problem.  A pavillion?  However nicely decorated would not draw me in.  And 
the site of all of the HBC satellite dishes would simply convince me that 
Winona had not a single clue about anything to do with making the city 
attractive for the natives, not to mention visitors.  Don't get me started 
on the  weeds.

I agree that it is a shame that there are not more and better eating choices 
on the river front, or in Winona, as a community.

Terri Hyle

>From: "c.e. woodford" <lotustrail at yahoo.com>
>To: winona forum winona forum <winona at mnforum.org>
>Subject: [Winona] EXCELLENT post I cut-n-pasted from Winona net 
>Regardingthe present and future of Winona's waterfront
>Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:21:43 -0700 (PDT)
>
>[Winona Online Democracy]
>

>I am not against the Wilkie. I loved the real boat and thought it was a 
>true attraction. I was deeply saddened when it burned. All of this happened 
>before I moved here.
>
>When the replica was built, at first I thought: What a neat community to 
>rally around their city's symbol and construct a replica of what they lost.
>
>I have loved Winona and been a regular visitor for well over 25 years 
>before I moved here 11 years ago. During that time, I had the opportunity 
>to vacation here for 6 weeks at a time, twice a year. Spent a lot of time 
>fishing. I tried to visit the new Wilkie numerous times during my 
>vacations. Even before it was rotted and eventually closed permanently, it 
>was seldom open and disappointing when "boarded".
>
>I can't remember the last time it was open but I had breakfast aboard it 
>one time with out of town friends. Nobody was impressed because it was run 
>down and dirty.
>
>Construction was obviously poor, the reflecting pool was drained or leaked 
>and it became just a big, closed building to those on shore.
>
> >From the river it still looks very cool. But should we try to attract 
>boaters to visit it when it is not open? No. Should we rebuild it? Not with 
>the way it was going to be done. Should we put something up that can 
>actually sustain itself and serve both locals and tourists? Probably.
>
>Returning the park like setting to the levee would be preferable to the 
>rotting hulk blocking the view of the river. And if the group had been 
>successful at raising the money to refurbish the building, how much would 
>they have to make to maintain it over the years to avoid being right back 
>where we are now?
>
>The bottom line is the city owns it. They should determine what its status 
>should be or if they want to invest money into its repair, maintenance, 
>staffing and use or if they want to raze it. Where did the money come from 
>to build the replica? If it was tax dollars then the taxpayers should have 
>a vote. If it was private donations and then given to the city, the city 
>owns it now with no strings.
>
>Is the Wilkie our main concern?
>
>There is no good connection between the river and Winona. No reason for 
>boaters to stop here. I am a boater and nothing is as it should be to draw 
>passing boats or local boat traffic. It is not inviting or friendly 
>feeling.
>
>You can call the pizza joint by radio or phone from your boat. But why, the 
>food sucks and the place is dirty. The circus looking sandwich/ice cream 
>shop on the levee is over priced and just not that great. Walking to town 
>for another sandwich or mediocre meal is the boater's alternative.
>
>Steamboat Days is currently in progress and there is nothing to invite a 
>boater to join the party. You can see the tent tops but that's it. If we 
>had a large steel pavilion matching the round footprint and occupying the 
>patio in front of the Wilkie (and where the Wilkie currently sits) a stage, 
>food vendors (and their trailers) as well as others could occupy that 
>space, out of the sun and VISIBLE TO THE RIVER. A year 'round nautical 
>theme could be the decor, not require staffing, heating, cooling, elevators 
>and very little maintenance.
>
>We wouldn't lose so many precious parking parking spaces either.
>
>How many other uses could a structure of this type be available for is only 
>limited by imagination. It would accommodate lots of people for weddings 
>and other events that would pay the city for the use of it. Just like 
>Goodview does with their pavilion except we would be right on the river and 
>have a spectacular view.
>
>Instead, our Steamboat Days occupies parking spaces need by businesses, 
>attendees see nothing of the river, the Wilkie is in the distance, away 
>from the party and not even thought of as having anything to do with the 
>celebration.
>
>Winona has created its own reputation amongst those who know the area. The 
>fake Wilkie, whether it remains or is razed, will have no affect on this 
>reputation because there is nothing else in town that people are really 
>interested in.
>
> >From the river, there is no signage for our new maritime museum. How many 
>other signs are there in town for it? Is there dockage by that attraction? 
>I haven't looked myself because I hate that long no wake zone in Winona and 
>avoid it when I can. I put in at ramps downstream from Winona. I guess the 
>city didn't figure people would just do that to avoid their concept of 
>slowing down the boats should make them stop in town.
>
>Call the locks on Ch 14 and you can make lockage less time consuming and 
>get to LaCrosse for a good meal. Why waste time in Winona?
>
>And for the short run, head downstream to Sullivan's. They cater to boaters 
>by picking them up at the marina and taking them back after dinner. Can you 
>ever imagine Winona trying to attract business like this? Sullivan's has 
>had success through its various owner's with progressive and service 
>oriented ideas as well as good food.
>
>But I did take guests upstream on Thursday and we saw the Thompson working 
>just below Fountain City. As we past her we took photos. It's a fine 
>looking vessel and I know from people who have worked on that boat that it 
>has some beautiful fittings and engine room.
>
>When Winona gets her, will we tell anyone how to find it by land or water? 
>Can Winona make a tourist attraction out of it? Winona has no clue how to 
>promote itself even when it has something of value.
>
>You pick up that newspaper devoted to visiting Winona and the GRSF is the 
>most mentioned, most advertised thing in it. Are we narrowing our views 
>down too much and focusing on the wrong thing for long term attractions? I 
>think so but I could also care less about artsy-fartsy Shakespeare theater 
>plays.
>
>I would rather see more festivals for the common man. Steamboat Days is a 
>carnival and cheap in its atmosphere so I just listen to the music and 
>enjoy a beer and some food away from that end of it. Victorian Fair failed 
>because it became stagnant over the years. Now called Heritage Days it has 
>dwindled in size and quality. This is because Winona thinks what it has 
>will ALWAYS be good enough. That's why it's dying. That's why it has its 
>reputation. That's why boaters pass us by. That is why highway travelers 
>keep on driving.
>
>The Wilkie was doomed by poor construction, poor promotion, poor event 
>planning, poor staffing. Winona is doomed for failure to provide new 
>construction, new promotions, new events, new plans and new thinking.
>
>River towns are full of history but when you look at SUCCESSFUL historical 
>river towns, they also offer modern ideas, exciting events and attractions 
>as well as good dining. That is where the tourism and the money is. We have 
>missed that concept completely and still cling to the idea that Shakespeare 
>and rotting hulls of old buildings and replicas will save us.
>
>So even though I live in Winona County only a few miles out of Winona, I 
>must travel up and down both sides of the river to more interesting towns 
>for dining and entertainment by car and boat. Seems as if most other folks 
>do the same. Guess those other towns are more interested in providing what 
>people really want.
>
>   Frank S
>
>
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