A salute to National 4-H Week inside
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Vol. 158, Issue 40
DCSD Board approves purchase of city-owned land for new school
Decorah, Iowa 52101 www.decorahnewspapers.com
One Section email: news@decorahnewspapers.com
A bold new era
City and school officials issue joint statement
The areas marked in red detail the land the Decorah Community School District plans to purchase from the City of Decorah for a proposed new elementary school. (submitted photo) By Roz Weis The Decorah Community School District (DCSD) Board of Directors met in a closed special session early Monday morning, Oct. 2, to discuss possible land acquisition for a new elementary school. After nearly an hour of discussion in closed session, board members reconvened and unanimously approved a purchase plan for city-owned property west of the current John Cline Elementary School for $1,975,000 for a proposed new elementary school. Board member Brian Petersburg made the motion to enter into the contract with the City of Decorah for the proposed
area west of the John Cline School and another area near the current baseball and softball fields on the north side of Claiborne Drive. Board member John Hjelle said, “We’ve had a good discussion and it has been going on for 16 years … after reviewing multiple, multiple sites, I think this is absolutely the best thing to do moving forward for the district.” “It won’t be just a school space,” Petersburg said, “it will be a community space.” Petersburg said conversations with city officials are ongoing
School
At its semi-monthly meeting Monday, Decorah City Council held a public hearing regarding the plans and bids for the city’s 2023 Miller Park Recreation Trail Improvement Project. Miller Park is historically the first park in Decorah, and the project focuses on improving the trail that runs through the park and connects to Blue Grass Drive and Pleasant Avenue. Improvements made would include removal of old pavement and replacing with asphalt or concrete, excavation and regrading, sidewalk repair/ repaving, storm sewer culverts, and seeding. No one came forth to speak. City Engineer Jeremy Bril recommended the first
phone: 563-382-4221
fax: 563-382-5949
Hundreds turned out for dedication of the new Vesterheim Commons in downtown Decorah Saturday, Sept. 30. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was the culmination of work which started back in April 2019 with the Strong Roots | Bold Future Campaign to Grow Vesterheim. Vesterheim’s Ruth Schultz and Chris Johnson extended a heartfelt “tussen takk” at the celebration of the dedication and ribbon-cutting.
LEFT- Ruth Schultz, Vesterheim Board of Trustees Chair, gave opening remarks during the dedication in downtown Decorah. MIDDLE- The facility was designed by renowned international architecture firm Snøhetta (with roots in Norway) and supported by Iowa-based BNIM, with a construction team of local companies. The 7,600-square foot facility spreads across the three levels and nearly an acre surrounding a landscaped patio. RIGHT- Darlene Fossum-Martin demonstrated traditional Scandinavian woodworking during the celebration. More inside. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)
Perfect weekend for art lovers
Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers.com
continued on page 8
City Council discussion includes Miller Park, streets, land sale, more By Denise Lana
Price One Dollar
Melissa Brown had fiber/weaving handwoven clothing and table linens on Rural Avenue, Decorah during the the NE Iowa Artists’ 26th Studio Tour Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
Visit us online - www.decorahnewspapers
part of the trail be concrete and the rest as asphalt or concrete. Three companies, Wicks Construction, Shift Companies, and Skyline Construction, submitted bids, with the lowest bid of $113,111.50 coming from Skyline. The council voted to award the contract to Skyline. Street issues Stop sign installation at the intersection of Broadway Street and Winnebago Street was discussed. Recent construction at the intersection consisted of bumping out the crosswalks to make pedestrians more visible as well as making the cross-
City Council continued on page 6
TOP- Deborah and Dan Fenn greeted Studio Tour guests at their farm north of Decorah. Fun and functional blown glass artwork was featured. ABOVE- Marlene Pins and Holly Foster have been enjoying the Studio Tour for more than 20 years. MIDDLE- Jeanine Scheffert showcased her painting/printmaking/paper jewelry at Seed Savers Exchange north of Decorah. RIGHT- Doug Cole shows off one of his wheel-thrown pottery pieces during the Studio Tour. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)
Luther College Homecoming is Oct. 6-8. Go Norse!