Lulaine Henderson arrived early for the state Highway 22 ribbon cutting ceremony Saturday morning, saying she wouldn’t have missed it for anything. She ducked into City Hall to keep warm on a chilly morning that sent others back to their vehicles searching for hats and gloves before the start of the outdoor ceremony.
Henderson, 91, an Oconto Falls resident for 60 years, was among the 100-plus people gathered to celebrate the end of two seasons of construction in Oconto Falls.
“The band, the cheerleaders — it was nice,” she said of the ribbon-cutting event organized by the Oconto Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
The celebration began with a flag raising and speeches, and ended with a ribbon cutting and walk on a segment of the 1.6-mile “new” Highway 22 from City Hall to the Oconto Falls Community Library.
“It’s a good improvement in the city,” Henderson said.
Oconto Falls resident Sue Malingowski called it a “much needed face lift” for Oconto Falls.
“Main Street is a lot wider. It’s very nice,” she added.
“As a business owner, I can’t wait until it’s finished,” said David Witt, co-owner of Witt’s Piggly Wiggly.
Amy Dessart, chairman of the Oconto Falls Library Board, said she hopes library patrons will return to the library now that construction is ending. The library experienced a steep drop in circulation, and circulation is one factor considered in the formula for library funding. While the check-out of materials had been rising previous to the start of street reconstruction, the library recorded 7,000 fewer check-outs so far in 2015 and 4,000 fewer in 2014.
“Everyone should come in and check out 20 books,” Dessart said.
The final barrels and barricades are scheduled to be removed Wednesday on Highway 22, so the chamber was a few days premature with its party. That didn’t seem to bother Tina Olson, who’s new to Oconto Falls and plans to open a health and wellness business at 130 N. Main St., in the heart of the downtown business district where Highway 22 has been redeveloped.
“I think it’s great to see such community support,” she said, describing Saturday’s celebration.
Colleen Harris, regional deputy director of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said community spirit was evident as she arrived at City Hall, where she addressed the audience.
“This is a significant investment of Oconto Falls’ transportation infrastructure. It’s a $4 million project, funded through federal, state and local sources,” Harris said.
She said the city will benefit from several aspects of the construction project including a better surface for driving, accommodations for bicyclists, new sidewalks and colored crosswalks.
“It truly is a beautiful roadway reconstruction project, and we’re very proud of it,” she said.
State Sen. Tom Tiffany, in his remarks, said new infrastructure is vital for residents and businesses in the city and for those visiting Oconto Falls for business or recreation.
“It’s always much more attractive when you have something like this. People view this as a community that is moving forward when you have infrastructure projects like this,” he said.
“We have a lot to celebrate with this brand new highway,” City Administrator Vicki Roberts told the audience.
In thanking the residents of the city and business owners, she acknowledged the two years of struggle for those traveling through the city. Utility work occurred from August to December 2014, and the streets were patched and bumpy until street reconstruction followed in 2015. The street work was undertaken in phases, beginning in May, with street closures and detours limiting access through the city.
“This has been grueling, inconvenient and difficult, but we can now move forward and enjoy this beautiful new road,” Roberts said.
Gail Yatso, chamber of commerce president, spoke of the chamber’s objectives: to be an advocate for business interests and to promote business development, city beautification and tourism. She said the Highway 22 project encompassed the last three objectives. It helped create a business district that is vital, safe, easily accessible and active. Sidewalks, colored crosswalks and landscaping add to beauty of the city, and the new street looks inviting to tourists.
“As you can see, our city now says ‘Welcome to Oconto Falls,’” she said.
Local and state dignitaries and owners of businesses in the construction zone cut the ribbon, signifying that Oconto Falls is once again open for business.
The color scheme for the day was orange, evident in the color of state Sen. Tiffany’s necktie, the construction vest of Mayor Brad Rice and the boas worn by members of the planning committee. Regina Clark, daughter of committee member Dawn Clark, of NSight Telservices, posed for photos while dressed in a koala bear costume and orange NSight T-shirt.
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