Construction may have caused headaches for those wanting to get downtown this summer, but there's plenty of reasons to make the effort.
One notable project worthy of applause is the Monroe Theatre Guild's recently completed facelift to the former JC Penney building just off the downtown Square. The stylish new facade, complete with a theater marquee sign, complements renovations inside the building to present a long-awaited permanent home for the theater group.
MTG volunteers have clearly been working hard on not only the renovation project, but also on the group's education offerings. The group hosts a wide variety of visual and performing arts classes and workshops geared for young children, teens, adults and families. These opportunities are a welcome addition to our community.
If enjoying the MTG's renovation project wasn't enough to encourage more downtown visitors, Monroe Main Street stepped up its efforts by taking a walk on the wild side this summer. Since June, giant animals, crafted from wood by local chainsaw artist Zoli, have graced the four sides of the Square. There's a giraffe, penguins, zebra, octopus and many others - a complete menagerie of animal statuary.
The result has charmed residents and visitors, young and old, alike. The whimsical display is just unexpected enough to turn a simple stroll around the Square into a mini adventure for the whole family.
Another artful endeavor - Main Street's Concert on the Square series - continues to be a boost to attracting people downtown. The weather hasn't always been cooperative (this is Wisconsin, after all) and has forced several of the concerts indoors. But it's a laudable effort to make the downtown a fun, thriving destination nonetheless. (The concert series concludes for the summer Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. and forecasters are calling for pleasant summer conditions.)
We're encouraged by these family-friendly efforts, largely propelled by volunteers, to attract people to the downtown Square area. It's the type of momentum needed to continue to strengthen the draw of downtown, and make it truly the community showcase it deserves to be.
One notable project worthy of applause is the Monroe Theatre Guild's recently completed facelift to the former JC Penney building just off the downtown Square. The stylish new facade, complete with a theater marquee sign, complements renovations inside the building to present a long-awaited permanent home for the theater group.
MTG volunteers have clearly been working hard on not only the renovation project, but also on the group's education offerings. The group hosts a wide variety of visual and performing arts classes and workshops geared for young children, teens, adults and families. These opportunities are a welcome addition to our community.
If enjoying the MTG's renovation project wasn't enough to encourage more downtown visitors, Monroe Main Street stepped up its efforts by taking a walk on the wild side this summer. Since June, giant animals, crafted from wood by local chainsaw artist Zoli, have graced the four sides of the Square. There's a giraffe, penguins, zebra, octopus and many others - a complete menagerie of animal statuary.
The result has charmed residents and visitors, young and old, alike. The whimsical display is just unexpected enough to turn a simple stroll around the Square into a mini adventure for the whole family.
Another artful endeavor - Main Street's Concert on the Square series - continues to be a boost to attracting people downtown. The weather hasn't always been cooperative (this is Wisconsin, after all) and has forced several of the concerts indoors. But it's a laudable effort to make the downtown a fun, thriving destination nonetheless. (The concert series concludes for the summer Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. and forecasters are calling for pleasant summer conditions.)
We're encouraged by these family-friendly efforts, largely propelled by volunteers, to attract people to the downtown Square area. It's the type of momentum needed to continue to strengthen the draw of downtown, and make it truly the community showcase it deserves to be.
