More Festoon Lights To Brighten Downtown St. Cloud

(KNSI) – Downtown St. Cloud is about to get lit up with festoon lights along St. Germain Street.

St. Cloud has approved hanging five blocks of festoon lights off the buildings between 10th Avenue and 5th Avenue on St. Germain Street.

St. Cloud Community Development Director Matt Glaesman says the city is analyzing where to hang the festoon lights.

“So really it’s the science behind the concept now that we’re really trying to figure out the details of what can be connected to what other building, but the objective is really to hit lights on each block, primarily focusing on those larger sidewalk stretches where folks can sit out and have meals, drinks, whatever, and enjoy the downtown environment.”

When the analysis is done, the city will have a better idea of what kind of lights can be hung.

He says the next step would be working with the building owner to get easements to allow the lights to be connected to the buildings.

Glaesman says the project has become popular with downtown visitors.

“It’s really amazing. Not only do we have local support, and people love the environment, and they go down, they enjoy that. But we get calls from other communities. How did you do that? And what was the partnership? Because they want to replicate it in their communities. So I think it’s really become a role model for downtown environment.”

He says the festoon lights will be up in late summer or early fall.

The lights are being paid for by donations from a group of local businesses and owners.

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