St . Croix Valley COMMUNITY GUIDE 2024
St . Croix Valley COMMUNITY GUIDE 2024
Chestnut Plaza construction complete
Plans for Chestnut Plaza , the new pedestrian area between Main Street and the lift bridge , began in 2020 . Those plans got significantly delayed by the pandemic . In 2022 , plans ramped back up . From mid-July through mid-September 2023 , portions of Main Street were closed to traffic to allow for necessary construction and work on utilities .
Because Main Street is part of State Highway 95 , the Minnesota Department of Transportation is who shuts down Main Street ; the city does not have the power to do so .
Residents and business owners took advantage of this once-in-alifetime opportunity to recreate a scene from Stillwater history .
As some businesses in downtown Stillwater were seeing a dip in business due to the construction and redirection of pedestrian and
vehicle traffic , this opportunity also allowed businesses to remind residents and visitors that businesses were remaining open through the construction .
In 1901 , Frederick Holcombe took a photograph of a Stillwater street dance . A huge banner spanned across Main Street with the words “ Dance here ” in all caps . Under the banner was a stage with a band playing . People were dressed up with big , ornate hats , men in ties and women in long skirts .
On Aug . 5 , 2023 , with the banner recreated , disco balls hanging , a line-up of musical acts , and a whole lot of fancy hats , photographers took to the roofs of downtown businesses to recreate the historic photo .
Chestnut Plaza officially opened for pedestrian use in June while renovations were still underway .
On Sept . 19 , the city issued the 28th and final update on the construction at Chestnut Plaza : Construction was complete and Main Street reopened .
On May 18 , 2024 , the city , in partnership with the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce , will host a celebration of the opening of Chestnut Plaza , called “ Dine Here Dance Here .”
The city had planned to host a similar “ Dine Here ” event in 2020 . Finally , they are able to serve two scheduled dinners on the lift bridge . In conjunction , the Chamber will host another “ Dance Here ” event , with live music for dancing on Chestnut Plaza and setting ambiance for the dinner on the lift bridge .
Mayor Ted Kozlowski said that MnDOT had to approve use of the bridge for dinner , so this event may be the only formal dinner on the lift bridge .
22 | St . Croix Valley | Community Guide 2024