City seeks input on downtown project
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FAIRMONT-- Easier parking? Outdoor dining? Greenspace? The city of Fairmont is in the midst of seeking public input on potential downtown improvements via a survey. The survey, which can be taken online from a desktop or cell phone, went live late this week and will stay up until Sept. 11.
Improving certain aspects of the downtown has been a goal of the city council's for quite some time. Several years ago some money was set aside for sidewalk, lighting and other landscaping improvements and in 2024 the council sent out a Request for Proposals, which was later revised in 2025 to include ADA accessibility, beautification features and stormwater quality improvements.
In February of this year council approved working with Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH) and in July a steering committee made up of city and SEH staff, council members and downtown business representatives began meeting bi-weekly to discuss ideas and priorities.
Now, broader community input is being sought. Public Works Director, Matthew York, explained why that's important.
"Community input is essential because any changes to the downtown area should reflect what residents truly need and value. While some aspects of the project are fixed or limited by design standards, we are working closely with SEH to distinguish the needs from the wants," York explained. "Understanding the community's priorities helps us decide which optional improvements can realistically be included in the final plan."
The project area spans across the downtown area, Main Street to Park Street and Blue Earth Avenue to 4th Street. There are some infrastructure improvements that need to be part of the project in that area.
"The most critical, non‑negotiable improvement in this plan is accessibility," York said. "Our downtown must be welcoming and usable for all residents, regardless of ability. Ensuring safe, accessible and convenient access is foundational to the success of any other improvement."
With that said, the survey asks for input on a variety of items and asks what would encourage you to spend more time downtown, whether it be local retail shopping, outdoor dining, public art, easier parking, better lighting and/or a cleaner appearance. It also gauges interest for utilizing public spaces for events and festivals, farmers' markets, outdoor dining and/or greenspace.
The survey will be live through Sept. 11 and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 10, there will be a community workshop and open house at the Southern Minnesota Educational Campus (SMEC) building, to further discuss plans and gather input.
The survey comments and feedback from the open house will be discussed by the steering committee at its meeting on Sept. 16.
Cost estimates should be available by early October. York said that $1.2 million was included in the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the project but that nothing else is set aside in the budget at this point for it.
At this point, the city and those involved in the project just want to gather community input. The survey can be accessed through a link found on the city's website at fairmont.org. It can also be found via a QR code.
Various businesses downtown will also have flyers about the survey, including the QR code, available and there will soon be decals throughout downtown with the QR code on them, too.
The survey just takes several minutes to complete and York hopes that community members take the time to share their thoughts.
"We're looking for honest, constructive feedback about what downtown Fairmont needs in order to better serve the community," he said. "This includes identifying areas that could enhance living, working and overall prosperity. We are fortunate to have many strong businesses downtown, and understanding what residents and visitors value will help us support those businesses and continue building a vibrant, successful downtown."