Wasn’t it all worth it?

Albert Lea had to put up with renovations downtown in 2013. People couldn’t park in front of businesses. Drivers had to take alternate routes. Customers had to enter through the back doors. And downtown property owners had to pay a pretty penny to foot a good chunk of the bill. Citywide taxpayers pitched in, too. So did statewide taxpayers. The total price tag for the downtown work and renovation of Fountain Lake Park was $4.5 million.

But look at downtown Albert Lea and Fountain Lake Park now. The two are gorgeous and more tied together than ever. How fortunate Albert Leans are to have a cultural center. Many cities failing to prop up their downtowns are becoming doughnut cities. A doughnut city is growing businesses on the periphery but the center is declining.

What keeps a downtown successful is the feeling of it being the place to see and be seen in a community. People should be curious about what is the latest thing going on downtown. They are drawn by the constant activity.

Between the streetscape improvements, the revamped park, the upcoming changes to the Freeborn National Bank building, upscale gathering spots such as a classy bar and a swanky coffee shop and the spike in attractions at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center and North Broadway parking lot, downtown movers and shakers deserve credit. Let’s not forget how the American Legion is a useful banquet hall and the retailers do a fine job specializing in customer service. Kudos all around.

Downtown sure has improved in the last decade, especially the past five years. It has class.

The impact it has on the customers and out-of-towners is remarkable — in that people remark when they experience it. And the impact of the improvements will be felt on the quality of life for Albert Leans will be felt for at least a generation and probably for two.

Wasn’t it all worth it? It sure was.