Preston Historical Society president Sheila Craig updated the city council on its activities at the city council’s May 5 meeting.
The highlight is the beginning of the construction of the Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center which began on April 1, 2025. After the demolition of the interior, reconstruction has begun. The roof will be shingled later this week.
Craig explained community fundraising to this point has been mostly for the exterior of the building. A $10,000 grant has been received from the Minnesota Historical Society to do planning for displays.
All are invited to a Spaghetti Dinner on May 15 at the Preston United Methodist Church starting at 5 p.m. The meal will be prepared by Preston Foods. Freewill donations. Raffle tickets and brick sales information will be posted to help raise funds for the project. A brick will provide “permanent advertising” or a permanent memorial to honor someone in your life.
The 12th annual tractor ride will be held on September 13 and 14. This is the largest fund raiser for the PHS. Another $10,000 grant from the University of Minnesota is to be used for further development of the bicycle trail to Forestville State Park. There will be a three-community committee including Preston, Lanesboro and Harmony to collaborate on plans for completion of the trail to the park.
Preston Trout Route Project
Alison Leathers, Trout Route subcommittee chair, reviewed the proposal for the beautification of Preston project. The EDA was awarded $25,000 last year (Taylor Grant) to provide signage to direct visitors downtown and to improve Main St. pocket parks. A grant request to the Preston Area Community Foundation has been made to meet the matching funds requirement. The deadline to make use of the grant funds is October 30.
There are three main goals including signage updates, pocket parks, and the creation of a print and digital map which will list the community’s assets. A graphic designer will be hired to create the Trout Route map. Leathers said a block party/ribbon cutting is being planned for late September.
High school students will provide laser cut sheet metal art that will be placed on railings in the pocket parks. Pocket park improvements will include appropriate trees, new benches/picnic tables, and new trash cans. There will be signs in five places including a kiosk with map and information. A mesh banner at the tennis courts should be visible from Hwy 52.
Other Business in Brief
- In August 2024 the council approved the purchase of the chassis for a new plow truck. Equipment for the plow truck will cost $143,241. This day approval was granted to use $116,575 of Street Maintenance funds to cover the cost of the plow truck equipment that exceeds equipment reserves.
- Michelle Marotzke was appointed to the position of Economic Development Director. She was one of three candidates interviewed by EDA committee members from both Preston and Lanesboro. The committee recommended her hire effective May 26. She has EDA and municipal utility experience. Her current employment is with Kandiyohi County/Willmar EDA; she has a Master’s in Business Administration. Preston EDA has approved her appointment, and Lanesboro EDA has approved an amendment to the contract for hiring costs.
- A purchase agreement with Dwight and Amy Luhmann for the sale of the cemetery northern section has been executed.
- New windows have been installed in the library and city hall.
- LaVerne and Denise Paulson will be the 2025 Grand Marshals for the Trout Days parade.