Fritzes Present Solar-Powered Pavilion and Market Plaza Proposal to Council

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. DECORAH — Jim and Liz Fritz on Monday presented a plan to convert North Alley into a solar-powered performance pavilion and market plaza, telling the Decorah City Council the project would add greenspace, create a modern performance venue and operate with long-term financial sustainability through solar energy. The proposed "Pavilion Market Plaza" would be located east of River Street between Day Spring Lane and Heivly Street. During their 15-minute presentation, the couple said Decorah lacked downtown greenspace and argued that green spaces "significantly enhance public health, environmental sustainability and the local economy." They also said the city lacked "a performance space that reflects the talent and vibrance of our community," describing the Phelps Park gazebo as historically important but not suitable as a contemporary venue. Rendering of a canopied farmers market area The proposal includes a central green space, an outdoor performance pavilion, a canopied farmers market area, public restrooms and adjacent playground areas. They described the project as privately funded and said it would be designed to complement the surrounding downtown architecture while maximizing use of what they characterized as underutilized space. A major component of the plan involves solar generation. Jim Fritz said both the pavilion roof and the farmers market canopy would utilize waterproof solar arrays. According to figures presented, the pavilion would generate approximately 31.3 kilowatts of electricity, producing up to 45,000 kilowatt-hours annually, while the market canopy would generate approximately 182 kilowatts, producing up to 250,000 kilowatt-hours per year. The couple said energy production could offset long-term maintenance and management costs and that restrooms would be conditioned by solar-powered heat pumps. They added that about 90% of solar components would be made in the United States. Funding was another focus of council questions. The Fritzes said donations would be processed through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa and that they intended to create a private 501(c)(3) organization to manage fundraising. They said they would lead the effort with a $100,000 donation and that more than $300,000 in federal Inflation Reduction Act solar tax credits would be available before July 4, 2026. Their timeline projected potential construction beginning in spring 2027 and finishing by fall 2027, contingent on approvals and fundraising milestones. The couple said the proposal would remove 48 parking spaces but leave 57 spaces in the farmers market and Woolen Mill area. They said maximum attendance at district football games and commencement events could reach about 2,000 people, while typical school events might draw around 1,000. They noted that 50 parking spaces had been added at the new elementary school and that roughly 500 spaces were available around the school. They also said the lower Co-op lot historically rarely exceeds 35 parked cars, suggesting overall parking demand in the immediate area might not be as high as assumed. Council members expressed general excitement for the project but questioned the project's continued maintenance costs. Council member Steve Zittergruen sought assurance that the project aligned with the city's long-term goals. "I want to ensure that this project moves forward in a way that's aligned with the city's long-term fiscal commitments to the rest of our park system, and in a way that is responsible financially for maintaining an already pretty extensive investment," he said. He added that he hoped the Fritzes were right and that the project would never cost the city "anything ever," but wanted to make sure that was the case before fully committing. Council member Emily Neal expressed appreciation for the Fritzes' vision but echoed Zittergruen's concerns with the financial side of the plan. "It will cost the city something, and it will definitely cost time," she said. Despite reservations, she encouraged the council to proceed cautiously. "I think that there are questions that have to be answered." The Fritzes said the project would be secondary to the Heivly Street rebuild and new school construction and that they would coordinate with the city manager and engineer, meet all applicable codes and work with local contractors. They framed the proposal as a potential "synergy" with the Heivly project but acknowledged that city approval for use of the space and access to utilities would be required. No formal action was taken Monday. Council members did not vote on the proposal and indicated additional discussion and coordination would be necessary before any decision regarding use of the alley space. Be the first to know! Sign up for the free newsletter and unlock exclusive updates, breaking news, and tips from around the community.