ST. CLOUD - St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis says the city is moving forward with a new brand and logo, in an effort to re-invent itself.  The brand "St. Cloud: Greater" was developed during a year-long process last year, and was unveiled last October.

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Kleis says they'll now use that brand to help with business development, tourism, and to increase civic pride.

For years St. Cloud has had the unofficial slogan as "the Granite City", but this is the first time in the city's 158-year history that it's had an official brand.

On Transportation:
Transportation was a key point in Mayor Kleis' 9th annual "State of The City" address today (Tuesday).

He highlighted the airport successes with Allegiant and United air service.

He also talked about St. Cloud Metro Bus and their coming conversion to a compressed natural gas bus fleet.

And Kleis also announced a goal of renovating the Amtrak train station and the area along the railroad tracks.

However Kleis didn't offer any specific renovation plans, or how it would be paid for.

On Friedrich's Park:
Kleis recycled a project idea that he first talked about in his second 'State Of The City' back in 2006.  He wants to work with St. Cloud State University to reopen Friedrich's Park Quarry in southeast St. Cloud.

The property is owned by SCSU.

Kleis says it used to be open to the public and was a popular swimming destination, until it was closed by the university in the 1970s.

On The Downtown:
Downtown St. Cloud was a highlighted region in Mayor Kleis' "State Of The City" address today (Thursday). He says it's big news when restaurants close, but the fact is there are many more restaurants downtown than there was just a few years ago.

Kleis also talked about the completion of the River's Edge Convention Center ramp, which he hopes will be included in this year's final bonding bill at the state legislature.

Kleis was first elected St. Cloud Mayor in November of 2005.  He ran unopposed in 2008 and 2012.  This was his 9th 'State Of The City" address.

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