![Mayor Addresses Space Shuttle Plans During State of the City](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/04/attachment-Space-Shuttle.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Mayor Addresses Space Shuttle Plans During State of the City
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- For the second year in a row, St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis devoted a significant amount of time during his State of City Address to talking about downtown.
He says there are plans in motion to bring a replica of a space shuttle to a new home at the current Lady Slipper parking lot.
Hopefully, we're going to have a Space Shuttle. I wasn't supposed to announce that but the Governor said something. Felicity-John Pederson owns a Space Shuttle, how many people do you know that own a Space Shuttle? He's going to bring it to St. Cloud to get it downtown close to the Children's Museum. What an attraction.
Currently, the replica is located near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Pederson estimates that the move would cost about a million dollars and could potentially take place before the end of this year.
Kleis says he also wants to commission some artwork for the 9th Avenue bridge under Highway 23 near Lake George.
It will draw you in to Lake George. Similar to what we did at the River's Edge, you see the river and then what is underneath the river. This would be great to see what's in the lake, the wildlife, and the nature, and then a little bit of history of the lake.
Kleis says in just the past 12 months over 27 businesses have either opened or expanded in downtown St. Cloud.
He says a recent survey suggests 70 percent of millennials want to live in an urban walkable community, but less than one percent of central Minnesota currently offers that. He's continuing to push for the creation of 1,000 new housing units downtown.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
St. Cloud area lawmakers have also asked for $100 million in state bonding money to help with improvements to downtown.
READ RELATED ARTICLES
- Minnesota's Weather Outlook for April
- Music Line Up Announced for Wood Fired Wednesdays
- Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota In the Past Week
- Brady DeGagne Dancing for B&G Club SMART Girls Program
- Radiothon Raises Over $34,000 For Quiet Oaks Hospice House
LOOK: Highest-Rated Museums in Minnesota, According to TripAdvisor
Gallery Credit: Stacker
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Support And Unity: Sherburne County Leaders Condemn Violence In Political Disagreements](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Trump-AssassinationAttempt-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man’s Body Found After Jumping From Veterans Bridge](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/04/70240401_954648994892156_1160412640535642112_n-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Little Falls Man Hurt After Motorcycle Crash Friday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/05/Mayo-Ambulance-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![See What Happens When The Sun Goes Down At Sleepover Safari](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-tiger.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Two Hurt in Stearns County Crash Near St. Rosa](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Crash-with-Injuries.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota, 24 Other States Enter $82 Million Settlement with Abra and CEO Over Licensing Violations](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-rock-staar-NzIV4vOBA7s-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Detour In Effect on Highway 23 Between Milaca and Bock](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/04/attachment-Hwy-23-Milaca-to-Ogilvie.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![80s Christian Pop Star Coming To Minnesota This Fall](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-621809252.jpg?w=980&q=75)