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Potosi Point tapped for $100,000 grant

Money from federal Scenic Byways program will pay for observation deck


By CRAIG D. REBER

Dubuque Telegraph Herald (Iowa)


December 10, 2008


POTOSI, Wis. -- Poland probably has nothing like the Potosi Point.

A Polish couple, touring the United States about two years ago, was taken to the Potosi Point -- which extends about three-quarters of a mile into the Mississippi River. Visitors are as far out as they can be in the Mississippi without actually being in a boat. It's a popular combination bird-wildlife watching site.

"They get back to Poland, and they tell people the highlight of their trip was their time spent on the point, watching the river and birds," said Frank Fiorenza, Potosi village president. "There's all kinds of things in the U.S., and that's their highlight. They said it was extremely relaxing and enjoyable."

Extended in the early to mid-1950s on what was formerly a wing dam, the Potosi Point is receiving a $100,000 grant administered through the state Department of Transportation. Plans call for building an 8- to 10-foot, handicapped-accessible observation deck.

The grant is part of the federal Transportation Department's Scenic Byways program. There are more than 100 highways designated as Scenic Byways, including the Great River Road -- a system that stretches 2,340 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Wisconsin boasts 250 miles -- Potosi Point sits on Wisconsin 133, part of the Great River Road.

Fiorenza points out that the Mississippi River is a major north-south flyway for migrating waterfowl. Potosi Point is visited annually by 270 species of birds.

"It's another reason to come into Potosi and the tri-state area," Fiorenza said.

He cites recent studies that say more money is spent by bird-watchers than by anglers and hunters combined.

"There is an untapped market for bringing people into the region for bird-watching," Fiorenza said. "We get comments from people from Madison and Chicago. They love coming here to see the wildlife. They don't find that in the big cities. What we take for granted is special to them."

Fiorenza met with an engineer on Tuesday -- the first step in the planning process. Construction is expected to begin in the spring.



December 2008 News



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