Public Works Update

November 8, 2024

QR code to be scanned to view alternate public parking in downtown Owatonna

Vine Street Parking Lot Progress

All curb and flat work has been completed. The first lift of asphalt is expected to be paved on Monday with hopes to get the final lift down later in the week, weather depending. Concrete work will continue into the late fall as long as temperatures stay high enough. Unfortunately, landscaping and the green space between US Bank and Pizza Ranch will not be completed until spring.

As a reminder, the parking lot will remain closed throughout the duration of the project, please refer to the Downtown Public Parking Map (PDF) or scan the QR code for alternate parking options.

Updates relating to timelines, project progression and potential traffic disruptions will posted on owatonna.gov and the Owatonna Public Works Facebook page.

Winter Parking Ordinance in effect nov 15 to march 31

Winter Parking Restrictions

Odd/Even Parking

Winter parking restrictions in Owatonna are in effect November 15 through March 31. These restrictions facilitate effective snow removal and allow crews to perform other street maintenance.

During this period, street parking is only allowed on alternating sides of the street every night between 12:01 a.m. and noon, regardless of the weather. On even-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may park on the sides of streets with even-numbered addresses. On odd-numbered calendar dates, vehicles may park on the sides of streets with odd-numbered addresses.

Between noon and midnight, the winter parking restrictions are not in effect. Therefore, parking is allowed on both sides of the street (unless otherwise marked). At 12:01 a.m., parking is only allowed on the side of the street that corresponds with the calendar date. Anticipating the date change at 12:01 a.m., there’s no need to move from one side of the street to the other at midnight. Instead, park prior to midnight on the side of the street that corresponds with the next day’s date.

Keep in mind December and January both end and begin with odd dates – the 31st and the 1st. Parking restrictions are enforced nightly from November 15 through March 31 regardless of weather conditions. Odd/even parking restrictions do not apply to any street that has posted restrictive parking or any cul-de-sac which has combined even and odd house numbers.

The City’s easy-to-use Winter Parking Map app shows where to park during winter months. The app is available on the City of Owatonna’s website Owatonna.gov/publicparking.

Click here to access the winter parking web app map

Access the Winter Parking WebApp Map by clicking the image to the left or scanning the QR Code.

Leaf Raking Reminder

Please do NOT rake or blow leaves into the street

The City of Owatonna would like to remind residents that no person shall intentionally dispose of leaves, dirt, or other landscape debris into a street, road, alley, catch basin, culvert, curb, gutter, inlet, ditch, natural watercourse, flood control channel, canal, storm drain, and any other fabricated or natural conveyance. Doing so not only violates City Ordinance 52.28, which is punishable by fine, but contributes to excessive costs related to increased phosphorous in our waterways and added wear on equipment.

Are you wondering what to do with all the leaves? Leaves can be bagged and taken to the Compost Site located at 400 32nd Ave W, mulched with your lawnmower and left to break down to provide valuable nutritional benefits to your grass, or left as is to break down naturally.

Street Maintenance crews are continuously running the street sweeper to clear leaves that have fallen into the roadway and settled in the gutter.

Person using a leaf blower and a pile of leaves

Compost Site

The Compost Site located at 400 West 32nd Avenue is open for yard waste disposal. When taking items to the site, please remember which materials are accepted. This includes properly bagged or bulk yard waste including leaves, grass clippings and twigs.

To improve efficiency at the site, please separate materials as much as practicable. Brush, branches and larger woody debris should be separated from leaves, grass clippings and small sticks, etc. Please remember to remove plastic plant trays and pots from yard waste.

The site will not accept garbage, building materials or household items. Visit Steele County Environmental Services for information on the disposal of these items. Bags and bulk loads will be subject to inspection to ensure unacceptable items are not brought onto the site.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

The site is owned by the City of Owatonna and operated through By the Yard Landscape Supply. The compost site operates Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Call By the Yard at 507.475.4385 or Follow them on Facebook for important updates relating to the Compost Site such as rain delays, holiday schedules, promotions, etc.

The final open day at the site is currently anticipated to be December 7.