With Ososki's move, Willmar Design Center names Minneapolis architect as its newest urban designer

WILLMAR -- Landscape architect Adam Arvidson of Minneapolis brings 10 years of experience in envisioning and designing parks, urban downtown plazas and marketplaces to the job as urban designer for the Willmar Design Center.

Arvidson was appointed to the part-time position by the Design Center's board of directors. Arvidson replaces Tom Ososki of Lauderdale, Minn., who will be moving to Lima, Peru, where his wife will be pastor of a Lutheran church.

Arvidson was selected in an interview process that included five other candidates. Arvidson attended his first Design Center board meeting Wednesday morning.

The Design Center's mission is to renew downtown Willmar as a social, cultural, government and economic center, according to the Design Center's Web site. The Design Center is funded by the city of Willmar and other fundraising efforts.

Arvidson said "a lot of great visioning'' has been done, beginning with two visits by the Minnesota Design Team in 2005, the formation of the Design Center and the center's work with Ososki for more than a year.

That work included publication of the "Visioneer,'' which serves as a guide to development of the downtown and surrounding area.

But Arvidson said the board has suggested efforts be directed toward more "brick and mortar'' projects.

"I think the feeling is that it's time to really start to make some tangible change happen,'' said Arvidson in an interview.

One specific thing discussed is to upgrade and formalize the Downtown Becker Market through creative design that would serve the market better, but also create a more interesting pedestrian space during the days when the market is not held, he said.

Also discussed was connecting downtown with recreational trail initiatives coming from the north, Arvidson said. He was referring to plans to improve trails in the northern part of the city.

"Beyond that, it's a constantly evolving process,'' he said.

Arvidson said the tasks before him "couldn't align better with what I feel comfortable doing. ... I was excited to hear those were specific projects, and it seems to be a good fit for me.''

Ososki said he's honored to have worked at the Willmar Design Center.

"It's been a great experiment,'' he said. "It's the only rural design center in the state as far as we know, and to be a part of that has been great.''