ST. CLOUD - Work on transforming a downtown St. Cloud parking lot has begun. A fence has gone up along the Lady Slipper parking lot, and the old monument that once stood along Highway 23 has been torn down.

Liberty Savings Bank President Mark Bragelman says a new monument will be put up in its place.

Bragelman says they're hoping the lot will become a gathering place for more downtown events.

The Liberty Savings Bank donated all of the money for the project, which is just under $300,000.

The new "Liberty Square" parking lot will be finished in June, just in time for the Liberty Savings Block Party on Friday, June 26th, which is party of the city's summer celebration "Granite City Days". The block party is returning to downtown after being held at Whitney Park for the past several years.

Bragelman says the headliner for the event will be country music artist Travis Tritt.

Tritt has had five number one singles: "Help Me Hold On", "Anymore", "Can I Trust You With My Heart", "Foolish Pride", and "Best of Intentions".

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