RALSTON, Neb. —

The city of Ralston hosted a groundbreaking for a $7 million upgrade in the center of downtown, featuring a new gazebo, a fountain, and a central plaza, funded by a late resident's donation.

The Independence Square project honors LaDonna Johnson, a long-time resident of Ralston who left the community several million dollars after her passing. The city says the fountain was her wish for the future of the plaza, and will be built in her honor.

"Ralston is a great community and with a high quality of life. And because of the foresight of those who came before us, each generation has planned for the next," Mayor Donald Groesser said.

The donation helped create over $100 million in proposed investments for the downtown area, nicknamed the hinge area. The goal is to create mo

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