Wisconsin Builder | City Lights | Down the road in southeast Wisconsin

Down the road in southeast Wisconsin

Oconomowoc

Like many other cities throughout Wisconsin, Oconomowoc is taking measures to restore its downtown area.

Maureen Stapleton, founder of the Downtown Oconomowoc Revitalization Team, said the city is "a jewel that has gotten tarnished and needs to be sparkled up."

The city is already in the midst of creating a Community Development Authority, and a $45,000 grant application has already been submitted to the Scherffius Fund, Stapleton said.

The Scherffius Fund was established for local organizations and projects through a $2.5 million bequest from the late Hilbert W. Scherffius, said Bob Duffy, director of the city's Bureau of Economic Development. Scherffius owned Lorleburg's True Value Hardware Store, which is still open today.

Duffy said the $45,000 grant would be used to hire a consultant to do a survey asking residents what kinds of businesses they want to see in the downtown.

"Within the next year we hope to do a downtown study, seek a planner and conduct workshops inviting citizens to give us a wish list of what they want to see," Stapleton said.

Duffy said one of the main reasons for developing a downtown plan is because of the desire expressed by the community. He said many people are concerned about storefronts with long-term vacancies resulting from owners retiring.

Stapleton said she sees many visions for Oconomowoc's downtown, including housing. With people shopping, eating out and walking around downtown, more businesses would be attracted to the area.

Plans for the former Marshall Fields’ building at Shops of Grand Avenue call for it to become home to a Borders Books and Music in November. Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in July. The addition of Borders continues the $18 million renovation that began in early 2001. The Borders will be the third in the Milwaukee area.

Another feature that makes Oconomowoc unique is its location near two lakes and the rivers that flow into them, Stapleton said. She said she hopes to be able to interact with those features when redeveloping the downtown, including the possibility of a yacht club with a restaurant.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee's downtown will continue with redevelopment as well. The grand arcade of the Shops of Grand Avenue was completed in November 2001.

Now, developers plan to bring a Borders Books and Music to the Marshall Field's building, which has been vacant for the past five years.

Developer Bill Orenstein of Williams Development in Milwaukee said Borders will be in the first floor of the building. He said plans are being drawn and construction should begin in July, allowing Borders to be open by Nov. 15.

"Borders is what retailers consider an anchor," Orenstein said. "People will make it a point to go to this store."

Orenstein said Borders is arguably the best of the big bookstores, and he believes its presence in Milwaukee's downtown will bring other businesses to the Shops of Grand Avenue.

-- By Jessica Gosz

| Editor's Note | Story Index | Links | Special Sections | DR Main |