Racine, Wisconsin - Downtown Plan

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Summary

Crandall Arambula prepared a two-phased Downtown Plan that includes a development framework, design guidelines, development regulations, public area requirements, and an implementation strategy for revitalizing Racine’s historic downtown on the shores of Lake Michigan. The plan links the downtown to the waterfront and integrates retail, housing, and employment uses. A multi-modal transit hub at the site of Racine’s historic train station is identified. Strategic public sector projects were identified to foster private development, including plazas, esplanades and parks, and street improvements.

Community Engagement: The public involvement process included several public meetings, the largest with an attendance of 400. The process was structured to create public and investor confidence.

Outcomes

Both the Phase I and Phase II plans were unanimously adopted by the 19-member City Council. Racine had experienced no new downtown private investment in over 40 years. Since plan completion, over $600 million in new private investment has been constructed.

OTHER DOWNTOWN PLANNING PROJECTS