Downtown Strategic Plan Workshops

2016 Downtown Strategic Plan Sessions

Through Downtown Strategic Plan sessions, the Common Council has identified retail recruitment and retention in Burlington as a priority. This activity isn't something that the City can accomplish on its own. The best retail recruitment programs and existing business community cultures are created by a joint effort that includes involvement from key players within the business community, service organizations, government and residents alike.

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Session 1 - February 9, 2016

The first session was facilitated by Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) and included a review of the key findings of three major activities that occurred in 2015:

  • Downtown business owner one-one-one meetings
  • Chamber-published community-wide survey
  • The major findings and recommendations of the City's retail market analysis

The first session also kicked off the Downtown Strategic Plan update process by having the group respond to two questions considering the key findings of research and data collected:

1) Identify top downtown retail and destination businesses types to recruitment, and

2) Identify top priority sites/buildings in downtown to which businesses should be recruited.

View the February 9, 2016 Workshop PowerPoint Presentation Here (PDF)

View the Common Business Development Themes Handout Here (PDF)

View the February 9, 2016 Working Group Discussion Notes Here (PDF)

View the 2015 Retail Market Analysis Here (PDF)

Session 2 - March 8, 2016

The second working group session was led by facilitators from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and focused on updating the 2008 Downtown Strategic Plan. Questions that were discussed included:

  • As a community, what do we want the downtown to be?
  • What and where are the destinations already in downtown?
  • Where are the underutilized sites relative to these destinations?
  • Which of the business opportunities are suited to existing sites/spaces, and which would require new development or other accommodations?
  • Define your top five desired goals regarding downtown development.
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View the City of Burlington
2016 Downtown Strategic Plan
Here (PDF)

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View the City of Burlington
2016 to 2019 Strategic Plan
Here (PDF)

Session 3 - June 6 and June 8, 2016

The third session will roll out the completed plan and initiatives. This session will create an opportunity for attendees to become engaged in the activities and strategies that can be put into place to continue to revitalize and attract new business and visitors to the downtown.

View the June 6, 2016 and June 8, 2016
Workshop PowerPoint
Presentation Here (PDF)

View the Strategic
Plan Implementation
Sign Up Sheet Here (PDF)