City of Burlington Downtown Executive Team
City Hall – Upper Conference Room
Minutes - July 20, 2001
At the meeting this Friday morning, Mayor Lois called
the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. starting with a roll
call: Mayor Claude Lois, David Torgler, Mary Brensinger,
Jack Eckola, John Ekes, Mike Hohner, John Smith, Dennis
Spankowski, Bill Stone. Tom Stelling arrived at 7:35
a.m. Also present was Jan Ludtke. Excused: Kevin
McKillip and Jenny Trick.
Approval of Minutes. Dennis Spankowski motioned
and Jack Eckola seconded to approve the minutes of the
June 22, 2001 DET meeting. All were in favor and the
motion carried.
Continuation of the review and discussion regarding
the implementation schedule within Master Plan Document.
Mayor Lois continued the review / discussion of the
Master Plan from the previous meeting.
VI. Downtown Redevelopment Project – Downtown CBD /
Northeast Redevelopment Districts (R2 & R3).
2.0.
Create a Downtown gateway.
Status:
Currently in process.
3.0.
Redevelop the Hi-Liter Building.
Status:
Complete.
4.0.
Create a streetscape program for Chestnut Street.
Status:
This matter is in process. However, nothing from
Milwaukee Avenue to the Riverfront yet. Facades are
underway. The Loop area needs attention, it’s
streetscaped from the Mainstreet program, but not from
the Pinestreet Redevelopment program. Need to expand the
improvements, keep adding the amenities in order to
continue tying the downtown together.
5.0.
Create a streetscape program for Milwaukee and Bridge
Streets.
Status: Currently in process.
6.0.
Create a double-fronting program, and construct two-way
rear-alley access.
Status:
Currently in process. A suggestion of the alley only
being one-way was suggested.
7.0.
Address parking needs.
Status:
Is being addressed at the Parking Study meetings.
8.0.
Construct entrance features to Downtown & Riverfront at
Chestnut St. and Bridge.
Status:
As a part of the Riverwalk Improvement project, an
entrance wall is currently being constructed.
9.0.
Design & Implement a streetscape program for Washington,
Dodge and Jefferson Streets.
Status:
Is tied in with the Parking issue, is being worked on.
V. Historic Mill Redevelopment District (R4)
1.0.
Create a Historic Mill District Redevelopment Program.
Status:
Is tied in with the Riverwalk.
2.0.
Define business recruitment program with a focus on (a)
the water trailhead retail and services and (b) rail
orientation.
Status:
Needs to be looked at closer. Likely to be brought to
the Council for consideration.
2.1
Investigate relocation of Historic Depot.
Status:
Currently used as a storage area. Has not been opened up
for discussion. Currently do not have a location for it
to be moved to, not in budget at this time. Can be
looked at if there is interest.
2.2
Investigate and recruit paddle-sports retailer and
outfitter as an economic anchor.
Status:
Echo is very shallow and muddy. Although pontoon boats
have been successfully in the past.
2.3
Identify and recruit a themed restaurant as an economic
anchor.
Status:
Have the Charcoal Grill, which does fit in with the
theme (railroad and river).
3.0.
Create the White River Trail on and off the street
system to link to Lake Geneva.
Status: Goes from Burlington to Elkhorn, and is
currently being worked on. Still need to determine who
will have use of the trail, as well as who will maintain
it. Cost is approximately $10,000 per mile to convert to
trail. A parking area will need to be determined.
Possible parking areas might be St. Mary’s park or the
High School lot. (Elkhorn currently has a parking area.)
3.1
Explore possibilities for enhancement grants.
Status:
Will be explored when the trail location has been
decided.
3.2
Create "water trail" for canoes, kayaks, etc. along west
river between Burlington and Lake Geneva.
Status: Is currently being done, is a DNR
responsibility. Will look into the clearing away of
trees / branches.
4.0
Connect Mill Street Plaza to the White River.
Status:
Has not occurred.
4.1
Investigate grade potential and explore options for a
bicycle / pedestrian underpass.
Status:
An underpass from Commerce Street to where the fisherman
is usually at on the bank under the railroad has been
contemplated by Schreiber Anderson. Due to the grade
however, this may not be feasible. It was stated that
the plans need to be amended to reflect where the trail
will come into the City and the route it will follow, to
avoid confusion in the future.
5.0
Design and Implement streetscape improvements as noted
in the Master Plan.
Status:
Is in progress.
6.0
Create funding program for tourism and recreation.
Status:
Is a Chamber of Commerce responsibility, is currently
being done.
VI. Fox River Riverfront Redevelopment District (R5)
1.0
Identify and recruit a develop for the mixed-use
riverfront development noted in the Master Plan.
Status:
Complete.
2.0
Implements the mixed-use riverfront redevelopment.
Status:
Complete.
3.0
Create streetscape improvements as noted in the Master
Plan.
Status:
Complete.
4.0
Complete public riverfront improvements.
Status:
Complete.
5.0
Construct Jefferson Street bridge enhancements
Status: In process.
6.0
Design and construction State Street bridge to connect
to neighborhood.
Status:
In process.
VII. River South Redevelopment District (R5)
1.0
Create a CBD River South District Redevelopment Program
as noted in the Master Plan.
Status:
Complete.
2.0
Create streetscape and riverfront improvements as noted
in the Master Plan.
Status:
Complete.
VIII. CBD Edge Redevelopment District (R6)
1.0
Create a CBD Edge District Redevelopment Plan as noted
in the Master Plan.
1.1
Create a business recruitment program, which targets
support uses for the Downtown, Riverfront, and
neighborhoods.
Status: See
3.0 below.
1.2
Identify and prioritize future infill and redevelopment
sites.
Status: See
3.0 below.
1.3
Identify any property which requires acquisition to
complete redevelopment.
Status: See
3.0 below.
1.4
Redevelopment must accommodate parking on site.
2.0
Conduct environmental pollution surveys for areas
targeted for redevelopment and infill.
3.0
Create streetscape improvements as noted in the Master
Plan.
Status:
Regarding points 1.1-1.3. A business recruitment program
does not exist at this time, however positive moves in
that direction are occurring. Need to work with RCEDC
and CDA to come up with a business plan and continue the
redevelopment. It was suggested to move the timeline out
one year to accomplish the streetscaping.
IX. Echo Lake Reuse & Redevelopment District (R7)
1.0
Create an Echo Lake District Redevelopment Program as
noted in the Master Plan.
1.1
Conduct environmental pollution surveys for areas
targeted for redevelopment and infill.
Status: See
below.
1.2
Study market feasibility for continued industrial use
through 2006 to 2010.
Status: See
below.
1.3
Study Adaptive reuse of existing facilities.
Status: See
below.
1.4
Create site plan for residential / mixed use.
Status:
With regard to 1.0 through 1.4, not a lot has been
accomplished in this area due to the realignment of
Commerce Street (to assist truck traffic) and budget
constraints. It was noted that Patrick Scherrer,
Building Inspector, has started the enforcement process
regarding the code. It was suggested to continue the
studies, and to push the timeline in the area of
implementation out to 2002 – 2003.
X. Echo Park (R8)
1.0
Promote and improve Echo Park as a major riverfront
festival and special events site.
Status:
This area is being handled by the Park Dept.
Playground equipment, asphalt pads and comfort stations
are done. Irrigation and plant beds are being looked
into for the park (efforts need to be made concerning
vehicles on the park grounds). A volleyball net / area
is also being considered. It was suggested that since
the Park Board is doing so much in this area, that they
be added on as taking a lead role.
2.0
Create effective pedestrian linkage to the Downtown Core
District and adjoining neighborhoods.
Status: The Park Board is looking into how they can
tie Echo Park into the downtown area, which may make
better use of the Veteran’s parking lot
2.0
Create a Chocolate Festival Grounds layout plan.
Status:
The Park Board is looking into how they can tie Echo
Park into the downtown area, which may make better use
of the Veteran’s parking lot.
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4A Review of potential resources from the
UW-Extension Office.
City Administrator David Torgler stated that Kristin
Niemic, of RCEDC would be working with the EDC on this
project. Mr. Torgler stated that RCEDC’s focus is not on
retail, but rather on manufacturing / industrial.
However, Kristin would act as a link between this EDC
and the UW-Extension recruitment offices, to gather
demographic information. This program would likely be
achieved through the Chamber of Commerce, (because of
their retail connections) who could use the demographic
information gathered by Kristin, to reach out to
businesses.
It was suggested that a group study for the downtown
businesses (much like was done for the parking study) be
set up to determine what Burlington’s focus is before
trying to recruit. (It was noted by Jan Ludtke of the
Chamber of Commerce, that Jenny Trick of RCEDC may
already have such a meeting scheduled.)
Discussion was given to the advantages and
disadvantages of festivals in the community. Out of this
came a suggestion for a monthly street dance to take
place at alternating locations. It was suggested to have
one before opening the new Bridge Street.
Another suggestion was to have a 1-day/week/month
type event for the Farmer’s Market, rather than every
day or week.
Other Matters. None.
Adjournment.
Jack Eckola motioned and John Ekes seconded to
adjourn. All were in favor and the motion carried.
Adjourned at 8:43 a.m.
Recording Secretary – Carmen Pedersen
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