Wisconsin Rapids gets a new Downtown Master Plan

There are some new development plans coming to Wisconsin Rapids. During an interview with James J. Malouf on Mid-Day Magazine Kyle Kearns, Director of Community Development, discussed the new Downtown Master Plan. The previous 2009 Master Plan is being replaced because it is out of date. Master Plans are only intended to last for 5-15 years. Wisconsin Rapids will be using funding from the county to complete the Master Plan. Kearns stated there are parts of the existing plan that will be carried over to the new plan and are still relevant. This new plan will include extensions to the boundaries of downtown to include Witter Field and the Aquatic Center.

Malouf asked about citizen involvement in the planning. Kearns stated that they’ve been making efforts to provide as many platforms as possible for feedback from community members. Throughout the interview Kearns expressed the importance of community feedback and involvement every step of the way. He also encouraged those interested in providing feedback to do so. This will include a few upcoming Community Master Plan meetings for citizens to attend.

Which led to a conversation about how the community engagement is happening with this new plan. There will be four upcoming meetings in Wisconsin Rapids that are open to the public. The first meeting will be at McMillan Memorial Library on October 9th from 5-7pm. There will be two meetings on October 10th. The first at From the Ground Up Coffee House from 8-10am, and the second from 5-7pm at B’s Tap House. The last meeting will be on Friday October 11th from 8-10am at From the Ground Up Coffee House.

These meetings are flexible events in which attendees can be as active in the meeting as they are comfortable with. All the information will be made available on the Downtown Master Plan website, or by clicking here. If you are unable to attend the meetings your encouraged to still provide feedback. Provide your feedback with the Mindmixer engagement tool, by visiting their website.

In the next portion of the interview Kearns discussed the foundry project. After preparation phases on the redevelopment of the foundry there is now a plan available on the Foundry project website. The city has plans to continue the project and is waiting for grant money from the DNR. Once the city regains full control over the building and receives that funding the project will begin.

Lastly, they discussed a surveyor which will be seen in the area. They are trying to determine the historical value of certain buildings in the city. Which could help provide funding for homes that qualify and are in need of repair and restoration. This is the preliminary steps of a project that will likely be more active next year.

Listen to the full interview from Mid-Day Magazine on our website, or through this link here.

For more information on Wisconsin Rapids Community Development plans you can visit the City website, or click the link here.

For Wisconsin Rapids Planning and Zoning information you can visit the City Website, or by clicking here.