North end of Main St. needing facelift

Shawano’s downtown south of Green Bay Street has a clear identity, with new businesses moving in over the last few years and a brand new plaza that is shaping up to be its own hub of activity.

Once someone goes a block north of Green Bay Street, however, the downtown fades, and that is something the city of Shawano is looking at changing.

The Shawano Common Council got its first look Dec. 14 into a possible facelift for the northern stretch of the city with three potential endgames: bookending North Main Street, redeveloping the 200 block of the street and developing Huckleberry Harbor. According to Zoning Administrator David Moesch, the recommendations came out of a visioning session the city had in October.

“What they recommended was highlighting the north end of Main Street as a bookend to our downtown plaza on the south end of Main Street,” Moesch said. “They also recommended redesigning Huckleberry Harbor and expanding that, as well.”

The bookend suggestions include adding a roundabout and gateway at Main and Third streets, adding a restaurant building in the area, and creating a unified design with the new plaza. Another recommendation urges signage that would note the nearby Shawano County Historical Society facilities.

“They recommended a roundabout to help slow traffic and to enhance the downtown, as well,” Moesch said.

As far as redeveloping the 200 block, a feasibility study is being recommended for the end use of the four vacant buildings, which the city purchased last year. There is a recommendation to demolish the buildings and turn the area into mixed use hub that would include additional housing. A report from Ayers Associates said it appears that upgrading the existing buildings would not be cost effective, and new construction is a better option.

“The cost of rehabbing those buildings is pretty significant,” Moesch said.

Ideas to develop Huckleberry Harbor include relocating and reconfiguring boat parking, moving foward on boat slips and adding trail connections and green space enhancements in the area, as well as abandoning the segment of Sawyer Streer that borders the harbor. City officials believe providing enticements around the harbor area might encourage boat tourists to explore the rest of the downtown.

City Administrator Eddie Sheppard told the council that he felt it was important to have someone from the outside take a look at the city and make recommendations on what to do with its blighted areas and potential development spaces. Sheppard noted the plans are far for firmed up but feels they should be discussed in the future.

“It’s just another potential way of looking at things in our community,” Sheppard said. “For example, Huckleberry Harbor. We’ve looked at it a number of times in some different ways that are more boat friendly and more waterfront friendly.”

The buildings in the 200 block have generated some interest from buyers, according to Sheppard, but the potential cost of improving the existing buildings has held the city back. He said that Ayers Associates took note of other rehab projects, including one in Appleton, that improved the quality of life for the city.

“I think it’s just something to put out there and marinate on at this point,” Sheppard said. “We’ll see where it goes from here.”

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com