Sauk Prairie, WI Water Street Visioning Project · Sauk Prairie, WI Water Street Visioning Project ... Construct multifamily & senior ... Host trail and community events that attract

Sauk Prairie, WIWater Street Visioning Project

Urban & Regional Planning Masters Program-Workshop 2017Nathan Abney | Gillian Cooper | Logan Dredske | Anna Feltham | Tsung-Lun Hsu Nicole Lehr | Matthew Miller | Beth Richmond | Kenneth Smith | Ryan Thompto

Vision…Thecorridorshouldspurregional

andlocaleconomicopportunities,whilebalancingsafecirculationandaccessforeveryone,givingfullconsiderationof

mobilityforallmodesoftravel.WaterStreetshouldbeaplacewherepeoplewanttoLIVE,WORK,andPLAY.

Prosperity

Safety

Accessibility

Livability

Connectivity

Wellbeing

Objectives…

Economic Development &

RecreationTransportation Land Use &

Site Design

Themes…

EconomicDevelopment&Recreation

Vandewalle & Associates, 2017 Sauk Prairie Comprehensive Plan

Regional Influences & Opportunities

Proximity• Dane County

• Economic growth• Sauk County

• Recreation• Tourism

Sauk County economy• Agriculture• Manufacturing• Recreation & Tourism

Strong school district

Regional Assets…

Source: Wisconsin Department of Tourism

Insufficient housing• Rents too high• Employers can’t find workers

Rural counties graying

Looming statewide workforce shortage

Opportunities…

Strong Schools Attract Families

Sauk County Commuters

2017 Sauk County Workforce Study

Most Residents Work in Sauk or Dane

Half of Sauk Workers are Sauk Residents

• Build upon and enhance regional economic opportunitiesGoal#1

• Build upon existing businesses on Water Street and attract additional businesses and consumersGoal#2

• Build upon and enhance housing opportunities along and around Water Street for a range of incomes and housing needs

Goal#3

Goals:BusinessDevelopment

Build upon and enhance regional economic opportunities

Goal #1

Improve Sauk Prairie’s connections with the recreational tourism sector in Sauk County

Objective #1

Attract millennials working in Dane County to raise their families in Sauk Prairie

Objective #2

Connect the Great Sauk Trail to rest of bicycle network

Economize on proximity to Devil’s Lake, Baraboo, and the Dells

Improve recreational & entertainment amenities

Densify Water Street with multifamily housing and commercial infill

Promote the community based on its strong school district

Recommendations…

Build upon existing businesses on Water Street and attract additional businesses and consumers

Goal #2

Improve community awareness and patronage of existing businesses

Objective #1

Make Sauk Prairie a more desirable place to conduct business for current and future businesses

Objective #2

Invest in incubator spacedowntown to assist local entrepreneurs

Continue improving storefronts and building rears

Develop stronger relationships with WHEDA & WEDC

Focus on entrepreneurship and growing existing businesses

Explore possibilities for improving the Chamber’s website

Recommendations…

Build upon and enhance housing opportunities along and around Water Street for a range of incomes and housing needs

Goal #3

Reduce housing rents by creating additional supply

Objective #1

Help area employers recruit workers

Objective #2

Construct multifamily & senior housing in the Wellspings Campus area and in empty parcels in the downtowns

Refurbish downtown second floorsfor apartment usage

Construct affordable via WHEDA’s housing tax credits

Keep retiring TIFs open one more year for senior/workforce housing

Blend townhouses in vacant parcels in the downtowns

Recommendations…

• Establish the Water Street Corridor as the main activity center for the area and promote local cultural assetsGoal#4

• Establish Sauk Prairie as a destination for trail tourismGoal#5

• Enhance connectivity between existing parks, the Great Sauk State Trail and Water StreetGoal#6

• Create a robust array of trail amenities which serve various ages, needs and physical abilitiesGoal#7

Goals:Amenities&Recreation

Establish the Water Street Corridor as the main activity center for the area and promote local cultural assets

Goal #4

Provide a variety of dining, retail, and entertainmentoptions

Objective #1

Provide year-round activities for the public

Objective #2

Promote the “buy local” culture

Objective #3

Attract missing services and amenities through Recruitment & incentives

Provide rental options for outdoor recreation equipment

Allow for temporary seasonal structures

Expand the farmers market

Consider creating a pop-up market in empty space on Water Street

Recommendations…

Establish Sauk Prairie as a destination forTrail Tourism

Goal #5

Lodging and entertainment options for trail users

Objective #1

Host trail and community events that attract out of town visitors

Objective #2

Educate business owners about trail-user needs and preferences

Objective #3

Create a visitor-friendly atmosphereObjective #4

Recommendations…Encourage retail stores to stock items that trail users desire

Provide visitor-friendly amenities

Create additional campingareas and acquire hotel and/or bed-and-breakfasts

Create and promote trail-oriented events and other community events/festivals

Enhance connectivity between existing parks, the Great Sauk State Trail and Water Street

Goal #6

Create cohesion and connectivity between existing parks in that are adjacent to the trail and Water Street

Objective #1

Provide a diverse recreational programming in parks

Objective #2

Promote accessibility of parks to users of varying physical abilities and ages

Objective #3

“The Wisconsin River is the most significant resource in the Sauk Prairie Area”

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 2016-2010 (2015, p. 25)

Recommendations…Promote usage of Fuchs Park playground area and restroom facilities, and future updates to:

Riverfront Pocket Park & Promenade in Sauk City, August Derleth ParkDowntown Riverfront Park (Eagle Overlook)

Install a raised boardwalk to connect pedestrians/bicycles to flooding prone green space along WI River in downtown Sauk City

Increase recreational programming in parks, along the trail and the WI River

Create a robust array of trail amenities whichserve various ages, needs and physical abilities

Goal #7

Provide a variety of engaging exercise and recreational opportunities

Objective #1

Provide access to quality public restroom facilities and drinking water

Objective #2

Curate educational and recreational amenities that are family focused

Objective #3

Promote accessible trail environment for users of varying physical capabilities

Objective #4

Recommendations…Situate outdoor exercise stations at multiple points along trail

Install bike repair stations with air pumps

Install playground spacethat is sculptural and unique near Downtown Riverfront Park

Create an ADA accessible and youth-focusededucational garden space behind the Ruth Culver Community Library

Transportation

• Improve safety for all modes of transportationGoal#1

• Create space for amenities that will attract people to the corridorGoal#2

• Encourage active and healthy lifestylesGoal#3

Goals:

Improve safety for all modes of transportation

Goal #1

Implement a complete streets programObjective #1

Calm TrafficObjective #2

Elevate the priority of pedestrians Objective #3

Reduce noise from heavy truck trafficObjective #4

Develop complete streets programs & policies

Develop an activetransportation plan

Implement a complete streets pilot program of projects

Reroute heavy truck traffic

Implement traffic calmingmeasures

Recommendations…

Curb Extensions

Recommendations…

Traffic Calming

Traffic Calming

Speed Table

Recommendations…

Create space for amenities that willattract people to the corridor

Goal #2

Provide space for public and private amenities

Objective #1

Utilize parking more efficientlyObjective #2

Create adaptable spaces

Objective #3

Recommendations…

Recommendations…

GSST Detour

Recommendations…

Recommendations…

Recommendations…

Recommendations…

Maximize parking by utilizing shared parking strategies

Enforce existing parking regulations

Install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations

Install parklets

Encourage active and healthy lifestyles

Goal #3

Develop programs and events to encourage residents to utilize active modes of transportation to travel to the village downtowns

Objective #1

Encourage children to actively engage with the Water Street corridor.

Objective #2

Implement a bike rewards program

Host events promoting active transportation (Ride the Drive)

Implement a walking school bus program

Recommendations…

LandUse&SiteDesign

• Connect the community to the riverfrontGoal#1

• Connect Water Street to the communityGoal#2

• Revitalize Wellspring Campus AreaGoal#3

• Redesign Downtown Riverfront Park (Eagle Overlook)Goal#4

Goals:

Connect the community to the riverfront

Goal #1

Inviting trail users into the community

Objective #1

Making the riverfront a destination for residents

Objective #2

Recommendations…

Link trail users to community attractions

Consistent signagethat represents the Sauk Prairie Area

Recommendations…

Link trail users to community attractions

Consistent signagethat represents the Sauk Prairie Area

Neighborhood access to riverfront

Physical riverfront connections

Recommendations…

Source: Phoenix Park, Eau Claire, WI

The riverfront as a gathering areawhich draws in and holds people

Recommendations…

Source: MSA

Create a pedestrian friendly environment along Riviera Street

Help businesses capitalize on increased activity along the riverfront

Recommendations…

Connect Water Street to the community

Goal #2

Creating a street that visitors remember

Objective #1

Inviting pedestrians to Water Street

Objective #2

Source

Source

Recommendations…A physical gateway can mark Water Street as a destination andencourage people to travel down the street

Use art installations to highlight alleyways as connecting spaces

A pedestrian-scaled space to encourage activity along the street

Source

Source

Distinct multi-purpose features to create a distinct space

Use bioswales to enhance pedestrian safety, environmental benefits, and community placemaking

Use street design to move people through a space

SeatingStreet plantings Perpendicular signage

Recommendations…

Revitalize Wellspring Campus Area

Goal #3

Creating housing opportunities

Objective #1

Maintaining the presence of healthcare and wellness amenities

Objective #2

Recommendations…Provide various higher-density housing options for

SeniorsMembers of the Workforce

Maintain presence of wellness and healthcare amenities

Redesign Downtown Riverfront Park (Eagle Overlook)

Goal #4

Create a distinguished trail head for the GSST in Prairie du Sac

Objective #1

Plan for expansion of the Ruth Culver LibraryObjective #2

Preserve a space for eagle viewing

Objective #3

Eagle Overlook ParkRecommendations…

Recommendations…Eagle Overlook Park

Conclusion…

LiveWork

Play

“Making the Water Street corridor a destination”

PrairieduSacVillageBoardSaukCityVillageBoard

VillagePrairieduSaukPlanningCommissionVillageofSaukCityPlanningCommissionIntergovernmentalPlanningCommissionSaukPrairieAreaChamberofCommerce

MDRoffers ConsultingRiverArtsCommittee

FriendsoftheGreatSaukStateTrailEdgeConsulting

Wollersheim WineryWisconsinDepartmentofTransportation

SaukPrairiePoliceDepartmentSaukCityFireChief

SaukCountyAging&DisabilityResourceCenterSaukCityPublicLibrary

RuthCulverCommunityLibrarySaukPrairieCommunityMembers

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:Wewouldliketoacknowledgethefollowingstakeholderswhohelpedmakethisprojectpossible: