Development in the New Decade: Reconstruction of West Main Street PDF Print E-mail
Written by Margaret Richman   
Thursday, 28 January 2010 14:33
    This summer, the City of Chilton plans a reconstruction of West Main Street as part of the overall plan for the redevelopment of Uptown. 

    Following an Opportunity Analysis, the City of Chilton initiated a Redevelopment Authority in approximately 2002 and began planning improvements for the once thriving area of Main and Madison Streets. Since East Main Street underwent improvements in 2008 and Madison Street in 2004, West Main is now due for the attention.

    The reconstruction of West Main Street will focus on the area from Madison Street to State Street.  Plans include new pavement, curb, and gutter; stamped brick work for the terrace; and decorative lighting.  The sewer and water main are believed to be in good shape so only limited utility work is foreseen.

    “We plan to mirror the work that was done on East Main Street,” Todd Schwarz, Director of Public Works said.      

    Although the planning for the redevelopment of Uptown began years earlier, action began to take place last spring with the construction of the Uptown Commons.   The City of Chilton purchased three commercial buildings on West Main Street and two residential properties on School Street.  Another residential property was raised and moved.

     The four remaining buildings were demolished and allowed room for the construction of a parking lot that now spans the area from Main to School Streets.    Since parking space was scarce, the lot was constructed to aid in attracting businesses into the area.

    “It was a good time to buy, since one home was empty and the lease was up at the other home,” Shawn Reilly, Development Director for the City of Chilton said.

    Once weather conditions permit, the City will level and seed the ground west of the parking lot as well as the area once occupied by the former homes on School Street.  There are no specific plans at this time for further development of that land.   Friederichs Abstract & Title will be landscaping the strip of land adjacent to the east side of the parking lot.

    The Uptown area of Chilton has been designated by the state as one of three TIF (Tax Incremental Finance) Districts in the city.  According to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, TIF is “a financing tool that allows municipalities to invest in infrastructure and other improvements, and pay for these investments by capturing property tax revenue from the newly developed property.”  Since the redevelopment of urban blighted areas is high compared to development of open areas, TIF assists municipalities to grow. 

    To encourage development in the Uptown and the Downtown TIF districts, the city created a revolving loan fund which property owners can borrow up to $50,000 at 2% interest to do property improvements to buildings.  The city has issued four of these loans since it was created in 2008.  This has helped lead to some of the building improvements in both TIF districts.

    A criterion for designation as a TIF District is quite specific and some commercial buildings and areas of Chilton did meet those specifications.  To meet the needs of those property owners, the City responded by creating a non-TIF district revolving loan fund for commercial and industrial properties.   Those business owners have an opportunity for a $25,000 matching loan fund for internal and/or external building projects.

    In regards to the street reconstruction, the City will host a public meeting addressing issues of property owners sometime in February. 

    “We have a good start in the revitalization of Uptown,” Reilly said.

    He continued that more progress is forthcoming.  Observant citizens must agree that this section of town has already undergone several improvements.  Further advancement should be welcomed as pride is restored in Uptown.
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