Design Wisconsin Community Development Survey
UW EXTENSION BRINGS DESIGN WISCONSIN TO WAUPUN
City Partners with UW Extension and Seeks Public Input on Planning Process
WAUPUN, WI. SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 - The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension, brings the Wisconsin Idea to life by helping communities make informed decisions. Building on that tradition, on September 18 and 19, 2023, the Extension will lead a workshop in the City of Waupun called Design Wisconsin. A Design Wisconsin team comprised of community planning and design professionals will work with community members using a variety of public participation methods to uncover redevelopment opportunities in the city’s downtown. Waupun’s Business Improvement District (BID) and city economic development staff worked with a team from the Extension to complete a market analysis in 2020. The Design Wisconsin process builds on that work and provides technical assistance to find ways to enhance downtown vitality by improving underutilized spaces. A USDA Rural Business Development Grant secured by the Extension funds the project.
According to Kathy Schlieve, City Administrator and Director of Economic Development, “our partnership with the UW Extension is long-standing. When they presented us with the opportunity to participate in this grant we saw it as a significant opportunity to advance our economic development efforts in the downtown.” In advance of the two-day workshop, the team coordinating the program is seeking public input. Waupun community members are asked to complete a 10 to 15 minute survey to provide their thoughts on different assets in the city. Information gathered will be used during the design workshop. The survey can be completed by accessing the following URL: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2mz4RtqDXYjER7g.
Members of the City of Waupun’s BID and Community Development Authority (CDA), along with area youth and community members, will work with the Design Wisconsin Team over the course of the two-day workshop to identify and assess possible improvement projects in Waupun’s central business district. The workshop will include a walking tour and planning and design discussions. The Design Wisconsin team will then generate planning and design concepts to share with the community at a final workshop session to be held on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Community members are invited to attend this presentation beginning at 7 p.m. in the Large Group Instruction room of the Junior/Senior High School.
ABOUT THE CITY OF WAUPUN
The City of Waupun is centrally located along the US 151 corridor within a one-hour drive of Madison, Milwaukee and the Fox Cities and is positioned to support economic growth with available industrial, residential and commercial properties for development. The community’s Downtown Business District is being revitalized with an ongoing commitment to historic preservation, programming to support business improvement, and expanding resources designed to help entrepreneurs.
