Mayor's Community Update - 11/02/19

Greetings!  Historic downtowns not only add character to a community but also help to strengthen the local economy by creating space and bringing people together within a community’s commercial core.  We certainly experienced that this past week when more than 3,800 people descended on our downtown to attend our annual Halloween on Main family event.  For 2020, we continue to be focused on downtown revitalization efforts and we are pleased to announce that the Secretary of the Interior recently placed the Waupun Commercial District in the City of Waupun, Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties, on the National Register of Historic Places.  This is in addition to an earlier designation from the State Historical Society, placing the district on the state registry.  The National Registry is the nation’s official list of places worthy of preservation, recognizing important places and potentially qualifying them for certain grants and tax incentives.  Waupun’s Historic Commercial District includes buildings on Main Street from roughly Fond du Lac through Drummond Streets and the commercial areas that exist one block to the north and south of Main Street.  The area is significant for its exceptional collection of commercial buildings representing the historic commercial core of the community for over 100 years.   The buildings also help tell the story of commercial development as well as the development of popular architectural styles that evolved over that same time period.  Our team’s quest of this designation began in late 2017 when staff worked with downtown business and building owners and the council took action to support pursuit of the historic district designation.  The process was the result of a grant obtained by staff through the State Historical Society to fund the nomination process.  The Historic District listing on state and federal registries is an honorary designation, and it supports our economic development goals of downtown preservation by helping building and business owners of qualifying properties pursue both state and federal tax credits to support property renovation.  To learn more about the State and National Register programs in Wisconsin, visit www.wisconsinshistory.org . 

Around town, fall yard waste continues, weather permitting, through November 15.  Leaves, grass, garden waste, and branches that result from routine yard maintenance can be set curbside for pickup during this time.  Waupun Public Library will host a Devise Day on November 6.  This is an open-house style drop-in event where you can bring your electronic device (phone, tablet, laptop) and get troubleshooting or operational assistance from library staff.  At the High School, Disney’s High School Musical JR. is playing on November 8 and 9.  Tickets may be purchased on October 28 in the high school office or an hour before each performance at the door.  Finally, the first winter farmer’s market is scheduled at the Senior Center on Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to noon.  I hope to see you around town!