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.
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…
• 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
• 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…
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…
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…
• 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
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
PrairieduSacVillageBoardSaukCityVillageBoard
VillagePrairieduSaukPlanningCommissionVillageofSaukCityPlanningCommissionIntergovernmentalPlanningCommissionSaukPrairieAreaChamberofCommerce
MDRoffers ConsultingRiverArtsCommittee
FriendsoftheGreatSaukStateTrailEdgeConsulting
Wollersheim WineryWisconsinDepartmentofTransportation
SaukPrairiePoliceDepartmentSaukCityFireChief
SaukCountyAging&DisabilityResourceCenterSaukCityPublicLibrary
RuthCulverCommunityLibrarySaukPrairieCommunityMembers
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:Wewouldliketoacknowledgethefollowingstakeholderswhohelpedmakethisprojectpossible: