Transcript Comprehensive Communities

Wisconsin’s Forward
Communities
Community Development Comprehensive
Funding Program
A
Proposed Pilot Project
For Hurley Wisconsin
What is the Concept
In the past the Department of Commerce has required
communities to apply for funding on an individual
project basis.
In this comprehensive approach, communities identify a
variety of needs where the Department of Commerce can
assist the whole community over a three to five year
period
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
A part of Iron County Strategic Planning in 2003
Strengths
County owned land with hardwooods
Great two school systems
Great highway and forestry building
Newly remodeled Courthouse
Beautiful senior housing
Positive People
Strengths
Industrial Park
Cary Road Park
Bordered by Lake Superior
Many inland lakes and rivers
Abundant snow for winter activities
Year round recreation
Strengths
Harbor on Lake Superior
Strong religious community
Four seasons
The people
Safe
Cooperation between communities
Strengths
County agencies cooperate
Close to three hospitals
Nearby airport
Three class A highways
Libraries
Tourism destination
Strengths
Rich heritage
Active chambers, civic groups to
sponsor events
High volume natural gas supply
Availability of retail space
Weaknesses
Short supply of housing
No shopping
Small town causes us to loose some business
Lack of meeting facilities
Lack of recreational parking
Dependence on weather
Weaknesses
Regional high taxes
Undesirable businesses
Low wage scale
Shabby appearance
Perception that focus is on Hurley
Lack of new youthful leadership in business
community (entrepreneurial spirit)
Weaknesses
Business sector lacks diversity
Lack of infrastructure to support high tech
Railroads business has diminished
Location is challenge to bring industry
Seasonal tourism
Lack of peak time lodging
Opportunities
Market and develop year round tourism
Develop Entrepreneurial programs
Development of Saxon Harbor
Market ATV trials
Improve local attitude on what tourism means for
economy
Develop and market silent sports
Opportunities
Opportunity for secondary wood product industries
Develop downtown for retail
Market south shore of Lake Superior
Expansion of airport
Become more aware of trends in marketplace
Technology Zone program
Threats
High state taxes
Lack of financing from state and federal funding
Existing businesses thwart development of new
businesses
Changing weather patterns, snowfall
Competition from Michigan on economic
incentives for business
Lack of access to capital resources
Threats
Change in recreational trends over long term
Mandates with no funding
City of Hurley
Proposed projects for a Department of
Commerce Pilot Program
Improve the Downtown
Business Climate
Streetscape Renovations on Silver Street
Install historic street lights
Improve sidewalks
Place benches along the street
Incorporate landscaping
To improve the visual aspect of downtown and
encourage pedestrian traffic. This can be accomplished
by coordinating with planned reconstruction of Silver
Street.
Goal #1
First Impressions of Hurley
A visit by Crandon residents last summer gave Hurley an
idea what visitors see when they first come into Hurley:
General appearance of buildings-Most good, some in
need of cosmetic and cheep cleaning up
The variety of shopping-Basic were there, but not on
main street.
Public amenities-no pay phones, drinking fountains or
benches
Public infrastructure-streets need upgrading, sidewalks
are in dire need of repair, parking was limited on main
street and very rough on back streets.
Landscaping-none
Improve the Downtown
Business Climate
Encourage Storefront Improvements
Get technical assistance on design
Incorporate a historic theme
Establish a funding source through loans, grants or a
combination.
This will further improve the visual aspect of the downtown
by encouraging more pedestrian traffic and enticing new
business development
Goal # 1
Cosmetic Improvements
General Appearances
Improve the Downtown
Business Climate
Link Silver Street activity to Historical Museum
Continue streetscape design with sidewalks, street
lights, benches and landscaping along third avenue to
the Museum.
This will visually make the Museum standout and
incorporate another asset for downtown and increase
traffic for all businesses.
Goal #1
Historical Museum
Streetscape
connection to the
museum
Improve the Downtown
Business Climate
Develop a downtown park
Establish a public area with a band shell, information
kiosk and restrooms
This would further encourage pedestrian traffic and
entice new business development
goal #1
Improve the Downtown
Business Climate
Evaluate Business Needs
Survey business owners and identify needs for
marketing and promotion.
Provide technical assistance on marketing for Silver
Street
Goal #1
Improve the Downtown
Business Climate
Provide a loan program to rennovate second floor
apartments. This will keep activity in the downtown
area and provide an added customer base
Goal #1
Improve the Downtown
Business Climate
Reinvigorate the Hurley Downtown Development
Authority to provide input and oversee
developments.
goal #1
Improve Sewer and Water
System
Improve sanitary and storm sewer collection system
Make improvements as outlined in the study
completed by MSA Professional Services in January
2005.
A $6.2 million project to upgrade an old dilapidated
system.
Incorporate downtown sewer improvements with
streetscape improvements.
This would put Hurley in compliance with a
regional wastewater authority and help entice
new business development.
goal #2
Improve Sewer and Water
System
Develop a water well in Hurley and make distribution
system improvements.
Make improvements according to the study
completed by MSA Professional Services in February
2005.
A $2.5 million project to develop Hurley’s own well
and make system improvements.
Goal #2
Improve Sewer and Water
System
Reconstruct city streets.
Incorporate street reconstruction with planned
water and sewer improvements
Goal #2
Extend County Road D
Extend County Road D to Highway 77.
This has been a community development effort for
many years.
This would open up over 200 acres for a mixed use
development of light industrial, commercial and
residential.
This would take heavy truck and bus traffic off of
Silver Street improving safety and traffic flow
Enhance pedestrian traffic in a newly designed
streetscape for Silver Street.
Goal #3
County D Extension
Expand Industrial Park
Build an industrial spec building.
Construct a building that would house smaller
spaces for new and expanding businesses.
Studies from northern Wisconsin show new job
growth is coming from new and expanding
businesses from the local area.
Goal #4
Hurley Industrial Park
Develop Recreational
Opportunities
Construct walking/biking trails.
Develop non motorized trails around the
Hurley School, to Cary Park, along the riverfront
and connect them to the downtown area
Construct better parking areas for snowmobile
and ATV traffic in the downtown area.
Goal #5
Evaluation and
Documentation of Outcomes
Baseline data through surveys and demographic
information.
Develop an evaluation and measurement tool
Annual evaluation report
Final evaluation report
Project Management
Create a Steering Committee. This committee would
be made up of key stakeholders who would advise the
City Council, work with the Department of Commerce
and administer the program.
Identify a single contact person who would manage
the day to day operation of the project
What’s Missing
These were projects that have been discussed for Hurley
in the past.
Are there others?
Prioritize
Many of these projects fit together.
But where do we start and where do we end?