As our communities struggle to make it in tough economic times, we need to look at what we can do as a Legislature to help economic development on Main Street in our communities.
The Downtown Wisconsin Act is an idea we have that just needs a bit more moxie to pass the full Legislature, and this session may be the time to do it. The Downtown Wisconsin Act, 2009 Senate Bill 55, is a proposal authored by my colleague, Sen. Julie Lassa, which I support as co-author. Grown out of a consortium of work from downtown planners, business owners, historic preservationists and developers across the state, this legislation began as a proposal authored by Rep. Shilling and then-Representative, now Department of Administration deputy director, Dan Schooff. Since that first bill, there have been a number of changes to address concerns of stakeholders, and what remains is a blueprint to spur economic growth in Wisconsin downtowns.
To achieve our goal of economic growth at the local level, we can help invigorate our downtown areas when they need it the most with smart small business development and preventing of unnecessary urban sprawl. The Downtown Act has several provisions, including:
• A definition and certification process for downtowns interested in economic development efforts.
• Guidelines to assist communities in reconstructing central business districts that are destroyed in major disasters..
• More flexible interpretation of the State Historic Building Code to help expand the preservation and restoration of historic buildings.
• Language to improve Community Sensitive Design (CSD) consideration for Main Street Communities and Department of Commerce Certified Downtowns to help facilitate better financial support for downtown physical appearances,
• Eliminating the differential treatment for historic developments that fall outside of the current limits on downtown area - expanding the credit.
Especially now, we are looking for new ways to improve economic development and redevelopment in our communities. Downtown locations have been traditional development areas, but struggle to keep up with development further out in the community. Making it easier for downtown areas to redevelop will make our traditional community centers stronger and help us achieve the goal of a stronger state economy built from the local level up. Any comprehensive economic development initiative should include a downtowns component that focuses on the growth of our central businesses - we should not limit our economic potential by forgetting downtown areas. Nearly all jobs created in Wisconsin come from companies that currently exist in Wisconsin - we all know that small business development is the key to strength in Wisconsin's economy.
Supported by the business community, local leaders and the Wisconsin Historical Society, this proposal should move forward this year. It is estimated that last year the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit brought in $55 million in investments to Wisconsin. We can build on that growth with more opportunities to renovate and reconstruct historic buildings in our downtowns.
Reinvigorating our downtown areas will create jobs, increase local tax revenue, create opportunities for more public-private partnerships, increase property values in existing neighborhoods, help with tourism, and develop small businesses. Please keep in touch as the Downtown Wisconsin Act moves through the Legislature this session. Call the office at (608) 266-6670 or (888) 549-0027 or e-mail sen.erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.gov.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach,
D-Waunakee, serves the 27th Senate District.
The Downtown Wisconsin Act is an idea we have that just needs a bit more moxie to pass the full Legislature, and this session may be the time to do it. The Downtown Wisconsin Act, 2009 Senate Bill 55, is a proposal authored by my colleague, Sen. Julie Lassa, which I support as co-author. Grown out of a consortium of work from downtown planners, business owners, historic preservationists and developers across the state, this legislation began as a proposal authored by Rep. Shilling and then-Representative, now Department of Administration deputy director, Dan Schooff. Since that first bill, there have been a number of changes to address concerns of stakeholders, and what remains is a blueprint to spur economic growth in Wisconsin downtowns.
To achieve our goal of economic growth at the local level, we can help invigorate our downtown areas when they need it the most with smart small business development and preventing of unnecessary urban sprawl. The Downtown Act has several provisions, including:
• A definition and certification process for downtowns interested in economic development efforts.
• Guidelines to assist communities in reconstructing central business districts that are destroyed in major disasters..
• More flexible interpretation of the State Historic Building Code to help expand the preservation and restoration of historic buildings.
• Language to improve Community Sensitive Design (CSD) consideration for Main Street Communities and Department of Commerce Certified Downtowns to help facilitate better financial support for downtown physical appearances,
• Eliminating the differential treatment for historic developments that fall outside of the current limits on downtown area - expanding the credit.
Especially now, we are looking for new ways to improve economic development and redevelopment in our communities. Downtown locations have been traditional development areas, but struggle to keep up with development further out in the community. Making it easier for downtown areas to redevelop will make our traditional community centers stronger and help us achieve the goal of a stronger state economy built from the local level up. Any comprehensive economic development initiative should include a downtowns component that focuses on the growth of our central businesses - we should not limit our economic potential by forgetting downtown areas. Nearly all jobs created in Wisconsin come from companies that currently exist in Wisconsin - we all know that small business development is the key to strength in Wisconsin's economy.
Supported by the business community, local leaders and the Wisconsin Historical Society, this proposal should move forward this year. It is estimated that last year the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit brought in $55 million in investments to Wisconsin. We can build on that growth with more opportunities to renovate and reconstruct historic buildings in our downtowns.
Reinvigorating our downtown areas will create jobs, increase local tax revenue, create opportunities for more public-private partnerships, increase property values in existing neighborhoods, help with tourism, and develop small businesses. Please keep in touch as the Downtown Wisconsin Act moves through the Legislature this session. Call the office at (608) 266-6670 or (888) 549-0027 or e-mail sen.erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.gov.
- Sen. Jon Erpenbach,
D-Waunakee, serves the 27th Senate District.
