WHITEWATER — Plans are ramping up to further revitalize downtown with Station Park Plaza, a space for the commercial, recreational and social.
“In trying to revitalize the downtown, we’re trying to create a destination,” said John Patterson, secretary of the Downtown Whitewater board and member of the Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee.
The segment of Whitewater Street from Fremont Street to Center Street and the portion of Cravath Lakefront Park that fronts the street would be redesigned as a pedestrian-friendly plaza.
Plans for the park drawn up in the mid-1990s called for a “town square” with a fountain, brick pavers and benches. The space was intended for downtown events such as a farmers market or an art fair.
The proposed Station Park Plaza fulfills those original plans, Patterson said.
The project has two phases. The first involves:
-- Removing the curbs and replacing them with short, vertical posts, large planters and bicycle racks.
-- Widening the street.
-- Adding angle parking on the north side of the street. Parallel parking would remain on the south side of the street.
The second phase includes improvements to the park such as a multi-purpose gazebo, which could serve as an information center during festivals, a small group meeting space or a performance space.
The Downtown Whitewater board, which presented its plan to the city council, parks and recreation board and plan commission Aug. 26, wanted to preserve the open character of the park, so that the plaza will be a versatile space, Patterson said.
Russell Devitt, president of the Downtown Whitewater board, said the board suggested adding a life-size chess set, a fenced play area and picnic tables with umbrellas.
Although the specifics are up for discussion, “the notion (of a plaza) received almost unanimous support” from the city, he said.
A smaller group of representatives from Downtown Whitewater and the city is working on cost estimates for each phase of the project, Devitt said. The city has given a nod to using tax incremental finance money to fund the project, he said.
Devitt said construction could begin next year.
Patterson said creation of Cravath Lakefront Park in the mid-1990s breathed life into downtown when it was struggling.
“The community made a tremendous investment in the downtown park,” he said. “And now we’re just starting to see the benefits of that.”
Station Park Plaza, he said, would continue the trend.