Posted: Nov. 18, 2009

Shorewood — A Madison consulting firm has been hired to spend the next few months developing a master plan for Atwater Park.

Dan Ford, chairman of the village's Parks Commission, said JJR's expertise in working with bluffs along Lake Michigan is one of the primary reasons for its selection from the four final contenders for the work.

The master plan will be the third ongoing study of the park and bluff area.

Bonestroo and Gilles Engineering are studying the structure of the bluff, which has shifted slightly. The first phase of the work is completed but a second phase is under way.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is doing an ecological study of the area as well.

The work of the three groups will overlap and complement each other, said Village Manager Chris Swartz.

The $29,150 contract with JJR calls for two public listening sessions, with the first one likely in January.

Ford, who headed the selection committee that picked JRR, suggested creating a steering committee to work with the company.

He hopes to invite the other four members of the selection committee to participate and to involve others from the village to form a committee of about 10 people.

The plan, which should be finished in February, is expected to address the issue of where an 8-foot-tall sculpture donated to the village should be located. The village has accepted the donation, but it will not be put in the park until the plan is finished.