Shorewood Seeks Community Input on Wilson Drive Master Plan

enlarge photo

Close

The Village of Shorewood faces an upcoming need to reconstruct Wilson Drive, a major arterial road linking the Oakland Avenue and Capitol Drive corridors, and is seeking opinions of village residents on how best to move forward. The Village Board will conduct focus groups and community workshops to secure public input on the best options for reconstructing the road as well as enhancing the western edge of the Village as part of that process.

“There is no way around the need to reconstruct Wilson Drive,” said Chris Swartz, Village Manager. “As we determine how best to reconstruct the road, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to consider the unique opportunities it presents to address key community needs and enhance the western edge of Shorewood.”

The Master Plan process will engage community residents to consider the best options for rebuilding the deteriorating road, while considering opportunities to:

Enhance community safety;

Improve community access to Estabrook Park;

Foster a “neighborhood” feel for Wilson Drive and the surrounding area;

Provide more opportunities for family-friendly housing;

Build the village tax base;

Drive enrollment increases at Shorewood schools;

Create a signature entrance to Shorewood for south-bound traffic; and

Foster Shorewood’s reputation as a strong environmental steward.

The Village will be providing opportunities for public involvement in the Master Plan process through targeted focus groups in early May and a Community Workshop on May 10. Recommendations based on these meetings will be presented to the Village Board in June of 2010, so that it can be incorporated into a grant proposal to the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation in July 2010. If the grant is approved, reconstruction work could begin in 2013.