Downtown Whitewater, Inc. has issued a press release highlighting success as a Main Street Community. Whitewater’s turnout for the Main Street awards program was higher than most other communities participating.
Several Main Street Communities gathered in Downtown Madison on Thursday, May 22, 2008 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Main Street Downtown Revitalization Program. Downtown Whitewater, Inc. continues to show the efforts of the community by taking home several awards for the second year in a row. “Communities rarely experience this much excitement so soon in the Main Street Program. It normally takes 6 to 7 years to have the investments made and to receive the recognition that Whitewater has. It is truly amazing and this will certainly help to put Whitewater on the map for entrepreneurs,” stated Executive Director Tamara Brodnicki.
After completing their second year as a Main Street community Whitewater comes home with more awards. Some areas may be showing signs of a slow economy but in Whitewater investments continue to be made to revitalize their downtown. In the last few years close to $8 million has been spent and it is paying off. The downtown is something to look at and is looking for businesses to expand or to relocate there.
Ryan Hughes received an award for Best Façade Rehabilitation over $7,500 for his major project located at 200 – 214 West Whitewater Street. These prominent buildings, which had become a major downtown eyesore, have been restored through cleaning of building brick façades, reconstructed lintels and fascia and tasteful repainting of the building’s wood trim. The historic restoration of these buildings along with the adjacent Whitewater Hotel (Restored in 2006) has really improved the appearance of West Whitewater Street. Two new commercial businesses have opened in these buildings since the restoration was completed and the buildings have outstanding potential for higher and better commercial uses in the future due to the care and attention that was paid to the exterior façade improvements.
Ginny Coburn and The City of Whitewater received an award for Best Public/Private Partnership for the Stone Stable project. The reconstruction of the 150-year-old stone stable was accomplished in 2007 as a public-private partnership between the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Historical Society, the Whitewater Community Foundation, Downtown Whitewater, Inc, local citizen activists, over 190 donors, and numerous volunteers. At the dedication ceremony on November 17, the stable was officially turned over to its new owner, the City of Whitewater, who in turn will formalize an agreement with the Whitewater Historical Society, with plans to use the stable for programs and exhibits. It enhances and beautifies our downtown “civic core,” where the Depot Museum, City Hall, the Fire and Police Building, and the Cravath Lakefront Park are located. A main goal of the revitalization of downtown has been to preserve its historic features. The stone stable project is both a vivid expression of that goal and an encouragement to other downtown property owners.
Dan Malone received an honorable mention for Best New Business for Dan’s Meat Market. Their customer service is outstanding, there is no order too large or too small and they are happy to honor custom requests. Dan is an astute listener, giving people what they want as is evidenced by his hours of operation till 7:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday and even 10 am – 2 pm on Sunday. He is working with local restaurants to provide them with products they need, including the Double Dip Deli, Coyote Grill and others. They sell a full range of meat products and cheeses from Bledsoe Cheese to Chippewa Valley Cheese both in northern Wisconsin. Heather raises farm fresh chickens and has a recipe corner in the store to provide ideas for the customers. Offerings also include farm fresh organic eggs, spices and seasoning blends, venison processing and back yard smokers. Value added products include many types of sausage as well as Chicken Cordon Bleu, Chicken Parmesan, and various stuffed and marinated meats.
Lastly Downtown Whitewater, Inc. was able to recognize Dr. John Patterson as Volunteer of the year and Bill Bowen as Honorary Board Member. Both of these volunteers have been tireless advocates for improving downtown Whitewater and have contributed significantly as current Board members. Both have a passion for the downtown revitalization efforts and that makes them a tremendous asset to our downtown program.
We are very fortunate to have folks like Ryan, Ginny, Dan, John, Bill, The City of Whitewater and so many others working so diligently for our community and our downtown revitalization efforts.
For more information on this or any other project that is going on with Downtown Whitewater, Inc. please feel to contact Downtown Whitewater, Inc. at 262-473-2200.