Wells Park Promenade
 
 

Down Town Master Plan Overview

The combination of the Fox River, two business centers and riverbanks connected by a distinctive bridge, and an interaction of the contemporary and the historical makes Downtown De Pere a unique environment for working, shopping, living, and recreation. During the last two decades, a community partnership has created a vital city center full of past accomplishment and future possibilities.
 
This partnership has rebuilt much of the west bank, revitalized the east bank of the Fox River, supported the continued growth of a distinguished center for higher learning, revitalized traditional business streets, linked the city together with a symbolic new bridge, and established the basis of a strong management infrastructure. It has helped De Pere become a regional commercial and governmental center and a memorable destination for generations of visitors.
 
This chapter presents a unified concept that builds on these accomplishments and uses realistic market potential, new access, current initiatives and assets, and the city's distinctive character to create a city center for this century - a center that provides economic opportunity, urbanity, and delight for people of all ages.
 

Goals for Downtown Development

A successful effort that continues the dynamic process of development for Downtown De Pere will:
 
  • Unite the City. Downtown is the bridge that unites the east and west sides of De Pere, and links the district to regional access routes. Downtowns are often viewed as common territory belonging to all citizens.
However, De Pere's history as two municipalities with individual business districts has kept people from thinking about Downtown as a single, unified city center. Instead, both banks of the river should be part of everyone's vision of their city - and people should view their wonderful, wide river as more "canal" than "ocean."
 

 Link downtown's destinations. Downtown's assets include two traditional business districts with destination businesses; a public riverfront with features such as the Fox River Trail and Voyageur Park; St. Norbert College; the iconic Claude Allouez Bridge; major public facilities; and, in the future, a unique RiverWalk and canal interpretative district. These features will be even more valuable when connected by a fabric of new private investments, pathways, and public spaces.

 

Bridge Art Options
 
Use the potential of transportation to create a high-quality economic and physical environment. Transportation is a powerful force in the formation of quality urban environments. Downtown's transportation system should move people efficiently and smoothly to their destinations, whether they are specific destinations or parking lots - andwhether they are moving by car, foot, bus, or bicycle.
 

It should serve business by increasing ease of access and convenience, and should be a "friend" rather than a source of anxiety to users. Transportation facilities should be thoughtfully designed and occasionally inspiring (exemplified by the new Claude Allouez Bridge) and should contribute to the health of individuals and sustainability of the environment. Our largest single public investment should do more than serve only as a conduit for cars, especially in Downtown De Pere. Effective transportation is a key to linking and unifying two business centers separated by a river.

 

Reid street/ Main Ave Traffic
 
Improve the supply and convenience of parking. Parking should be adequate in supply and convenient to use, without dominating the urban fabric and character of Downtown. Parking facilities and the street network should be integrated to guide people to parking as directly as possible.
 
Increase business and private investment. The downtown development program should encourage new private investment and expand the district's share of regional consumer spending. It should support existing businesses, and reward productive reinvestment in buildings, new business starts, and other private decisions that strengthen the district. Strategic investments in the public realm create conditions for economic growth that is unlikely to happen spontaneously. These investments in turn create an economy that sustains itself and continues to grow productively.
 

Capitalize on key business niches. Downtown De Pere should build on a base of existing iconic retailers to both sustain these businesses and attract new, complementary enterprises. Destination businesses like Seroogy's Chocolates are widely known and bring customers Downtown. St. Norbert College is also famous as the training facility for the Packers, opening other business possibilities. Potential niches for retail growth include specialty retailing, home furnishings, eating and drinking establishments, the arts, sporting goods, and quality hospitality.

 

Seroogy's front
 

Add life to the district. Downtown should combine basic services with features and amenities that make the district more convenient and entertaining. Activating underused sites elevates downtown's climate as a destination for business, entertainment and culture. Emerging markets, such as tourism, housing, retail and office niches should be encouraged.

 

Alley Improvements
 
Advocate sustainability. The plan must consider the implications of today's decisions on future generations living in De Pere. Actions should always consider the effects on the triple bottom line - social, economic and environment.
 

Create new neighborhoods in the downtown. Residential development has helped revitalize Downtown De Pere, creating a growing neighborhood on both sides of the river. An even stronger residential component supports a mix of retail uses and services in the downtown, and creates an atmosphere that customers from outside the district find comfortableand attractive. Future housing developments should mix incomes and occupancy types, and fully use downtown's assets of water, culture, and convenience. De Pere's past residential development has included both reuse of historic buildings, like the Lawton Foundry, and development of new ones, like Nicolet Highlands.

 

Nicolet Square improvement