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BID discusses facade grants, downtown lighting and seasonal programming after market wins top state ranking
Summary
At its Oct. 7 meeting the Downtown West Bend BID reviewed facade grant scheduling and design-assistance options, discussed the downtown master plan’s public lighting choices and heard reports on upcoming fall/winter events; the Downtown Association also announced the farmers market was ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin and top 10 nationally.
The Downtown West Bend BID on Oct. 7 heard updates on facade grants and the downtown master plan’s public lighting, and received reports on seasonal programming and awards from partner organizations.
John, the BID/city staff liaison, said the facade grant committee will meet Thursday to decide whether to focus on smaller projects or continue to support larger grants; he noted several large grants in recent cycles (including projects around $200,000) that have not advanced and suggested the committee consider design-assistance seed money ($500–$1,000) to help applicants produce viable proposals.
On lighting, John outlined that downtown currently uses multiple fixture types — some rented, some owned — and that staff will meet with public works, parks and utility provider We Energies to identify which fixtures are maintainable and fit the downtown’s historic character. "The downtown master plan design guidelines basically say you should have some consistency with your lighting," he said, and staff intends to narrow choices before asking consultants to finalize the plan.
The board also received reports on downtown events. A Downtown Association representative reported the farmers market was voted No. 1 in Wisconsin for the fourth consecutive year and placed in the national top 10 for the first time: "our market, our farmers market, got voted number 1 in the state of Wisconsin again this year, fourth year in a row, and for the first time ever, top 10 in the nation," the representative said. The association reviewed fall events (soup & sourdough, trick-or-treat on Main Street, an autumn wine walk) and previewed plans for a new Christmas market with permanent vendor stalls on Sixth Avenue.
The Bend Theatre’s Noelle outlined upcoming programming — a free indoor series called Origins featuring singer-songwriters, comedy and tribute acts in October and November, and benefit performances supporting Camp Hometown Heroes in late October — and said the theatre will collaborate with the BID on tree-lighting activities.
Next steps: staff will pursue detailed lighting inventories and meetings with utilities and maintenance staff, the facade committee will evaluate project sizes and potential design-assistance funding at its upcoming meeting, and partners will finalize event schedules and communications for the holiday season.
