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Racine council approves long-term agreement with Leopold Johnson group for Shoup Park restoration
Summary
After a lengthy public comment period and debate over wetlands, deed restrictions and shoreline protections, the Racine Common Council approved an agreement with the Leopold Johnson Golf Group to restore Shoup Park’s shoreline and redevelop the golf course under a long-term lease.
The Racine Common Council voted unanimously July 21 to authorize the mayor and city clerk to enter an agreement with the Leopold Johnson Golf Group to stabilize the Shoup Park shoreline, restore habitat and redevelop the municipal golf course under a long-term lease.
The vote followed extensive public comment both for and against the plan and more than two hours of council discussion. Supporters pointed to a $10 million private investment to repair long-deferred maintenance and expand recreational and economic opportunities; opponents raised concerns about impacts to mature shoreline trees, protected wetlands and whether a 50-year lease commits parkland before required permits are secured.
“Under this proposal for no cost to city residents…this is an opportunity to greatly enhance that asset with a fabulous investment of $10,000,000,” said Jeff Neubaughn in public comment advocating passage. A representative of the Leopold Johnson Golf Group told the council the family expects no financial return: “We will never get it back,” the presenter said, describing the effort as a generational investment in Racine.
Legal questions were a central part of the debate. Christine Kern, reading for Abigail King, urged delay, citing a Nov. 14, 2025 Wisconsin DNR finding that six wetlands were not artificial and remain protected under state law. The city attorney, appearing on the record, advised the council that municipal golf courses have long been recognized as legitimate public park uses under Wisconsin law and that the proposed lease would not remove the land from the park system.
Council members stressed that the lease is conditional on obtaining required permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The developer said the final lease agreement is subject to those approvals and that the city would retain ownership of the property.
The council’s action transfers approval authority for the agreement to the mayor and clerk for execution and allows the parties to move forward with permitting and detailed plans. The measure passed 15–0.
Next steps include permitting reviews and follow-up oversight by city departments and committees; council members indicated they expect future hearings and compliance checks as permits and project details are finalized.
