While uncertain times continue with the presence of COVID-19, some ‘good’ things appear to be on the horizon for downtown Manitowoc.
We communicated late last week with Nick Mueller, City Planner-in charge of Business & Housing Development, who tells us that later this week the city will begin a $1 million spending plan to “transform downtown into a vibrant place where citizens can live, work and play.”
That, after the Mayor and City Council, approved funding for 2020. He says later this week the corner of South 8th & Quay Streets will be the “kickoff of a downtown street-scape transformation.”
Mueller also had an update on the Village Square building, which despite being in need of work, has been evaluated by engineers and is structurally sound.
He explained there is no raze order on the historic structure and it’s viewed as a prime opportunity for redevelopment.
Mueller says the city is working both with the current owner and potential new owner to “realize solutions that will mutually benefit all parties.”
Options include the potential redevelopment of the Village Square itself, providing adequate parking for stakeholders on the block as a whole and ensuring the goals for the downtown master plan are met.
Mueller emphasized the city remains opposed to a parking lot in place of the Village Square Building.
