The City of Racine is seeking innovative new development projects, which foster reinvestment in – and the reimagining of – existing sites throughout the city. Several exciting proposals are currently in the process of being implemented or under consideration for future development. This includes the redevelopment of Regency Mall as outlined in the TIF 20 Project Plan. The RootWorks Area-Wide Plan and Implementation Strategy, while not focused on a specific project, sets the stage for potential redevelopment of significant areas of Racine’s riverfront, lakefront and downtown.
Besides some of the higher profile projects that receive a considerable amount of coverage, the city has experienced a strong interest in the redevelopment of a number of existing buildings. Numerous property owners have invested in their properties, creating fresh, code-compliant spaces occupied by new tenants and businesses. The Facade Grant Program was utilized in many of these projects.
Regency Mall Area / TID 20
The City of Racine, like many communities, is experiencing changes to the health and quality of its retail properties. The City of Racine’s largest commercial hub is centered at Green Bay Road and Durand Avenue. The city recognizes this opportunity to reposition the area surrounding the Regency Mall, which opened in 1981, for reinvestment and growth and has created Tax Increment District (TID) No. 20 to assist in improving the corridor. The Hull Property Group has acquired the mall property and is currently implementing upgrades to the building’s interior and exterior and working with tenants to bring in new retailers and increase customer traffic. The Hull Group is reaching out to nearby property owners to develop cooperative approaches to strengthen this important commercial corridor located both in the city and in the Village of Mount Pleasant.
RootWorks Area-Wide Plan
In September of 2015, the City of Racine, Wisconsin and the Racine Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) hired a consultant team led by Vandewalle & Associates to produce an area-wide Plan for the community’s highest priority redevelopment area, the Root River Redevelopment Area – a prominent corridor along the Root River adjacent to downtown from the Racine Harbor west to the 6th Street Bridge – now known as the “RootWorks” Area.
City of Racine Purchasing Office (RFPs and NOFAs)
The City of Racine will occasionally issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) or a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). All project descriptions, eligibility and application instructions are found within the listed RFP or NOFA documents. The City of Racine may have projects where qualified individuals or companies can participate in the bidding process. Developers and other vendors interested in city projects should contact the Purchasing Office to verify current open bids.