Wisconsin
Waterfront Resources
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IMPORTANT: As of July 1st, 2011, functions once performed by the Wisconsin Department of Commerce have been moved to other state agencies and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The former Commerce web site will continue to exist for the next several months as resources are moved to new web site locations. We will make every attempt possible to direct our users to the new locations as web resources are moved.
 Wisconsin
Waterfront Initiative
Best Practices
Best Practices for a Successful Waterfront Revitalization
Access
- Contact with water
- Continuous
public space at
the edge
- Open and green
- Connections
to the urban
core & neighborhoods
- Multi-modal
- Welcoming to
all
Quality
of
Amenities,
Activities & Design
- Continuity of design
elements
- Quality of construction,
materials, maintenance
- Comfort, safety
- Place
specific
- Variety
Economic
Development
- Water is the attraction
- Built
for local residents
- Integration of public and
private
- Mixed use
- Housing
- Maximize the
edge
- Eco-tourism
Environmental
Quality
- Work with nature
- Restore
ecological functions
- Diversity
of native species
- Habitat restoration
- Improve
water
quality
- Natural areas
- Green
building practices
- Integrate interpretation
- Reduce
noise and visual
pollution
Public Process
- Informed involvement
- Open/transparent/clear
- Alternatives
evaluation
- Stimulates imaginative
thinking
- Willingness to experiment
and take risks
- Cultivates sense of
ownership & pride
Access
Contact
with water
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- Amphitheater
Space
- Viewing platform/overlook deck
- Water
& watercraft
opportunities, ferry service
- Beaches &
walkways
- Public seating areas
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Continuous
Public Space at the Edge
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- Biking
systems
- Public access corridors
- Promenade
space
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Open
and
Green
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- Green
expanses that connect the
waterfront with downtown business districts
- Large
open green spaces for public
recreation
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Connections
to the Urban
Core and Neighborhoods
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- Pedestrian
bridges
- Downtown skywalks &
riverwalks
- Festive banners, trees, broad
sidewalks
- Segregated vehicle and
bike/pedestrian traffic
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Multi-modal
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- All-purpose
trail systems
- Ferry system/water taxis
- Scenic
drive/parking areas
- Trolley
system
- Bridge bike/walking paths
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Welcoming
to all
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- Floral
displays/colorful landscape
areas
- Locational signs/displays
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Back
to start of web page
Quality
of
Amenities,
Activities,
& Design
Continuity
of Design Elements
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- Repetition
of materials and
detailing to identify the waterfront area
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Quality
of Construction, Materials,
Maintenance
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- Landscaping
& furnishings
designed specifically for area
- Signature design pieces
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Comfort,
Safety
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- Comfortable
places to sit, lounge,
or sunbath
- Water fountains
Places for public to obtain services
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Place
Specific
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- Preserves
area’s history/legacy
- Public Art
- Maximize
potential of prominent
views
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Variety
|
- Passive
relaxation
activities
opportunities
- Active sports opportunities
- Range
of opportunities for all
interests and skill levels
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Back
to start of web page
Economic
Development
Water
is
the Attraction
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- Expensive
real estate overlooks the
waterfront for a reason
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Built
for Local Residents
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- Improvements
should be first for
residents and then for tourists
- Platforms
for local fishing
- Neighborhood
basketball/volleyball
courts
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Integration
of Public and Private
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- Restaurants,
shops, marinas mixed
with public areas
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Mixed
Use
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- Residential,
office &
commercial establishments in same buildings
- Special
events spaces
- Promote utilization year
round
- Mixed public and private uses
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Housing
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- Promote
activity at all hours
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Maximize
the Edge
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- Mix
of
uses
- Provide opportunity for exposure to
water
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Eco-Tourism
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- Aquatic
education programs
- Shipwreck dives
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Back
to start of web page
Environmental
Quality
Work
With Nature
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- Boardwalks
that adjust to rising
and falling water levels
- Parks designed to work with the
path of the sun
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Restore
Ecological Functions
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Diversity
of Native Species
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- Utilize
native and indigenous plants
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Habitat
Restoration
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Improve
Water Quality
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- Water
quality improvement efforts
- Interpretive exhibits that
explain
work
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Natural
Areas
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- Allow
unstructured space for
natural growth
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Green
Building
Practices
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- Green
building
- Green roof systems
- Wind generation
- Historic Preservation
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Reuse
existing buildings
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- Historic
Preservation maintains community history and
character
- Attracts tourism
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Integrate
Interpretation
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- Educational
materials on
environment and history
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Reduce
Noise and Visual Pollution
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- No
billboards, overhead utility
poles/wire
- Vegetation buffers from noise
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Back
to start of web page
Source:
A slide show presentation featuring successful waterfront examples from
around the United States is available through the following link
courtesy of the BLUE Project of EcoCity Cleveland and the Cleveland
Waterfront Coalition, May 2003. http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/ecologicaldesign/blue/best_practices/bp_intro.html
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