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Riverfront Revitalization Case Studies

Riverfront Revitalization Case Studies (4)

Unfolding in cities across the state, and the country, are inspiring stories of the rebirth of urban riverfronts. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Sheboygan have invested millions of dollars into major redevelopment projects along both the lakeshore and their riverfronts. The City of LaCrosse has remade its historic Mississippi riverfront into a must-visit destination. Manitowoc is leading the way in balancing an active manufacturing sector with recreational opportunities on the Manitowoc River. But this isn’t just a story of buildings, boats and brownfields.

Woven into these accomplishments are even deeper and longer lasting successes: access to water and recreation for everyone, the creation of family-sustaining jobs, the undoing of past pollution legacies and the creation of strong, informed and democratic citizen participation in how the riverfront is revitalized.

These are wonderful stories and the River Alliance is excited to tell you about them.

Manitowoc, WI (Manitowoc River)

Nearly all river towns draw some level of economic gain from their river, but the City of Manitowoc’s commerce stream and identity have been intimately linked to the waters that bind it—Lake Michigan and the Manitowoc River—since its founding as a city.  This trend continues today, with Manitowoc being defined by its working harbor, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, shipbuilding industry, and active ferry.  Given its location at the nexus of Lake Michigan and its namesake river,…

Wausau, WI (Wisconsin River)

Wausau, WI presents the example of a city that, for the last 100 years, has utilized its river as a regional economic driver.  The paper mills of days past have been replaced by hydroelectric dams and public parkways, drawing visitors and commerce through the Wisconsin River once again.  Citizen involvement in the river’s renewal has been prominent, particularly through representation on the Wausau River Edge Commission.  From a land policy perspective, the City has revitalized…

Minneapolis, MN (Mississippi River)

The city of Minneapolis, MN is bisected by the Mississippi River, perhaps the most storied river in the United States.  The revitalized banks of the Mississippi in Minneapolis are a striking example of how a city has taken a central leadership role in implementing a long-term vision for its riverfront.  Though the rehabilitation of the riverfront has taken over three decades, and utilized numerous land use polities, real estate transactions, and approaches, the case study…

La Crosse, WI (Mississippi River)

The revitalization of the City of La Crosse’s Mississippi riverfront is a case study in the importance of city partnerships—in this case, partnerships with the business community.  Downtown Mainstreet, Inc., an organization made up of citizen business and civic leaders, played a key role in calling for the revitalization of downtown La Crosse, an effort that would require significant expenditures of City resources.  The City responded with a set of policies and public investments that…

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