The
Tower Times
City of Stoughton
Issue 2, Summer 2016
Mayor’s year in review…
tions. Traffic signals are being installed at the intersection of Jackson Street and USH 51. This will serve as the primary ped/bike crossing into the development.
The last year has brought important growth and development to the City of Stoughton.
A temporary traffic signal has been installed at USH 51 at STH 138, along with extensions of turning lanes, until the state installs a roundabout at this location in about 2020. Improvements to STH 138 will be made that will include right-in/right-out access points as well as a roundabout will provide access for the commercial center. Work on these improvements went until early December and restarted this spring and will continue until November 2016.
Our goal has always been to provide jobs, goods and services right here at home in Stoughton. Bringing new businesses and helping our own businesses grow and be successful is key to achieving that goal. The Redevelopment Authority (RDA) is a major component of the city’s economic development plan and continues to work toward that overall goal. The Revolving Loan Fund provided assistance to the Viking Brew Pub to help grow their business. Unfortunately, the RDA has received few inquiries regarding the revolving loan fund. They are working to find new ways to get the word out regarding how the fund can be used to support local business with their business needs. The Mill Fab acquisition has been a long process and is not yet completed. The RDA has been successful in negotiating a deal to purchase the property, but is still working through the various contingencies in order to close the deal. The RDA along with its consultant has prepared a detailed request for development proposals for the riverfront redevelopment area. The proposal has been updated and is complete. The RDA will wait until the Mill Fab acquisition is complete before the RFP’s are sent out. The RDA has also met with representatives from the DNR and Inter-Fluve Engineering regarding design ideas and funding opportunities for the river walk and restoration. The Kettle Park West Development is also vital for Stoughton’s future. Redevelopment and new development are important components for a vibrant community. In late August 2015, final approvals allowed the commercial center phase of development to begin. In September, construction began to extend public infrastructure into this development. These improvements will include: sanitary sewer, water, storm water improvements, shared-use path, and street construction and highway improvements. Jackson Street is being extended to the west and will include pedestrian and bicycle accommoda-
In June 2016, Wal-Mart began construction of its Supercenter facility. Kwik Trip plans have been processed and approved, and we anticipate a fall start for their project. Two different multi-tenant buildings have been reviewed and approved for construction in the commercial center, with construction anticipated on these two facilities this fall. We are currently reviewing plans for a hotel with a banquet facility that the developer anticipates will also break ground this fall. Nordic Ridge is the next great addition to our community. This is a new 72acre residential development on the southwest side of Stoughton. The first phase includes 39 single family homes and one two-family home. Future plans for the development include more residential homes and a new park. Norse View Holdings LLC has also added much needed residential homes in the North Page Street area. Twenty-three homes have been built to date. Stoughton Hospital is adding on and remodeling their emergency room area, day surgery team center, ambulance garage and staff area. Nauti Norske, located at 324 S. Water Street is a family destination for indoor and outdoor dining and entertainment on the Yahara River in downtown Stoughton. It is currently a work in progress: Rip-rap has been installed along the river bank, and brick pavers and electric are currently being installed at the rear of the property. Some additional projects include: • Tom Vavra, owner of the BP station has brought several plans to the Planning Commission, as they look to undertake a major remodel of the convenience store. • Deak’s Pub and Grill will be adding an outdoor seating area. • Stoughton’s first dog daycare will be located at 1115 W. Main St. Pups Unleashed is now open and ready to serve our community. • A new 14-unit apartment building is going up at 400 S. Van Buren Street. Residential growth is also planned for Chalet Court. • Milestone Senior Living, located at 2208 Lincoln Ave., has been completed and is now accepting residents. • O’Reilly Auto Parts is complete and open for business. • Spanrie Properties’ seven-unit residential building at 2301 Lincoln Ave. is almost complete. • Exclusively Roses is adding on to its facility in our Business Park. The city’s economic development team has also had conversations with folks interested in bringing their businesses to Stoughton. Some examples include: an urban winery, a craft brewing company, a trucking terminal, a restaurant, a grocery store and several others. We have also been talking with several local business as to how we can help them grow right here in Stoughton when the time is right. We will continue to work toward our goal of providing jobs, goods and services right here at home in Stoughton. Growing our community is good for our schools, our city and our community.
2015 statistics
172 commercial building permits 579 residential building permits 18 new residential homes 1 new duplex