Consultant suggests more parking, specific stores for downtown Menomonie
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis., July 29, 2011
It would be a good fit if a national drugstore company set up shop in downtown Menomonie, which a chain is considering, according to Jim McComb president of the Minneapolis-based economic consultation firm McComb Group, which recently did a downtown marketing analysis.
McComb said there is consumer demand for a downtown drugstore as well as a small convenience grocery store and a hardware store.
"This is the only town I've looked at that does not have a traditional hardware store," he said.
Efforts to revitalize downtown Menomonie get a closer look
abc News 18, Eau Claire, Wis., July 28, 2011
A new study could help efforts to boost interest in an area downtown.
Last spring, the Redevelopment Steering Group formed in Menomonie to explore ways to strengthen business in the downtown and improve its image. A study was done to put the group on the right path. The study was recently completed.
Downtown Menomonie redevelopment presentation
Volume One, Eau Claire, Wis., July 19, 2011
Steering group, which includes UW-Stout, invites public to hear results of market study.
Steering group to present downtown market analysis
Chippewa Valley Post, Eau Claire, Wis., July 18, 2011
Focus of group, which includes UW-Stout, is to revitalize Menomonie’s central business district.
Downtown redevelopment proposal now online
Chippewa Herald, Chippewa Falls, Wis., Apr. 26
A proposal for revitalizing downtown Menomonie is available on a website.
The proposal was first shared April 14 during public meetings at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts. At that time, the Redevelopment Steering Group and its design consultants presented the plan and took questions from the nearly 100 community members attending the meetings.
The public is invited to view the proposal at http://menomonie2020.uwstout.edu. Feedback can be provided using the online comment form.
Consultants to present proposals on dowtown revitalization project
Dunn County News, Menomonie, Wis., Apr. 6
A community stakeholders group has scheduled two open houses to discuss plans for revitalizing downtown Menomonie.
The public is invited to the design proposal meetings Thursday, April 14, at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, 205 Main St. The open houses run from 3-5 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m., with presentations at 3:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Residents suggest ways to improve downtown Menomonie
Dunn County News, Menomonie, Wis., Dec. 4
Menomonie-area residents have a number of ideas for breathing new life into downtown, according to a preliminary report from LHB, a Minneapolis consulting firm.
Residents shared their thoughts at two October community meetings sponsored by the Downtown Redevelopment Steering Group.
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Public weighs in on Menomonie downtown revitalization
Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis., Oct. 20
A stakeholder group, which includes UW-Stout, hears suggestions on ways to increase traffic, business.
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Downtown revitalization group seeking input from public
Oct. 13, 2010
A downtown revitalization group has scheduled the first of three community meetings to get input from residents.
The public is invited to Redevelopment Steering Group sessions from 3-5:30 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 420 Wilson Ave., Menomonie.
The meeting will focus on residents' ideas and hopes for downtown during large and small group discussions.
At two future community meetings, a consulting team will offer its recommendations for downtown, based in part on what it hears from the community.
The community meetings will allow residents and downtown stakeholders to share concerns, work together to assess downtown's strengths and weaknesses and to suggest priorities for change.
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Downtown Menomonie shoppers to be surveyed
Sept. 30, 2010
Starting Monday, Oct. 4, shoppers can participate in a survey to help determine what retail improvements are necessary for Menomonie's downtown.
When shoppers visit downtown retailers from October 4- 10, they'll be asked to complete a short questionnaire targeting five areas: home address, work zip code, reason for stopping at the store, gender and student status.
The data is being collected for research purposes by the city and the downtown revitalization group — a partnership of public and private members creating a redevelopment strategy for downtown Menomonie.
"Customers completing surveys will not receive anything in the mail or have their information shared with anyone beyond the city of Menomonie, the revitalization group and the store owners-managers. In fact, the survey doesn't even ask for customer names," said Diane Moen, UW-Stout vice chancellor for Administrative and Student Life Services, a member of the downtown group.
The weeklong survey will assist the city and the revitalization group in completing a market analysis for the retail area."The analysis will help us develop a comprehensive strategy that encourages downtown development and supports the right mix of businesses and residential properties," said group member Kate Hearley, interim director of Main Street Menomonie.
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Consultant Chosen by Downtown Revitalization Group
Aug. 11, 2010
A consultant has been hired to work with a Menomonie group to recommend ways to redevelop downtown.
LHB Inc. of Minneapolis, a design firm that offers services throughout the Midwest, will use its experience in community design and planning when it joins forces with the revitalization group to define a shared community and university vision and to create a comprehensive, market-driven strategy for encouraging downtown development, group members said.
Working with community stakeholders, including retailers and Realtors, LHB will analyze local markets and form a development plan that supports mixed uses, such as shopping, housing and parking.
LHB will link the design with finance and development opportunities “to maximize the downtown’s economic potential while enhancing the environment and remaining true to the city’s rich character,” said Diane Moen, UW-Stout vice chancellor for Administrative and Student Life Services, a member of the group.
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Downtown Revitalization Group Searching for Consultant
May 20, 2010
A community stakeholder group, led by the University of Wisconsin-Stout, is moving toward its goal of seeing Menomonie’s downtown revitalized.
The group issued a request for proposal Wednesday seeking an action plan for a downtown mixed-use redevelopment strategy. Proposals are due June 2, and a consultant will be selected later that month. The consultant will be expected to make final recommendations to the group in December.
The goal of the effort is to define a comprehensive and market-driven strategy for redeveloping downtown. The consultant will define a shared university and community vision and analyze the retail, office and housing markets.
Based on these analyses, the stakeholder group hopes to strengthen and expand current businesses, attract new businesses, improve the downtown image through promotion and marketing and “enhance the appeal and attractiveness of downtown Menomonie’s public and private real estate.”
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