A Historic Landmark: The 1901 Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator

Read the documentation for the National Register of Historic Places here.

Visit the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society website, and its information about the 1901 Teweles and Brandeis Granary.

“The Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator not only tells a story but has such a great presence on the landscape."

Neil Prendergast, State Preservation Review Board Vice-Chair, and History Committee member (August 18, 2017)

"The Teweles and Brandeis grain elevator is now the only surviving historic resource in the city that can attest to the city's historically important role in agricultural production in Door County , and the elevator's significance is further strengthened by its highly original exterior and interior."

- Timothy F. Heggland, historic preservation professional

"Agriculture built this City."

- George Evenson, Door County Historian

Looking for wonderful ideas, Sturgeon Bay!

Please participate in envisioning Sturgeon Bay’s waterfront.

(1) Take the waterfront ideas survey!

(2) NEW: 9 am Tuesday at City Hall if you can make it -- guest experts on public trust doctrine;

(3) Public Meetings 7 pm Tuesday and Wednesday at the high school!

Sturgeon Bay,
There are many important meetings this week, but chief among them is this:

Tom German, deputy secretary for the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, and Robert Rosenberger, deputy bureau director for the DNR, will be in Sturgeon Bay for an ad hoc Westside Waterfront Planning Committee meeting this coming Tuesday, 1/22, at 9:15 a.m. in council chambers. The meeting is open to the public. It will also be audio recorded. They'll be addressing questions about the public trust doctrine and how it impacts future development of the waterfront site.

After all we've all been through, it would be great to pack the room and hear directly from the horse's mouth, as they say. (It's too bad that this is a daytime meeting, but we're so fortunate to have these two gentleman coming to Sturgeon Bay. Thank you to those who can come. We'll record the meeting for those who can only be there in spirit.)

Council chambers
9:15 a.m. Tuesday, 1/22
Tom German, Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (your lands!)
Robert Rosenberger, DNR

Appeal filed on Granary raze order

For immediate release
Questions? Contact Barb Allmann at (920)256-1678; or
Dennis Statz at (920)559-0561

Alderperson Allmann and Historic Preservation Commission Chair Statz petition for due process

On December 4, Alderperson Barb Allmann and local business owner Dennis Statz filed a petition to appeal the Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief’s raze order of the historic granary with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Statz is the chairperson of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and Allmann serves as the Council representative.

On October 30, the City’s Historic Preservation Commission passed a resolution in support of preserving the granary and working with the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society to utilize private dollars. Minutes of the HPC meeting were not shared with the City Council until after a motion to dismantle the structure was voted on and approved by the Council on November 21.  The HPC resolution has not been discussed by the Council and although members of the Council have asked for the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society proposal to be added to numerous Council agendas, the mayor of Sturgeon Bay has declined to include it.

“The Historic Preservation Commission is made up of citizens who volunteer their time and voted to see the granary preserved,” states Allmann. “Our community deserves to at least hear the details of the Society’s proposal, know what’s being offered, and have a discussion on possibilities.”

The Allmann/Statz petition references the HPC resolution, a letter of support from the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center, and the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society’s offers to utilize private donations in excess of $1,250,000 to restore the structure. The petition references the City’s 2010 Comprehensive Plan that lists five overall goals, one of which is to “seek preservation and maintain the abundant natural and historic resources within and surrounding the City.” The petition also includes an exhibit of over 50 letters from community members in support of preservation.

In August, the granary was listed on the State Registry of Historic Places. This requires a review of the structure prior to demolition. On November 3, the Wisconsin Historical Society alerted the City that it would not be able to review the granary and stated it “had not been provided sufficient documentation that the building is structurally deficient.”

The Allmann/Statz petition states that the City Fire Chief has no contemporary structural engineering reports or other professional report to substantiate the finding in the raze order and gives no option for remedy or repair.

Alderperson Laurel Hauser spoke with the Department of Safety and Professional Services Attorney Supervisor Al Rohmeyer after the petition was received. Rohmeyer told Hauser that although the Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief acted as a deputy of the state in issuing the raze order, DSPS sees this as a local issue and strongly encourages the Council and the Fire Chief to come to an agreement. Rohmeyer stated that he’d advised the Fire Chief to work with his lawyers to suggest a compromise. As of this press release, no compromise has been received.

The complete petition, with supporting documents, is available on www.centerlineforum.org/documents.

$1,250,000 Committed to Restoration of Historic Granary

(November 10th: Please visit this page for updated information on Saving the Granary)

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society (SBHS) is pleased to announce that a donor family has committed $1,250,000 toward the repair, restoration and future maintenance of the historic 1901 Teweles & Brandeis grain elevator, situated on the City of Sturgeon Bay’s westside waterfront, for public benefit.

The $1,250,000 commitment, facilitated by the Door County Community Foundation, stipulates that the City of Sturgeon Bay, owner of the property, and SBHS work in collaboration on future plans for the structure. It also stipulates that a portion of the gift be set aside in an endowment for the granary’s ongoing care.

In early 2017, SBHS submitted an application to the Wisconsin Historical Society to have the granary listed on the Wisconsin Registry of Historic Places. In August of 2017, the listing was made official at a ceremony in Madison. The granary is expected to be added to the National Registry of Historic Places within the coming weeks.

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, “The Teweles and Brandeis grain elevator is an excellent, highly intact example of a grain processing and storage building of a type that was once frequently encountered in communities in Wisconsin and in many other Midwestern states….It is now the only surviving historic resource in the city that can attest to the city’s historically important role in agriculture production in Door County.”

In 2013, the City of Sturgeon Bay hired the Minneapolis-based engineering firm Meyer Borgman Johnson (MBJ) to conduct an extensive analysis of the structure’s suitability for reuse. The firm concluded that, “the existing elevator is in generally good condition and retains sufficient capacity to support this intended use, with some modifications.”

SBHS has offered to fund a follow-up analysis by MBJ to determine if its 2013 findings remain relevant. SBHS is committed to public safety and to procuring the data necessary to do a full assessment of the structure’s soundness.

SBHS looks forward to working with the City of Sturgeon Bay and the greater community. “Our goal,” states SBHS president, Christie Weber, “is to stabilize and restore the grain elevator so that it can continue to tell the story of Sturgeon Bay and Door County’s agricultural past. Exactly how that happens will depend on a lot of community input. We have a talented community and a talented City staff. We hope that the details will be worked out in the coming months, but we’re thrilled that this generous gift ensures that, no matter what else happens with the surrounding property, the grain elevator will remain an iconic structure on the westside waterfront and a symbol of this community’s commitment to its history.” SBHS is open to partnering with other entities in developing the grain elevator’s future.

Sturgeon Bay’s Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2010, states, “Cultural resources... provide the City of Sturgeon Bay with a sense of heritage, identity, and civic pride…and can also provide economic development opportunities for the City and its residents.”

SBHS will be asking the Door County community to contribute additional funds as the restoration project proceeds. Weber notes that, “In addition to dollars and ideas, we are interested in any stories and photographs people have related to the grain elevator.” For more information, and to make a pledge of support to SBHS and the granary, please visit: www.centerlineforum.org/historic-granary.

The mission of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society is to preserve Sturgeon Bay’s living history, which defines our community character and our cultural evolution, for future generations.

Read the Door County Community Foundation's letter to the City.

Help Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Save the Teweles and Brandeis Granary

The Teweles and Brandeis Granary was built 116 years ago. Four years ago, a professional design and structural engineering firm, hired by the City, concluded that the elevator was $150,000 shy of being stabilized and ready for a future use.

Please Pledge Your Support. More information about the Granary here.

Press Release: City prepares to tear down Historic Grain Elevator without proper study.

See the 2013 Structural Analysis of Grain Elevator (8Mb) from engineering firm Meyer Borgman Johnson. In 2013, the City of Sturgeon Bay hired Meyer Borgman Johnson (MBJ), a professional structural design and engineering firm, to conduct a thorough structural analysis of the granary’s superstructure. After taking measurements, the firm stated, “a detailed computer analysis model was constructed to capture the elevator behavior. The model includes over 1,000 pieces, over 700 plates, and over 1,200 connections. Twenty-six different load combinations of wind, self-weight, and live load were considered… The computer analysis was supplemented by hand calculations and MBJ analysis spreadsheets to determine loads and to confirm the computer results.”

In summarizing its findings, MBJ goes on to state, “Based on the information gathered during the site visit report and the subsequent calculations, it is our conclusion that the existing elevator is in generally good condition and retains sufficient capacity to support this intended use, with some modifications.”

State Historic Preservation Board Lists Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator

For immediate Release – August 25, 2017

On Friday, the Wisconsin Historic Preservation Review Board affirmed the significance of the Teweles & Brandeis grain elevator, located on Sturgeon Bay’s west side. By unanimous vote, the Board approved the granary for inclusion on the State Registry of Historic Places, noting the role it played in the region’s community and agricultural life. The Board action culminates a designation process that began in 2015. The State Historic Preservation Officer will now forward the Board’s findings to the federal Department of the Interior, which will evaluate the granary for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

“The granary has always been a hub of economic activity,” said Sturgeon Bay Historical Society President Christie Weber. “Farmers used to bring wagons full of peas there for processing and sale, and of course local people remember the granary’s many years as part of the Door County Co-op complex. We’re grateful to the Preservation Review Board for its meticulous work evaluating the granary and gratified that the Board deemed it worthy of listing. It’s an honor.”

Alderman Kelly Catarozoli also attended the Friday meeting in Madison. “Many cities’ most beloved places were once abandoned historic structures that have been returned to economic productivity thanks to thoughtful rehabilitation. Some people see only a dilapidated structure, but we’ve come a long way from redevelopment by wrecking ball. With the Maritime Museum, the trail system and Sawyer Park, we’ve got the makings of a waterfront cultural district. That would be consistent with the site’s status as public land and also complement the commercial and industrial uses we already have along our waterfront. The more distinctive Sturgeon Bay becomes, and the better the access we provide to the water, the more competitive we will be as a tourism destination too,” said Catarozoli.

The building’s distinctive profile and waterfront location make it attractive for a range of public, private and not-for-profit uses. “National designation would also help a future not-for-profit user, because the building’s rehabilitation creates another fundraising objective they can use to attract support. The Historical Society is working to get a handle on the building’s renovation requirements and clarity about what the Sturgeon Bay City Council needs to become confident that adaptive reuse is the best strategy for the granary and the City,” said Weber.

The Historical Society wants the granary to return to productivity to further both economic development and historic preservation in Sturgeon Bay. “It’s a little counter-intuitive,” said Weber, “but the best way to preserve a building is to fill it with bustling activity. We want the granary to be a magnet for community life and a hub of commerce… fulfilling its historic role in a way that makes sense for contemporary Sturgeon Bay. “

For further information, contact Kelly Avenson at (920) 559-0504.

Sturgeon Bay Historical Society members receive Historic Designation for the Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator from the State Historic Preservation Office, Madison, WI

Sturgeon Bay Historical Society members receive Historic Designation for the Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator from the State Historic Preservation Office, Madison, WI

Granary rendering by Kelly Avenson, an example of what a simple paint job could do to the granary and how with just a little love the Granary could have so much life back.

Granary rendering by Kelly Avenson, an example of what a simple paint job could do to the granary and how with just a little love the Granary could have so much life back.

Added history of former grain elevator within today's Sawyer Park

A local source added to the historical narrative of the Teweles & Brandeis Granary, noting that there were actually four elevators on the Sturgeon Bay waterfront, not three. The fourth, smaller, elevator was part of the Bay View Roller Mill, located where the Sawyer Park launch ramp is now. This elevator was torn down in the 1970’s. The City erected a historical marker that includes this facility as part of the markers within Sawyer Park.

“The Bay View Roller Mill was established in 1885 by Charles Whiteside, L.C. Thorkildson, & A. Shaw on what was then the shore of the bay. In 1899 the adjoining granary on the left was brought to this site by water from Little Sturgeon in the southern part of Door County. The picture (ca. 1920) shows the mill when it was operated by the Bushman Milling Co.  A mainstay of the Sturgeon Bay waterfront during the late 1800’s and first half of the 20th century, the mill buildings were removed after the city acquired the property in 1975 for parkland. They stood in what is now the parking lot for the Sawyer Park Boat Launch.”

This photograph shows a ship unloading at the Bushman Dock (the next dock over from Teweles & Brandeis’ Sawyer Dock). The Teweles & Brandeis elevator is visible in the background. In fact the Lyons Bros. elevator is also shown behind and to right of the Teweles & Brandeis elevator. Estimated circa 1950s.

- added by Nancy Aten from information received from a local source

"Agriculture built this city" (George Evenson)

Community members have met twice and will continue to meet, to discuss the historic value of the Teweles & Brandeis Granary on the westside waterfront and how to best protect it and share its stories. See a wealth of information about our historic granary.

A Vision for the Granary
(draft--1/20/16)

The mission of the (not yet formed) Historic Granary Collective is to explore and discuss the most appropriate way to honor, protect, preserve and sustain the historic Teweles and Brandeis Granary on Sturgeon Bay’s westside waterfront. As the last remaining waterfront icon to our agrarian past, the Granary embodies the struggles and ingenuity of Door County’s early settlers and represents an important chapter in our history. The Historic Granary Collective will also assess the best ways to communicate and celebrate the legacy and stories of the Granary and the people who relied upon it.

We think you will enjoy reading the stories of the granary, and please let us know if you would like to be involved.

Nancy Aten

 

Humble Icon of Agricultural History seen as Center of Granary District

PRESS RELEASE

Sturgeon Bay -  In response to the City of Sturgeon Bay’s RFP (Request for Proposals), a proposal has been submitted for development on the West Waterfront that envisions a public and private partnership to repurpose the Teweles and Brandeis Granary making it once more an economic and iconic center of Sturgeon Bay. Under the proposal, the repurposed Granary would be a magnet for vibrant community activity (entrepreneurial and recreational) and create a new “Granary District” or “Granary Neighborhood” in Sturgeon Bay’s west side.  

In exploring possible uses for the Granary, the project supporters recognized the need for information from professional and respected architects, developers, artists and builders. Is it feasible to repurpose a 1901 structure built for a specific use? “To answer this question, we began with the belief that sound input from professionals in the field would inform dialogue and might inspire ideas beyond those presented so far. With the help of investors, the project team hired The Kubala Washatko Architects (TKWA), an award-winning firm of Cedarburg, to provide the renderings and Middleton Consulting and Contracting (MCC) to provide cost estimates” said Laurel Hauser, Project Principal.

The other project principal, Dan Collins, offered that “Built elements can positively affect the fabric of a community for generations to come. This proposal tries to offer a contemplative mode of building that respects Sturgeon Bay’s unique history, the laws of the State regarding public trust benefit, and the desires of the Sturgeon Bay community.”

The proposal offers a two-stepped vision, the first step activates the Granary by stabilizing the building, removing all the walls on the ground floor leaving a small “forest” of posts creating public space for picnics, weddings or gathering all with views to the water and the tug boats.  The second step activates the upper portions of the Granary making three floors with small “wood walled” office space made from the grain bins which would be available to incubate artists, non-profits or technology ventures.  The top floor and Granary head house may offer meeting space with a view.  

“Think of an iconic destination in a city or town, it had a strong theme or icon to anchor and identify the neighborhood. Someday you will say, “meet me at the Granary” and it will be this neighborhood between the bridges” said Collins.

A copy of the proposal can be found on the www.centerlineforum.org/ideas website.  The principals have indicated that collaborators are welcome.   

Media contact:
Laurel Duffin Hauser
lduffinhauser@gmail.com
Project Principal

 

Image: The Kubala Washatko Architects for Hauser/Collins

Granary Taking Giant Step Toward Historic Preservation

The application process for listing the Granary on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is taking another giant step forward. Professional Nomination Consultant Tim Heggland has been hired to complete a nomination for submittal to the Division of Historic Preservation. The overall process can take about a year and application does not mean the outcome will be a successful listing on the NRHP; however, Tim has a great track record.

Tim has been active in historic preservation as both a private consultant and as a preservation planner since 1979. During this period he prepared 150+ successful NRHP nominations and 54+ successful Determinations of Eligibility (DOE) throughout Wisconsin. From 1980-1984 and again from 1993-1995, he was also employed as the Assistant Preservation Planner for the City of Madison, Wisconsin and served as the Acting Planner for the City during 1990.

See centerlineforum.org/ideas for the history of the granary.

- Dan Collins

Key Components of Eau Claire's Success: A Report on Center Line Community Forum's April 24 Tour of Eau Claire's Phoenix Park and Downtown Redevelopment

Sturgeon Bay’s newly-formed Center Line Community Forum sponsored a trip last week to tour Eau Claire, WI’s award-winning Phoenix Park and downtown waterfront redevelopment. Center Line’s mission is to strengthen community, encourage civic engagement and explore ways in which smart growth has been successfully implemented in other communities.

A group of eleven interested citizens was greeted by Eau Claire’s City Council President, Kerry Kincaid, and spent three hours touring Phoenix Park and hearing presentations by Eau Claire officials including the Redevelopment Authority Chair, Economic Development Director, City Attorney and Public Works and Parks and Recreation Director. In addition to City representatives, the group heard from developers and staff of companies that have invested heavily in downtown Eau Claire. Finally, the group met the director of the Farmers Market Association, a citizen group working in partnership with the City.

In recent years, the City of Eau Claire has turned a brownfield site (once home to the Phoenix Steel Company and an Xcel Energy gas plant) into the cornerstone of a vibrant, revitalized downtown that includes the world headquarters of Royal Credit Union, JAMF Software, Riverview Terrace Apartments, Phoenix Park and Farmers Market. Eau Claire recently received the prestigious National Civic League’s All-American City Award, among others, not only for the 50 million dollar valuation they’ve injected into their downtown economy but for the process they used to do it.

The following points summarize key components of Eau Claire’s success.

Community Input: Over the space of 1 – 2 years, Eau Claire held 57 meetings to solicit community input and ensure that proposed changes met with public approval and were in line with the city’s strategic plan and vision. According to City Council President Kerry Kincaid, “It was not without difficulty. It took patience on everyone’s part, but we can now say that we made the right decisions.” She adds, “Our redevelopment is saturated with public input and support.”

Citizen Advocates: A Farmers Market and Labyrinth were on the community’s wish list. The city worked with “citizen advocates” who raised substantial funds to make each happen. The Farmers Market draws up to 7,000 visitors a week to the downtown.

Natural Resources: According to Kincaid, the Eau Claire community cares strongly about its river. “You need to ask yourselves what relationship you want to have with your most important natural resource? That’s where we started. People value the water, and we are working to give the public as much visible and physical access to it as possible.” Eau Claire’s many city parks are connected by over 29 miles of hiking and biking trails, second only in the state to Madison. Eau Claire is actively engaged in extending its already significant public space.

Private/Public Partnership: In reference to the point above, Royal Credit Union (RCU) first intended to build its world headquarters directly on the river. After hearing from the community, they voluntarily moved just off the river, allowing space for Phoenix Park. RCU was founded by a “home town boy,” Charlie Grossklaus, who is emotionally invested in Eau Claire’s success and wanted to do what was best for the community. According to RCU’s Randy Beck, “When we found out people wanted a park, we figured out a way to make that happen. A thriving community is good for business.” RCU and next door neighbor, JAMF Software, now overlook an attractive green space filled with people. Bikers and walkers are visible on the repurposed railway bridge that spans the Chippewa River and JAMF Software has even installed an air pump that’s available to the tubers who float past their office. Eau Claire calls JAMF a “home run” for the city because it is nonpolluting, high growth and pays high wages. JAMF brings energy to the downtown with a young work force that embodies “new urbanism.” JAMF is a dog-friendly office and many of the employees walk or bike to work.

Downtown Residents: Riverview Terrace Apartments built three new structures across from Phoenix Park. The 111 apartment units enjoy a near 100% occupancy rate. (At the time of our meeting, only 2 were vacant.) When asked what part the park and water view played in their decision to invest, developer Stuart Shaefer said, “It was all about the park. People want to live near the park.”

TIF Districts: Phoenix Park was funded, in part, by tax incremental financing (TIF). Eau Claire has had ten tax incremental districts (TIDs) and has successfully completed five. Steve Nick, City Attorney, stressed the need to make sure development is consistent with city goals, to do background checks on developers and, if possible, to get developers’ lenders to the table. He and other city officials emphasized the need for a good fit and asked “Who are you going to sell your valuable land to?”

By all accounts, Eau Claire’s hard work has paid off. On the day of Center Line’s visit, school children laughed and chased each other over the boulders that line the river’s shoreline. Walkers and bikers were out en masse enjoying the views at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers. Shiny, attractive-side and street-level retail establishments serviced the people who live and work in the area.

For all their success, Nick acknowledges that there have been some detractors. “There will always be some. It means you’re making things happen. When nothing was happening, no one was protesting the brownfield. But, if you’re doing what the community wants, the detractors will be a minority. There will be many more supporters.” His thoughts echoed those of Council President Kincaid: “Encourage civic engagement, let the natural beauty of the area speak to you and be patient with each other.”

Center Line thanks the Janning Family, Bob Papke, Jeremy Popelka and Stephanie Trenchard and Virge Temme for sponsoring the Eau Claire Tour.
 

- Laurel Hauser

A Tour of the City of Eau Claire's Phoenix Park

Center Line Community Forum presents…
A Tour of the City of Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park
Friday, April 24, 2015 (Please register by Friday, April 17th - details here)

Fellow Wisconsin community Eau Claire is receiving national attention for the design and process used in redeveloping its waterfront and downtown. Eau Claire was recently awarded the National Civic League’s All-America City Award for “innovation, inclusiveness, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.” It was also awarded a General Design Award of Excellence from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and a Park Design Award of Excellence from the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association.

Eau Claire’s redevelopment project centers around Phoenix Park and the North Barstow/Phoenix Park Neighborhood. Phoenix Park is a 6-acre public park and former brownfield site that sits at the confluence of Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers. It offers a walking labyrinth, a natural amphitheater, and a year-round farmer's market. The park is owned and operated by the City of Eau Claire.

The Phoenix Park Neighborhood is a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly area with buildings designed to echo downtown Eau Claire’s architecture. Retail shops occupy the main buildings’ ground floors and offices and loft apartments occupy the floors above. Community forums and resident input were key factors in Eau Claire’s process. Before the first residential buildings were open, there was a waiting list of 70.

Phoenix Park sits on the site vacated by the Phoenix Steel Company. The site was vacated in 1971 and leased for warehousing and storage. In 1981, the city of Eau Claire took ownership of the tax-delinquent site. The Wisconsin DNR worked jointly with the city to remove soil contamination from almost a century of industrial operations. Phoenix Park and other related projects have been funded through a mix of federal funding, community development funds, private contributions, non-profit contributions and Tax Incremental Financing.

Center Line Community Forum, a group committed to strengthening community, encouraging civic engagement and formulating vision for smart growth, is offering a trip to Eau Claire on Friday, April 24. Participants will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of Eau Claire’s Economic Development Director Mike Schatz. Mr. Schatz, who has been with the City of Eau Claire for over 30 years, also serves as the Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority and the Executive Director of the non-profit group, Downtown Eau Claire. He will share their project’s successes and lessons learned along the way. In addition to the presentation by Mr. Schatz, participants will tour Phoenix Park and meet with representatives of the year-round farmer’s market.   

Space is limited. Please register by Friday, April 17.  For details, including how to register, see our Tour Details.

Anyone interested in Sturgeon Bay’s future and wishing to better educate themselves on redevelopment issues is encouraged to attend!

- Laurel Hauser

The Idea of a Community Forum

Center Line Community Forum is a new initiative designed to offer the Sturgeon Bay and greater Door County community access to local, regional and national speakers on topics related to strengthening community, encouraging civic engagement and formulating a vision for smart growth. Speakers will share creative ideas that have been successfully implemented in other locales. According to Charolette Baierl, co-chair of Center Line, “Our goal is to celebrate our unique identity and explore ways we can proactively embrace the opportunities and challenges of the future. It is meant to spark ideas and generate discussion.” Co-chair, Kelly Avenson, agrees. “Amidst the turmoil over recent action on our westside waterfront, we’ve seen a number of positive things occur. We want the positive momentum to continue.”

Center Line’s first offering is a bus trip to visit Eau Claire’s award-winning Phoenix Park downtown redevelopment effort and meet with Economic Development Director Mike Schatz on Friday, April 24. Future events being planned address the topics of Young Entrepreneurs and Repurposing of Historic Structures among others.

Center Line is offered in partnership with the Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC). Bill Chaudoir, Executive Director of DCEDC, applauds the group’s mission. “We have a great community here, but we should all strive to make it even better.  I look forward to learning more from some of the best.”

Artists Jeremy Popelka and Stephanie Trenchard are business owners in downtown Sturgeon Bay and helped formulate Center Line Community Forum’s name and logo. Popelka explains, “Center line is a nautical term, which is fitting for Door County. It’s the imaginary line that runs down the middle of a ship and it’s the most stable point. It’s where the most valuable cargo would be stored. If you lean too far away from that center line, you put the ship at risk.” Popelka designed a logo that’s suggestive of the east and west downtown Sturgeon Bay shorelines connected by two bridges. “We’ve got really powerful images to work with here in Sturgeon Bay.”

Center Line is co-chaired by Kelly Avenson, Charolette Baierl and Laurel Hauser. Steering Committee members include Nancy Aten, Bret Bicoy, Laurel Brooks, Rob Burke, Bill Chaudoir, Dan Collins, Heidi Hodges, Caitlin Oleson, Jeremy Popelka, Shirley Senarighi, Virge Temme and Stephanie Trenchard. Tax-deductible contributions to Center Line’s Speakers Fund may be sent to Center Line, c/o DCEDC, 185 E. Walnut St, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.

- Laurel Hauser