HISTORIC DOWNTOWN RIPON ON YOUTUBE

THIS IS VERY COOL. FROM THE RIPON MAINSTREET PROGRAM:

Below are two links to Downtown Ripon’s YouTube site. They feature vintage film footage taken in 1938 and 1939. Ripon Main Street, Inc., Video Age Productions, and the Ripon Historical Society are working cooperatively to convert several film reels from 1939 to digital format. Additional clips will be added to YouTube over the coming months that feature the Ripon Fire Department, Ripon College, Grandview Hotel, Speed Queen (Alliance Laundry), and numerous other businesses and service clubs. Another reel to be converted in the future features footage taken during the Republican Party’s 100th anniversary celebration from 1954.

On behalf of Ripon Main Street, I would like to thank local resident Gladys Hritsko who donated the use of her film collection that features numerous street scenes from 1938. Also, local videographer Andy Gallun is donating his time to set up the Main Street office computer to handle this type of production.

Let me know what you think of the footage. Higher quality material will eventually be hosted on the downtown web site.

Take care,

Craig


Downtown Ripon Film Footage (1938):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarJx0F5zIg

Vieth Co. (Diedrich Jewelers) Ripon, Wisconsin (1939):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y8riSeZPOg

COME OUT FOR SEPTEMBERFEST

Let's Twist Again! - Join us at Septemberfest this Saturday, Sept. 20, for our second attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people doing the twist.

Friday Night Kick-off
Chuck Wagon buffet at Royal Ridges 5 - 9 pm

Saturday in Downtown Ripon
ATTEMPT TO BREAK THE WORLD RECORD FOR TWISTING AT 3:00 PM
The Britins (Beatles Tribute Band) 1:30 - 4:30 pm will rock us into the record books at 3:00

Mecan River Ramblers live bluegrass music 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Dog Walk Parade, Brat Fry, Contests 9:15 - noon
Local Polka Legend Tuba Dan & Band 10 am - noon
Brats, burgers, Bier Garten, chili, corn roast,
Kettle Korn and other goodies
Mike Callen & Well Strung noon - 2:30 pm
Watson Street Custom Car Show
Sponsored by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and Chamber members
Call the Chamber at 748-6764 with any questions

RIPON COLLEGE ROAD CLOSURES ON TRACK

Here is an update on the closure of the streets through the Ripon College campus:

Removal of roads to happen this semester - Elizabeth KundeEditor-in-Chief

While many students expected to return to campus with Seward Street and Elm Street already removed, the start date for their demolition is still indefinite.Dozens of logistical revisions to the project's blueprint and community bureaucracy are the cause of the delays.College and community officials have not lost enthusiasm for the plan, though.Professor Bob Young, project director for campus improvements, says the current goal is to begin near the middle of September once the paperwork is complete and he has received the plan from the civil engineer.President David Joyce, who is a little more hesitant, says he is committed to executing the project by the end of the semester.Despite current delays, the total demolition to be completed this fall should only take about a month to complete, barring any rain or snow."We're at the mercy of the weather," says Young. "If it rains, [the project] will go more slowly and if it doesn't, it will go more quickly."In addition to slowing down the project, precipitation would undoubteldy create messes throughout campus. However, pedestrian routes will be clearly marked to streamline traffic and keep students out of the mud."[I ask that students] think about safety and stick to those pedestrian routes," says Young.Students who are confused by the lack of construction must realize that the road to the project's execution has been filled with many obstacles and detours.Young says he attended the Plan Commission meetings and City Council meetings.In addition, a public hearing was held and approval was needed from the police department, fire department and city engineer."We finished the legwork on this project about as efficiently as you could expect," says Young.In addition to the political red tape, the college was met with resistance in the form of a handful of community members who are frustrated by change."There are a lot of folks who feel that we have an agenda for the city, but we don't," says Joyce.

LINK TO THE STORY - HERE

OBSERVATIONS ON THE LATEST PLAN COMMISSION MEETING

Public hearing – nursery/garden supply store – Jahns Lawn & Landscaping
I believe a fair compromise with Jahns Lawn and Landscaping, and the neighborhood, has been reached. A new conditional use permit, which more accurately reflects what Jahns' is doing, was passed, along with some restrictions. Jahns can only do composting (outside of an approved area) in May and September-October, when there is a considerable amount of leaf and branch cleanup. They also must install a concrete barrier and planting to shield their business from the neighborhood by September 2010. They also have to install some tiling for drainage, which Jahns has already agreed to.
Public hearing – proposed creation of Tax Incremental Financing District #8
This creates a new downtown TIF, which essentially overlaps the current TID (#1), which will close in the next 2-3 years (see below). The main driver for the new district is Boca Grande, the Milwaukee-based investment company which has purchased over twenty downtown properties. It is important to remember that the plan is only the first step in the TIF. Each individual project and expenditure will be judged on its own merits as the plan progresses. Boca Grande is proposing a number of projects, including but not limited to:
* An $8.5 million hotel and spa on the current Mapes Hotel site, merged with the American House (which Boca Grande has tentatively purchased)
* A $4-5 million Republican Museum on the site of the current Republican House and Little White Schoolhouse. This could be a key step in more fully utilizing the landmark.
* A $4.5 million office building to be constructed at a later date on an undisclosed site.
There are other projects for the downtown (burying overhead power lines, streetscaping, a revolving loan fund and facade grant program) that will be part of the TIF. It is NOT all for Boca Grande, despite what some people will think. PLEASE email me with questions and concerns, before believing some of the rumors floating around. There will be opponents to the plan, and we will work with them to understand their concerns. I have not been worried at all about the level of involvement and information Boca Grande has shown and provided in this process. The proposed plan goes to the City Council for their approval on September 29th.
Public hearing – proposed amendment of project plan for Tax Incremental Financing District #5
This will allow TID #5 (Alliance Laundry) to share its revenue with the downtown TIF (#1) in order to close it earlier and place it on the tax rolls, possibly reducing everyone's mill rate at that time.
Review of preliminary Certified Survey Map draft – Jeff and Kathy Fischer
The Commission asked that Fischer's bring back a CSM which shows the road may be built in the future, without dedicating it to the city at this time.
Certified Survey Map – City of Ripon (land on Stanton Street in industrial park)
This allows for the sale of roughly nine acres to Advanced Paper Enterprises, which is currently building a new facility in the old Industrial Park (you can't miss all the dirt being moved). They are on an aggressive timetable, which can be read about here - http://www.1888pressrelease.com/advance-paper-enterprises-to-break-ground-soon-pr-71219.html

Sandmar Village Action Plan

I received an action plan today as we try to resolve the water issues in the Sandmar Village development. I will admit I was looking for more, specifically a timetable, but the engineers have indicated that is coming shortly. Stay tuned:

Sandmar Village Action Plan
Site Design Review and Revision
1 - Evaluate stormwater plan and design by Excel Engineering
Pre-development runoff conditions - Proposed development plans - As-built infrastructure to date
2 - Evaluate options for design revisions
Incorporate infiltration in upland areas to reduce downstream runoff - Consider detention upstream of existing pond - Evaluate configuration of existing pond to increase storage (Increased footprint for more storage and separation of permanent pool from groundwater/springs) - Increase downstream conveyance (Culvert capacity under railroad and downstream channel conveyance through adjacent property, which includes 1) arrange for survey to determine existing capacity 2) work with property owners to secure drainage easement, and 3) design such that downstream culverts are not overburdened with increased flow
3 - Incorporate selected redesign options into engineering plans for site
4 - Work with City Plan Commission and local residents
5 - Seek approvals from WDNR and Army Corps of Engineers

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING - 9-11 AGENDA

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 - COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
7:00 p.m.
AGENDA
* Call to order/roll call
* Approve meeting minutes – August 18th & August 20th
Action items
* Public hearing – nursery/garden supply store – Jahns Lawn & Landscaping
* Public hearing – proposed creation of Tax Incremental Financing District #8 within the City of Ripon, Wisconsin, its boundaries, and the project plan (see public hearing notice that was published on August 28, 2008 and September 4, 2008)
* Public hearing – proposed amendment of project plan for Tax Incremental Financing District #5 within the City of Ripon, Wisconsin (see public hearing notice that was published on August 28, 2008 and September 4, 2008)
* Review/discuss proposed project plans
* Resolution – proposed creation of Tax Incremental District #8, and approval of project plan (see the resolution "A resolution designating the proposed boundaries and approving a project plan for Tax Incremental District No. 8")
* Resolution – proposed project plan amendment for Tax Incremental District #5 and the approval of project plan amendment (see resolution "Approving a project plan amendment for Tax Incremental District No. 5")
* Review of preliminary Certified Survey Map draft – Jeff and Kathy Fischer
* Certified Survey Map – City of Ripon (land on Stanton Street in industrial park)
Project updates
Agenda items for future meetings
Adjourn