Construction on multi-use building to begin this summer
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation recently awarded the Village of Waterford $250,000 as part of the Community Development Investment Grant program.
The grant will go towards construction of what will become the Waterford Lofts, located at 506 E. Main Street.
“In 2018, nearly 200 Waterford residents and business owners provided feedback on the future of the village, and redevelopment of this intersection was a critical element,” said Don Houston, Waterford village president. “With financial assistance from the WEDC and technical assistance from RCEDC (the Racine County Economic Development Corporation), our community’s vision can be executed.”
The Waterford Lofts project is planned to include two buildings, each with street-level retail and office, and housing condo units on the two upper floors.
The CDI grant assists in financing the construction of the first building, which totals 28,200 square feet. The project is expected to attract new residents to Waterford and provide an opportunity for new businesses to open downtown, according to village officials.
“Housing is a key part of a thriving downtown,” WEDC Secretary and CEO Missy Hughes said. “WEDC is pleased to be able to support the Waterford Lofts project because we know that when people are able to live downtown, businesses of all sorts – shops, restaurants, gyms and more – grow up around that housing and create a more vibrant community.”
The Village of Waterford is partnering with Wisconsin Redevelopment and Selzer-Ornst to oversee the construction and development of the first Waterford Lofts building.
“Wisconsin Redevelopment is proud to partner with Wisconsin communities – like Waterford – to help guide major real estate projects,” said Todd Hutchison, Principal Partner at Wisconsin Redevelopment. “Our firm strongly believes in Waterford’s vision, and we are excited to play this major role in developing what will become a catalytic project for this community.”
The development will create a new property tax increment, which is valued at an estimated $4.3 million. The village has already secured an anchor tenant – Community State Bank – with an additional 2,793 square feet still available.
“It is incredibly rewarding to see community projects like these come to fruition,” said Laura Million, Deputy Director of RCEDC. “The Village of Waterford, its leaders, its business and its residents are ready for development, and with the help of Wisconsin Redevelopment and WEDC, it’s happening.”
Altogether, the site totals just below one acre. Construction is expected to start this summer with pre-sales of the 12 residential condo units already underway.
Construction of all retail, office and residential units is expected to be complete by the first half of 2023.
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