As the area's marketplace has changed, so has the appeal or the most viable use for downtown Oconomowoc. Because there are more places in the area to buy your groceries and do everyday shopping, Oconomowoc's downtown area should be viewed as a hybrid, niche shopping area said Hitchcock Design Consultants during Wednesday night's informative meeting on plans for Fowler Lake's reviatalization.

Hitchcock Design Group along with the advisory committee presented its latest conclusions and general consensus at City Hall on what is the best use for the area that consultants estimate can support about 150,000 square feet of retail space.

Presenters said that Oconomowoc has an advantage by having Fowler Lake that neighboring downtowns do not. To make the best use of the area, Hitchcock unveiled the preferred strategy design at the end of last month.

Two of the biggest developments of the redesign are the suggested redevelopment of the group of buildings along North Main Street into a four- to five-story mixed residential and retail space that would include enclosed parking as well. The designers know this idea will invite criticism because of the proposed building height but they think it would dramatically improve the now mostly empty building space and make it a economic and aesthetic improvement.

Another change in the preferred strategy is the removal of the boat launch on Fowler Lake. The advisory committee and designers know that the relocation of the boat ramp will be a challenge but feel that where it is located now is not the best spot for it. They have not suggested an alternative location yet.  

The new design also increases parking, creates a direct connection from one end of the waterfront to another with a driving lane and enhances and increases the size of the village green for more use and a better view of the lakefront from Main and Wisconsin streets.

For the most part, the preferred strategy was well-received by meeting attendees. Main concerns were voiced on the removal of the boat launch and more discussion likely will be needed about the potential for a four- to five-story building.

Mayor Maury Sullivan said that the reconstruction of the waterfront should be kept as economically viable as possible. "You can have the best playground possible out there but businesses may not be able to survive," said the mayor of the need to compromise over the use of space for recreation and business interests. "As we lift ourselves up as a community, compromises must be made," the mayor said. 

The mayor asked attendees to share this information and invite continued discussion and comment on this subject and to attend future meetings. To see the preferred design, visit, http://www.hitchcockdesigngroup.com/projectwebpages/oconomowoc/oconomowoc_20090225_preferredstrategy.pdf

Three meetings are scheduled tonight for Oconomowoc residents. A Neighborhood Workshop Session will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Silver Lake Intermediate School, 555 Oconomowoc Parkway. The purpose of the meeting is to get direct input about housing, neighborhood character and future land use in the River West Neighborhood. It is the third in a series of workshops for the River West planning effort of the neighborhood located southwest of the city.

The city has also scheduled two informational meetings for residents that reside along streets scheduled for work this year. The meetings will take place in Room 3 at City Hall tonight. The first meeting starts at 4:30 with a presentation at 5 p.m. for the Chaffee Road, Capital and Industrial Drive area. The second meeting begins at 6:30 with a presentation at 7 p.m. for South, Worthington and Blain streets.