DOWNTOWN FOND DU LAC

DOWNTOWN
FOND DU LAC
The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership
The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership (DFP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people,
activity, business and a thriving civic life back to the heart of Fond du Lac. Through strategic marketing and
management of downtown’s resources, the DFP is working to re-establish downtown as a diverse, prosperous
district that is the social, commercial and cultural heart of the community.
The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership was created in January 2000, and was accepted into the Wisconsin
Main Street Program in 2004. The DFP serves 219 properties, with 325 businesses. A summary of some of the
services provided by the DFP include:
Business Support Network
Business Marketing Assistance
♦Over 100 volunteers continuously working to
improve the downtown and support businesses
♦Special event and retail event coordination which
brings thousands of potential new customers to
the downtown district annually
♦ Free façade design and business assistance
provided by Wisconsin Main Street
♦Networking events providing a communication link
to your business:
♦Business visits to help retain businesses and
provide a support network to assist with property
ownership issues, and request necessary public
improvements
Economic Development
♦Landlord → tenant and seller → buyer referral
network
♦Analysis and reporting of the downtown market
and economy
♦Identify, target and recruit businesses that are in
demand
♦Actively work to fill vacancies
♦Vacancy listings provided to realtors and posted
on www.downtownfonddulac.com
♦Support the ongoing development of niches and
market accordingly
♦Financial resources available to purchase
aesthetic items including planters, trash cans and
banners
•Fondue Fest is held the Saturday after labor
day draws 20,000 to downtown
•Wednesday and Saturday Farmer’s Market
brings 25,000 to downtown May through
October
•Summer Sidewalk Sale attracts 4,000 to
downtown
♦Free business listing on www.downtownFDL.
com where businesses have the ability to post
pictures, event listings, meeting space, ATM and
WIFI locations, coupons, menus, and a description
of services. The Downtown Fond du Lac website
is an all-inclusive website of everything that is
happening downtown.
Fond du Lac Statistics:
2008 Population:
55,363 - 5 mile radius
422,466 - 30 mile radius
2008 Households:
22,20 - 5 mile radius
166,449 - 30 mile radius
2008 Median Household Income:
$56,601 - 5 mile radius
$59,089 - 30 mile radius
2008 Per Capita Income:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
$27,585 - 30 mile radius
Median Age:
38 - 5 mile radius
38 - 30 mile radius
2008 Ethnicity:
White - 95%
Black - 2%
Asian - 1%
Hispanic - 2%
Downtown District Statistics:
Approximately 2,600 Full Time
Employees
325 Businesses
219 Buildings
Average rent per square foot:
T:(920) 921-9500
F:(920) 921-9559
E:amyh@fdlac.com
Downtown Fond du Lac’s Historic Business Improvement District consists of
more than 300 businesses in a 48-block area in the heart of Fond du Lac (city
population, 43,270; county population, 101,174).
At the Crossroads of East Central Wisconsin
Downtown Fond du Lac is within an hour from all major cities of Wisconsin
– Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Appleton – and even closer to the
commercial centers of Oshkosh, Sheboygan and West Bend. There are 2.5
million people within 60 miles creating an enormous opportunity for destination
businesses. Many thriving companies headquarter in Fond du Lac in part
because of the easy access to resources and customers in these important
neighboring cities.
Downtown Fond du Lac is accessible from nearly every major highway in
Wisconsin – Highway 45, Highway 41, Highway 151 and Highway 23.
Great Properties are Available for Sale or Lease
The variety of properties for sale or lease in the downtown district offer
opportunities for everyone from the smallest entrepreneur to large operations.
Main Street storefronts are available, as well as ideally situated close-in
properties with ample on-site parking. A full listing of district vacancies can be
viewed at www.downtownFDL.com.
Office: $9
Traffic Counts:
Main & Johnson - 27,500 cars per day
207 North Main Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
www.downtownFDL.com
Downtown Fond du Lac, WI is poised for dynamic growth over the next three
years. Major investment by the public and private sector are getting the
attention of commercial and residential developers. Now is the time for you to
consider downtown Fond du Lac as the place to expand your business.
$27,108 - 5 mile radius
Retail: $12
Amy Hansen
Welcome to Downtown Fond du Lac
Main & Merrill - 15,200 cars per day
Rated No. 1 Safest Metro Area in
Morgan Quitno Annual Ranking 2006
Parking
Two large public ramps offer permit and daily/hourly parking, joining free Main
Street parking and metered stalls to add up to more than 3,000 public parking
spaces.
Historic & Beautiful
The downtown contains two districts on the national register of historic
places. The area is a compact commercial district composed of late
19th Century and early 20th Century masonry multi-storied structures.
Beautification has become a visible trend. Facades sparkle with new
paint, and owners are investing in significant restorations. Since 2001,
the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership has awarded $90,000 in façade
grants to property owners. These funds contributed to an overall private
investment of $595,000 in façade renovation projects. The façade grant
program was established to support and encourage downtown renovation
and historic preservation.
The Low Cost of Doing
Business in Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac’s downtown is home to some terrific real estate
opportunities. Taxes are low, and lease and rental rates are extremely
competitive. There are reasonable rates on real estate which translates
into lower property taxes for you.
Recent Investments
♦State Farm Insurance & Red Brick Inn - Interior and exterior
renovation
The Commercial Center of the City
♦Six major banking institutions - Chase, Fox Valley Savings Bank,
Hometown Bank, Marine Credit Union, National Exchange Bank and
Trust, and US Bank
♦Two major public corporations - MAG Giddings & Lewis, Nielsen
Company
♦The Coliseum Bar & Grill Expansion - Interior renovation
♦Pockets Bar & Grill Expansion - Interior and exterior renovation
♦JR’s Sports Bar & Grill - Interior and exterior renovation
♦Walgreen’s and adjacent strip mall - New construction
♦Attitude Sports/Anytime Fitness - New Construction
♦Hometown Bank - Adaptive reuse project
♦Blend of national corporations, franchises, partnerships and sole
proprietorships
♦County and city government headquarters as well as the Fond du Lac
Public Library and the City of Fond du Lac Post Office
♦Major media outlets - The Reporter, a daily Gannett newspaper and
Radio Plus / Sunny 97.7 FM
♦The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Conference Center
Projects Currently Under Development
♦YMCA - New Construction to be completed in 2010
♦Taco Johns and adjacent retail strip mall - New Construction partially
completed
♦St Peter’s Church and School conversion into senior apartments Adaptive reuse project to be completed in Fall 2009
The Cultural Center of the City
♦Windhover Center for the Arts - Site of exhibits, workshops, foreign
film series, and performances in music, drama and dance. Home of
the Children’s Chorale and the Fond du Lac Children’s Museum
♦Family centered activities at the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and
Fond du Lac Public Library
♦Veterans Park and War Memorial
♦Numerous restaurants and nightclubs
♦Regional niche markets - bridal, resale, design, sporting goods,
personal care
♦Main Exchange Expansion - Interior and Exterior renovation to be
completed in 2009
♦Retlaw Theatre and Entertainment Complex - Interior and Exterior
renovation