The City of Racine unveiled plans for a $65 million mixed use redevelopment of its urban riverfront, a formerly industrial area on Water Street that is now being positioned as “Machinery Row.” Mayor John Dickert called this 20-acre project the largest redevelopment project in Racine’s history. Working with the City, Vandewalle & Associates authored the award-winning plan that will involve environmental remediation, renovate and adaptively reuse former industrial buildings, manage stormwater while improving water quality, and add a dynamic riverfront promenade with event space. Vandewalle & Associates also recruited the developer, Iowa-based Financial District Properties, for the project. When completed, Machinery Row is expected to have a dynamic mix of uses including a grocery store, loft apartments, retail space, a restaurant, daycare, office, and commercial space. Construction is expected to begin in six months, with completion in winter or spring of 2016–although the developer is already pre-leasing commercial space and seeking anchor tenants. Machinery Row is part of a much larger RootWorks development plan for the City.
