Comments on Oconomowoc Listens: Development of Oconomowoc CITY BEACH

I feel that is very important for the city to acqu...

2008-06-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

I feel that is very important for the city to acquire the three properties east of the city beach for expansion of the beach and other civic development. The downtown lakefront parks are essential to the growth and health of our downtown.

I do not think that the boat launch should be moved west. This would put it into the channel area and eliminate boat slips. We need the space where the old building stands for parking; including trailer parking and beach parking. I think the beach would be used more if more parking was available. The boat rentals should be expanded and promoted. I think that a picnic area on the island with a rowboat shuttle would be great fun!

The beach should be lengthened so that there is room for lessons, diving, a kiddy pool and an area with slides and features. A Picnic area further to the east towards the downtown would be nice. Landscaping at the park also needs improvement.

The summer events around the lakes have been a unifying influence on the city and promotes a healthy family friendly environment. However I do think the fourth of July fireworks were better at Roosevelt Park, no trees!

If property can be acquired on this block it would be a great location for a fine arts center, to enhance the cultural atmosphere of the city. I imagine a building styled like Draper hall with columns across the front and banners advertising the current exhibits and events.

A recreation building across the street would be attractive and convenient. I suggest that it match the historical design established by the city hall that was adapted to the library. The color and style of the brickwork could be used on all the civic buildings in town, to identify them and be consistent.

A small building on the old site to handle "wet" traffic would be good for boat rentals, restrooms, and a warming house in the winter. I will never forget the sound of skates on the wood floor and the feel of the wood heated warming house on Fowler Lake when I was a kid.

The lakefront access should be expanded and developed wherever possible in Oconomowoc's downtown area. Condos should be outlawed on the downtown lakefront. Our "population density" exists within our growing city limits and these families need to be attracted downtown to make our community cohesive and vibrant.

I'd be surprised if the DNR let you do anything at...

2008-04-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

I'd be surprised if the DNR let you do anything at all with your beach, given the grief they're creating at Silver Lake...

-jjg
the Daily Scoff

It's ironic reading the discussion on how the beac...

2008-03-25T18:17:00.000-07:00

It's ironic reading the discussion on how the beach is vital to downtown, yet I RARELY see anyone there unless it's an event of some type. If that's the intent, good, but let's not kid ourselves that the beach is a prized asset and expanding it will be worthwhile.

Would I favor the condo? Maybe, but only if it suits the context. If we're talking about Oconomowoc in the distant future where downtown is packed and the beach is the place to be, then that argument holds water, so to speak. Oconomowoc's beach pales in comparison to Pewaukee's in terms of usability. If we only enlarge it, it does nothing to help the real issue.

I could not agree more. Not only would a condo enc...

2008-03-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

I could not agree more. Not only would a condo encroach on the natural resources of our town, it would not asthetically fit in with the historic beauty of the downtown area. Oconomowoc is nothing without it's lakes and along with that comes it's lake access. Not only is the city growing at an unprecedented rate, we are builing a large regional mall with the specific intent of bring people to our town. And not just to the mall but to all of downtown -and the beach is another great opportunity to get them there. We want people to stay a while, enjoy the town. People could come to the beach to swim, walk a couple blocks to this great gelato place they heard about and along the way shop in the lovely stores that they pass. It would nothing less than tragic for the "City of Lakes" to have a beach that is too small, too crowded to comfortably enjoy. In fact, it would be a joke.

It is imperative that Oconomowoc acquires the prop...

2008-03-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

It is imperative that Oconomowoc acquires the properties east of city beach. Oconomowoc is only going to continue to grow and use of the beach will continue to increase. The beach is already too small and crowded. Did you attend last year’s fireworks? How does adding a 14 (or so) unit condo to this property benefit the downtown businesses? It will not. It only benefits the developer. Having a spacious beach will help draw people to Oconomowoc. Making the downtown more accessible from beach (such as a bike/walking trail along the lake front) will help draw these people to the downtown businesses.

Some will argue for the taxes that the condos will bring to the city’s coffers. Will this money save downtown? How do increased tax revenues draw more people to the downtown businesses?

We are very lucky to have the lakes and should take full advantage of them with projects that benefit everyone, not just a few looking for a quick buck.