Sheboygan’s Business District – Sheboygan Squared – has launched new beautification and streetscaping efforts throughout the District, making Downtown Sheboygan bright and inviting while providing district identification. Included in the enhancements are an abundance of flowers in the new floral planters. These plantings will be done by the members of the Town and Country Garden Club. The mid-block light post planters have also been refreshed with flowers. These additions build on the changes that were started last year. Those changes include the addition of flower boxes in front of stores, planters placed in pedestrian alley ways, and new alley light strings to brighten these walkways in the evening. The resulting bursts of color are beautiful to see and welcoming to residents and visitors alike.
The main street is not only changing visually, but speakers are being introduced play classical music. Last year these were introduced in the Library Mall and new installations are being made on 8th Street with the assistance of businesses. The atmosphere will be energized by the extension of the wireless music system along 8th Street. Relax at the Library Fountain on the new umbrella picnic tables while listening to the melodies of Mozart and Brahms.
As we get ready to welcome up to 700 new residents to the area, a coordinated effort to attract new retailers and merchants is also underway. The Encore Apartments at the former Boston Store site and the Portscape Apartments on South Pier are nearing completion and new residents will soon be moving in to live in these innovative developments. The High Pointe Apartments at the St. Cyril site on 8th Street are due to break ground the last week of June. This development will add another 91 units to those already under construction. The Founder’s Club continues renovation of the former Sheboygan Retirement Home to house interns and hospitality staff. Sheboygan County is proceeding with the sale of land on Pennsylvania Avenue for a future office/residential project.
Moving throughout the area is easy with the public transportation enhancements that have been recently introduced. Shoreline Metro has dedicated a trolley route to Sheboygan’s downtown and waterfront areas. This route runs on a 30-minute loop from Memorial Day through Labor Day and only costs $1 per person per day.
Downtown Sheboygan is home to some of the highest quality cultural amenities in the area. The most notable being the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. They boast 12 art galleries in 99,000 square feet of space and is one of the few museums in the world to focus on collecting and preserving art-environments.
In Sheboygan Squared you can take in outstanding live entertainment, one-of-a-kind art, and dine at a variety of local restaurants, including some of the most acclaimed in the state. Be sure to catch a concert at our fully restored theater, the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts and check out the Levitt AMP concerts and local food trucks as they return to JMKAC on Thursdays starting June 22. The Sheboygan Pops Band performs every other Wednesday at the Fountain Park Bandshell starting on Wednesday, June 14.
Sheboygan’s Downtown, Harbor Centre, and Sheboygan Squared, are changing for the better. But don’t just take my word for it, come on down and see for yourself!