Hurley Continues to Make Progress in Their Massive Improvement Plan

HURLEY, WI - Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - Major street renovation continues throughout the City of Hurley. The street improvements will have a major impact on the City.

These improvements are the result of a lot of hard work. Back in March of 2005, Kelly Kline created a PowerPoint Presentation that highlighted Hurley's need to participate in Wisconsin's Forward Communities Comprehensive Funding Program. Kline's Proposed Pilot Project for Hurley presentation was modified by Will Andresen in June of 2007.

It's interesting to see what a well thought out plan Hurley created, and how well they stuck to the plan thus far.

Hurley's Famous Silver Street was beginning to look a little tattered. Improvements to the main street have greatly increased the appeal of the community.

Here is a brief overview of Hurley's plan...

In the past the Department of Commerce has required communities to apply for funding on an individual project basis. In this comprehensive approach, communities identify a variety of needs where the Department of Commerce can assist the whole community over a three to five year period.

A part of Iron County Strategic Planning in 2003

The first thing Hurley needed to do was to examine their Strengths, the Weaknesses, the Opportunities and their Threats to success.

Strengths

County owned land with hardwooods
Great two school systems
Great highway and forestry building
Newly remodeled Courthouse
Beautiful senior housing
Positive People
Industrial Park
Cary Road Park
Bordered by Lake Superior
Many inland lakes and rivers
Abundant snow for winter activities
Year round recreation
Harbor on Lake Superior
Strong religious community
Four seasons
The people
Safe
Cooperation between communities
County agencies cooperate
Close to three hospitals
Nearby airport
Three class A highways
Libraries
Tourism destination
Rich heritage
Active chambers, civic groups to sponsor events
High volume natural gas supply
Availability of retail space

Weaknesses

Short supply of housing
No shopping
Small town causes us to loose some business
Lack of meeting facilities
Lack of recreational parking
Dependence on weather
Regional high taxes
Undesirable businesses
Low wage scale
Shabby appearance
Perception that focus is on Hurley
Lack of new youthful leadership in business community (entrepreneurial spirit)
Business sector lacks diversity
Lack of infrastructure to support high tech
Railroads business has diminished
Location is challenge to bring industry
Seasonal tourism
Lack of peak time lodging

Opportunities

Market and develop year round tourism
Develop Entrepreneurial programs
Development of Saxon Harbor
Market ATV trials
Improve local attitude on what tourism means for economy
Develop and market silent sports
Opportunity for secondary wood product industries
Develop downtown for retail
Market south shore of Lake Superior
Expansion of airport
Become more aware of trends in marketplace
Technology Zone program

Threats

High state taxes
Lack of financing from state and federal funding
Existing businesses thwart development of new businesses
Changing weather patterns, snowfall
Competition from Michigan on economic incentives for business
Lack of access to capital resources
Change in recreational trends over long term
Mandates with no funding City of Hurley

Here is a list of the City of Hurley's Proposed projects for a Department of Commerce Pilot Program

Improve the Downtown Business Climate

Streetscape Renovations on Silver Street

Install historic street lights
Improve sidewalks
Place benches along the street
Incorporate landscaping

To improve the visual aspect of downtown and encourage pedestrian traffic. This can be accomplished by coordinating with planned reconstruction of Silver Street

First Impressions of Hurley

A visit by Crandon residents last summer gave Hurley an idea what visitors see when they first come into Hurley

General appearance of buildings - Most good, some in need of cosmetic and cheep cleaning up
The variety of shopping - the basics were there, but not on main street.
Public amenities - no pay phones, drinking fountains or benches
Public infrastructure - streets need upgrading, sidewalks are in dire need of repair, parking was limited on main street and very rough on back streets.
Landscaping - none

Improve the Downtown Business Climate
Encourage Storefront Improvements

Get technical assistance on design
Incorporate a historic theme
Establish a funding source through loans, grants or a combination.

This will further improve the visual aspect of the downtown by encouraging more pedestrian traffic and enticing new business development

Cosmetic Improvements

General Appearances

Improve the Downtown Business Climate
Link Silver Street activity to Historical Museum
Continue streetscape design with sidewalks, street lights, benches and landscaping along third avenue to the Museum. This will visually make the Museum standout and incorporate another asset for downtown and increase traffic for all businesses.
Develop a downtown park

Establish a public area with a band shell, information kiosk and restrooms This would further encourage pedestrian traffic and entice new business development goal #1

Evaluate Business Needs

Survey business owners and identify needs for marketing and promotion.

Provide technical assistance on marketing for Silver Street
Provide a loan program to rennovate second floor apartments. This will keep activity in the downtown area and provide an added customer base Goal #1
Encourage the Hurley Downtown Development Authority to provide input and oversee developments.

Improve Sewer and Water System

Improve sanitary and storm sewer collection system
Make improvements as outlined in the study completed by MSA Professional Services in January 2005.
A $6.2 million project to upgrade an old dilapidated system.
Incorporate downtown sewer improvements with streetscape improvements. This would put Hurley in compliance with a regional wastewater authority and help entice new business development. goal #2 Improve Sewer and Water System Develop a water well in Hurley and make distribution system improvements.
A $2.5 million project to develop Hurley's own well and make system improvements.

Improve Sewer and Water System Reconstruct city streets. .Incorporate street reconstruction with planned water and sewer improvements

Extend County Road D

Extend County Road D to Highway 77.
This has been a community development effort for many years.
This would open up over 200 acres for a mixed use development of light industrial, commercial and residential.
This would take heavy truck and bus traffic off of Silver Street improving safety and traffic flow
Enhance pedestrian traffic in a newly designed streetscape for Silver Street.

County D Extension Expand Industrial Park

Expand Industrial Park Build an industrial spec building.
Construct a building that would house smaller spaces for new and expanding businesses.
Studies from northern Wisconsin show new job growth is coming from new and expanding businesses from the local area.

Hurley Industrial Park

Develop Recreational Opportunities Construct walking/biking trails.
Develop non motorized trails around the Hurley School, to Cary Park, along the riverfront and connect them to the downtown area Construct better parking areas for snowmobile and ATV traffic in the downtown area.

Evaluation and Documentation of Outcomes

Baseline data through surveys and demographic information.
Develop an evaluation and measurement tool
Annual evaluation report
Final evaluation report Project Management Project Management
Create a Steering Committee. This committee would be made up of key stakeholders who would advise the City Council, work with the Department of Commerce and administer the program.
Identify a single contact person who would manage the day to day operation of the project

What's Missing - These were projects that have been discussed for Hurley in the past. Are there others?

Prioritize - Many of these projects fit together. But where do we start and where do we end?