drawn to the community for its kayaking, fishing, and ATV trails, while a unique blend of natural beauty and small-town charm drive a flourishing tourism sector. Welcoming growth, Mauston is actively working to attract development, business and amenities, striving to create an ideal place to live, work, and play. MAUSTON’S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN Downtown Mauston is an area steeped in history, with many of its buildings dating back to the early 20th century. These historic gems give the district its distinctive character, while acting as a backdrop to revitalization efforts. With only one remaining infill spot in the downtown district available for potential new construction, the focus is on breathing new life into the existing architecture, and the city’s Tax Incremental District (TID) program is a major factor in the improvements. Daron Haugh, City Administrator,elaborates,“We are trying to incentivize business owners to repurpose buildings and make them more attractive, whether it’s simple facade, awning, paint, brickwork, or interior development, such as reconstructing.” The goal is to enhance the downtown’s aesthetic appeal while also encouraging mixed-use development in TID 5. HOUSING GROWTH AND INCENTIVES Housing is a key focus in Mauston, guided by a recently conducted housing study. “It came back saying, we need homes, we need apartments,” Haugh reports. “We knew it, but the study solidified that. We’re trying to push for that.” In an effort to address this demand, the city has developed a comprehensive plan which includes initiatives to promote residential growth. “One of the things that’s in the master plan is an affordable housing fund, which we do have. We closed TIDs 2 and 3 a couple of years ago, and we directed those funds over to that,” he relays. This fund has already incentivized the construction of new apartments and the introduction of a new home build grant, encouraging residents to build primary homes in the community. Mayor, Darryl Teske, notes that the term “affordable housing” is not limited to subsidized residences, but also includes homes for those earning 40 to 60% of the median income, ensuring that there are available units for workforce residents, such as first responders 121 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 10 MAUSTON, WI
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