Business View Magazine | September 2020

312 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020 and, hopefully, having our first phase of private investment on that project in 2021.” The River Point development consists mainly of residential and mixed-use, with some dedicated areas for commercial or office. It includes infrastructure such as bike trails, riverside walking paths, lookouts and activity nodes at various spots to allow better public access to the river, infrastructure, and a boulevard with pedestrian-friendly design - all intended to complement the downtown, adding more residential options while maintaining a uniquely separate atmosphere. A new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district established in 2020 will be used to fund the infrastructure, as well as any development incentives that are necessary. According to Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels, “Two years ago we went through a Downtown Master Plan that really kicked things off. The goal was to get people to live, work, and play downtown – not only young people, but those just retired who are downsizing. With our downtown being 150 years old, the city is putting a lot of dollars into renovating those older buildings to provide other types of apartments, along with the brand new ones on the peninsula. People also need groceries, so we’re going to have a co-op grocery store there in the very near future, and more restaurants, bars, and outdoor parks. Walkability is huge, so we’ve been redoing our main street to be more pedestrian-safe and friendly, and adding trees and flowers.” The opportunity for people to work downtown is a huge asset. In that regard, there Mayor, Justin Nickels