Moving and Shaking in Sister Bay

Bay Shore Drive (Highway 42) Reconstruction:  Substantial portions of the Bay Shore Drive Utility project have been completed, with the crew’s energies focused on sewer and water pipe installation. The newly installed pipes are larger than the existing, to allow for economic growth in Sister Bay, and to better serve current businesses and homes. Unseasonably cold weather in early December halted construction earlier than planned.

The project is anticipated to begin again March 31 (or when Mother Nature decides to thaw out enough for work), and be completed before Memorial Day weekend. The spring construction will include the burial of overhead utility lines, which will improve the aesthetics of the downtown. Businesses are open in the construction area. Please come and support local businesses to keep the circle of dollars flowing into and out of Sister Bay. 

Economic Development:  A plan for action to fill in the “missing teeth” in downtown Sister Bay was approved Jan. 15 by the Village Economic Development Committee. The plan identifies five key properties for development, as well as steps property owners and the village government can implement to get the ball rolling on development.

The Sister Bay Village Board is working closely with developers, consultants and interested citizens to implement public policies and ordinances which are favorable for development, yet protect the aesthetics and quality of life that Sister Bay citizens and visitors enjoy.

Beach Expansion:  Sister Bay will have a 530-foot stretch of sand beach come summer 2015. From the swim dock to the Sister Bay Yacht Club, the rip-rap rocks will be removed, earth will be graded and water filtration plantings will be installed to provide the public with an even better place to play. Bids for construction contractors will be let in the summer of 2014, and construction will take place after Fall Fest 2014.

Performance Pavilion:  An anonymous family has graciously donated money to the Village for the construction of a performance pavilion at the south end (old Helm’s Four Seasons Motel site) of Waterfront Park. The Village Board of Trustees will award a contract to Zeise Construction of Green Bay for the work on the project. Construction will begin in March of 2014 and be completed by mid-May.

Scandia Village:  A three-phase capital building project is underway on the Scandia Village-Good Samaritan campus. A groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I, the new assisted living and wellness/therapy center was held August 29, 2013; this center is scheduled to open in late 2014.

Phase II includes short-term rehabilitative suites/private rooms located near the new wellness/therapy center. A café for residents, families and visitors will also be added. Phase III will include the conversion of private rooms in the care center. Each room will accommodate personal furnishings, a shower, and if needed, a mechanical lift. Beautiful enclosed courtyards will be accessible.

The project will also facilitate an extension of Canterbury Lane to Maple Drive, creating a long awaited bypass for local traffic around the downtown hill at the junction of Highway 42/57.

The support of this project has been amazing. To date, more than $6.1 million has been raised towards the $8 million “Partners in Compassion” capital campaign goal. Fundraising efforts are ongoing and Good Samaritan-Scandia Village invites you to become a “Partner in Compassion” and donate to the project.

Stony Ridge Development:  Plans are under way for an additional phase of the Stony Ridge development (new housing next to Northern Door Children’s Center and the Piggly Wiggly), with preliminary plans for another phase of the project scheduled to come before the Village’s Plan Commission Feb. 4. This subdivision will create 26 new single family homes in the community, with homes expected to sell in the low $200,000 range. The addition of this subdivision further expands economic growth along the Highway 57 corridor (another reason for the construction to improve the village sewer and water capacities) and will provide much needed affordable housing for northern Door County.

• • •

And in other municipal news gathered by the Pulse:

A crew with Iron Works Construction of Baileys Harbor moved a crane into the harbor on Jan. 16 to begin dredging 1,500 cubic yards of material from the harbor.

Baileys Harbor:  A crew with Iron Works Construction of Baileys Harbor moved a crane into the harbor on Thursday, Jan. 16, to begin dredging. Iron Works put in the low bid of $35,500 and was awarded the project by the town board at its Jan. 13 meeting. According to the permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, dredging of 1,500 cubic yards of material has to be completed by March 1.

Door County:  The Door County Planning Department is holding a public education/discussion meeting on planning and zoning issues for town and village board and plan commission members at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, Jan. 29, in the Peninsula Room of the Door County Government Center in Sturgeon Bay. The agenda includes discussion and review of the new FEMA floodplain study for Door County. Door County Zoning Administrator Sue Vanden Langenberg will review with attendees what is known about the new study. That will be followed by an open Q&A on county zoning regulations and procedures.

Jacksonport:  The Jacksonport Town Board will meet 7 pm Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Town Hall, 3365 County Road V. Check out the town’s website for an agenda, jacksonport.org.

Send your municipal news to [email protected].