LGEDC/City Have Cooperated Since 1980s
These are highly visible to the citizens of the area. I believe it is important for local citizens to understand there are a number of other successful projects, coordinated by LGEDC, around Lake Geneva that show the results of successful cooperative efforts between the two organizations and others.
Going back to the early LGEDC years, the 1980’s, the first cooperative effort was the restoration of the lake front along Wrigley Drive and, at the same time, the initial placement of trees and brick sidewalks in the downtown area. The downtown has since been refurbished but the Wrigley Drive lakefront remains as it was then.
Those who remember the previous lakefront know it was a collection of large discarded concrete chunks and mud with no access for walking directly along the shore as there now is.
LGEDC contracted with, and hired, the designer/engineer for the project while the City budget and downtown property owners covered the actual cost of construction.
Another project initiated by LGEDC was the Highway 120 Lake Geneva bypass allowing this highway to run from Highway 50, on the north, to the Pilgrim Church corner on the south. LGEDC organized the initial “Highway 120 Committee” made up of representatives of the City, local townships, Walworth County, the State of Wisconsin DOT and state elected representatives as well as local business people. This committee worked on initial planning as well as coordinating the project approvals between all parties involved.
Results of this were substantially reduced heavy traffic through downtown Lake Geneva, better traffic flow and safety in the downtown, easier traffic access to the Lake Geneva Business Park, surrounding area businesses and northern Illinois plus the eventual completion of Edwards Blvd. to the north end of the City.
Looking into the future the LGEDC Board of directors, in 2008, purchased a 100 acre site for the “Business Commons of Lake Geneva”. With limited land available in the current business park the Board believed it was necessary to find a site for a future business park if the City were continue to grow with increased tax base and employment for area citizens.
The site is on Highway 120 south of the City and adjacent to the Otto Jacobs Company facilities. A concept plan has been developed with necessary approvals received from the City, Walworth County, WISDOT and WIDNR. Limited site work has been accomplished but further work will depend both on the economy and annexation of the site into the City along with available utilities.
The LGEDC Board looks forward to more opportunities to cooperate with the City, as well as others in the community, to make Lake Geneva a better place to work, live and play.