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April 16, 2009 |
Superintendent Drew Johnson and Prairie du Chien School Board President Brian Edwards invited the City of Prairie du Chien to become a partner with the school district in building a community recreation complex attached to the high school.
The school district plans to apply for funding available through the government stimulus package, and, at the March 14 meeting of the Common Council, outlined the plan presented at the school board the night before (see "Federal Stimulus," also on Page 1 for more details).
Johnson said if the stimulus proposal is accepted, he believes the school district could build and maintain the facility with no extra help, but they are looking for partners, mainly to share the cost of maintenance. They would ask the city to help pay the costs of utilities, estimated at $45,000 to $50,000 per year.
Although the concept has been referred to as a "big box gymnasium," the facility is envisioned as a combination community arts, recreation and performance center. Johnson suggested that the council might want to consider participating in project rather than attempting to maintain and renovate Hoffman Hall. Edwards said he understood it could cost $1.5 to $6 million over the next few years to renovate Hoffman Hall. One drawback to closing Hoffman Hall as a recreation center would be that the stimulus package would not cover the cost of building a swimming pool.
Although no decision was called for at the meeting council members had several questions. One of the questions related to the role the city would plan in the planning and use of the facilities.
Johnson said they are looking for a proposal, and if the city would like a certain amount of space it could be done in exchange for some utility costs. He pointed out that the district has already been working with the city in sharing Fund 80 programs for city recreational programs.
Council member Jaaren Riebe also expressed concern about a partnership, saying that things had not always gone as smoothly as possible in the city’s partnership with the county in the joint dispatch center.
Riebe said he wanted community members to have access in the evening as well as during the day. He also said he was concerned about access to locker rooms, which are located in the school building. Johnson said they had discussed putting a small family locker and changing room in the new facility.
Council member Frank Pintz stated, "I think everybody knows how I feel about Hoffman Hall. The new building would be in a better location where people could find it." He said he felt the city’s best choice would be to partner with the school district.
The proposal is in its early stages, and no formal plans will be drawn up unless it is approved by a referendum vote. Johnson said there is a need to decide soon while the funding is still available.
The proposal was on the agenda for discussion at a joint meeting of the Public Works and Planning Committees March 15 at 6:30 p.m.
In other business council:
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•Approved the use of funds from the 2008 City Capital Plan to put in a lift station at the Reed House on St. Feriole Island, at a cost of $3,500. The lift station would make it possible to use the bathrooms in the building. |
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•Authorized the Public Service Commission to use the industry standard of seven percent as the rate of return on the city’s water assets to meet debt service requirements. City Administrator Jim Gitz said this would affect only the water portion of water and sewer bills, and could amount to a per quarter increase of $4 to $5 for the average residential user. |
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•Approved the release of $11,120 in retainage relating to the Cass Street construction project. A small amount has been kept for work the city will complete. |
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•Approved a resolution to participate in the DNR Mercury Green Tier Program. It would have no impact on the city budget. |
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•Certified the findings from the Board of Canvassers following the April 7 elections. |
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• Approved a request from the Family Resource Center to close Crawford Street April 25 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. for a Mighty Machines display and family program. |
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•Approved a request for close Blackhawk Avenue on May 1 between 3 and 8 p.m. for the grand opening celebration of the city’s new streetscape. |
A concept whereby Prairie du Chien might be able to take advantage of federal "stimulus package" money caused some excitement at the Prairie du Chien School Board meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Drew Johnson gave a presentation about how the school district and the community could take advantage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act so as to save money, create jobs and reform education.
"This is an historic one-time opportunity," said Johnson, who noted that more than $100 billion will be spent on an educational investment nationwide. He said that an estimated $154 million will be allocated in Wisconsin in both 2009 and 2010, and that one idea would be for the school district and the community to build a Community Arts, Recreation, and Performance Center that would have a wide range of uses.
Johnson said that the Prairie du Chien School District could receive up to $7 million for the project, or any other appropriate project, if the school board and the residents would agree to do so. He also said that the school district is actively seeking partners such as the city of Prairie du Chien.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Johnson, who noted that any such a project would have to be approved by a referendum.
He said that the funding would be in the form of zero interest bonds. The federal government would pay the interest and the district would pay the principal on the Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB). The bond proceeds may be used to finance new construction, rehabilitation, repair of public school facilities and the acquisition of land.
Johnson said that the district will have to act soon if it is interested because there is limited time, limited money and competition for funds. The application would have to be in before June 30, 2009, he said.
A project such as a community center would have no effect upon the district’s revenue limit. Because the federal government covers all of the interest in the form of tax credits on the bonds, there could be a resulting savings of up to 50 percent for such a project.
Furthermore, state aid would fund approximately 60-70 percent of the principal payment, said Johnson. Thus, a $7 million project would cost the school district approximately $3 million. This would result in a local cost or school payment of about $200,000 per year for 15 years. Johnson said that under current conditions, this payment would not result in an increase in the tax rate for school purposes.
A community center project would create 50-100 jobs instantly. Such a center could also bring events and people to the area where they will be spending money. A community center would have a composite floor and would be able to be used for several purposes such as tournaments, concerts, plays, art shows, conventions, wellness and recreation programs, and business meetings.
"The use would be only limited by imagination," said Johnson.
"This is an incredible opportunity," said Board President Brian Edwards, who noted that the district should move forward and look at all aspects of what it might be able to do through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
"This is a huge opportunity for the whole spectrum," said teacher and coach Mel Dow.
High School Principal Andy Banasik concurred by saying, "It’s an intriguing concept and would help the whole community."
"This is a fantastic opportunity for a number of activities," said Bluff View Principal Aaron Amundson.
In addition to a community center, other possible uses for federal stimulus QSCB funding could be a multi-purpose activity/wellness education, kitchen/lunchroom at the high school; a big theater-auditorium at the high school; an upgrade of high school facilities for technical education, agriculture, greenhouse, and art; B.A. Kennedy roofing and classroom digital projectors; Bluff View flooring and technology upgrades; or alternative energy education demonstration units.
Extra internal one-time funding could also be obtained for Title I (reading and math) and for IDEA (special education).
Johnson stressed that a proposed community center or any other project is in the "idea or concept" stage only.
"This is in its infancy. We are in the very early stages," he said.
April 13, 2009 |
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Matt Frank has announced the department will recommend a one-year moratorium on the Earn-a-Buck program outside of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zone for the 2009 deer hunt. Additionally, DNR is recommending 40 deer management units that had the October antlerless hunt last year (without Earn-a-Buck) will now have a regular hunting season for 2009.
"Deer hunting is a rich tradition in Wisconsin, and the DNR takes our role in protecting this important part of our heritage very seriously," Secretary Frank said. "In light of the recommendation from the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, and the concerns of hunters expressed at annual DMU (deer management unit) meetings across the state and two legislative hearings sponsored by Sen. Holperin and Rep. Hraychuck, the DNR is recommending a one year moratorium on the use of Earn-a-Buck in DMUs outside of the CWD zone for the 2009 hunting season. Retaining Earn-a-Buck within the CWD zone maintains our commitment to controlling the spread of CWD by reducing local deer populations."
Regarding Crawford County, the area west of Highway 61 (Unit 74B) will not be Earn-A-Buck under the moratorium. The area east of Highway 61 (Unit 71) will be Earn-A-Buck because it is in the CWD Management Zone.
The Conservation Congress Big Game Study Committee reviewed the department’s deer season proposal. The committee recommended a one year moratorium on Earn-a-Buck (except in CWD zones) and that all recommended Earn-a-Buck units be changed to Herd Control (October hunt) units. The Big Game Study Committee was clear that if, during this moratorium, the deer herd increased, Earn-a-Buck would return in 2010.
"We made additional efforts this year to gather hunter and public input," Secretary Frank said. "We expanded our information collection methods to include over 40 public meetings around the state and more than twice as many people attended herd status meetings this year than last. For the first time, we offered an online survey, which was completed by over 6,000 people."
Hunter frustration with the fall 2008 hunt was particularly pronounced this year, aggravating fundamental concerns with Earn-a-Buck. These final recommendations reflect feedback received from the Conservation Congress, the DNR’s herd status meetings and the new online survey.
Deer populations were lower than anticipated in fall of 2008. The impacts of the harsh winter weather and the late, cool spring reduced fawn production and deer survival more than anticipated.
"We have taken action in response to avoid the problems encountered last season and improve our science base for decision making," Secretary Frank said. "One of the steps we have already taken is to establish more stations to measure winter severity and have a more complete picture of winter impact on fawn production and deer survival."
Deer population goals are established to ensure a healthy deer herd and habitat for the long term, ensuring the preservation of our great hunting traditions for future generations. A deer herd above a healthy population goal stunts forest regeneration and causes significant crop damage.
"Our population goals are also designed to protect the long-term vitality and economic viability of our forests and our agriculture lands," Secretary Frank said. "By achieving the right balance, we preserve Wisconsin’s great deer hunting tradition for generations to come, and maintain hunting, forestry and agriculture as key components of Wisconsin’s economy."
During the moratorium, the DNR proposes to work with the Congress, the Natural Resources Board, hunters, landowners and the public to consider potential changes to Earn-a-Buck or consider other herd control measures that effectively move the herd towards population goals. This year coincides with the regularly scheduled three year review of deer population goals that will provide additional opportunity for public input.
By Mary Elise Antoine
North Main Street. In the foreground are homes built in the 1840-1850s still standing today. Behind are two stones structures: the Famechon Hotel and the Hotel Brillion. The Crawford County Office Building is on this location. In the right background is the Crawford County Courthouse.
After the Black Hawk War, Prairie du Chien began to change. The early fur traders and voyageurs were getting old. They retired from the trade. The younger traders and voyageurs moved north and west to follow the fur trade.
In the face of increased pressure, the Native Americans tribes of central and southern Wisconsin signed treaties with the United States. They relinquished all claims to their traditional hunting grounds and village sites, thereby opening their lands for settlement. More troops were sent to the military forts in Wisconsin and along the Mississippi River to ensure the tribes either stayed confined to reservations or to help in the relocation of the Winnebago, Sac, Mesquaki, and Pottawatomie west of the Mississippi River.
With the creation of the Wisconsin Territory in1836, settlers from the East were encouraged to move west and buy virgin prairie for farming. Land speculators preceded the settlers. Some of the first speculators came to Prairie du Chien. They convinced some of the early residents to sell their farm lots. Within a few years the great farm lots on the south end of the prairie were sold and sub-divisions or "Additions" platted.
In 1837 Prairie du Chien Land Company No. 1 was formed. Several investors from New York had purchased farm lots owned by Pierre Lessard and Charles Lapoint. Anticipating a demand for house lots, the Company owners subdivided the farm lots. They laid out streets, blocks, and alleys. Each street was named. The old Indian Trail, later called the Highway by Lucius Lyon, was named Front Street.
Some of the newer residents of Prairie du Chien also felt there was money to be made in land speculation. They too purchased farm lots south of Fort Crawford and platted streets, blocks, and lots. They named the streets running north and south the same as those established by the Prairie du Chien Land Company. So Front Street continued north through Lockwood’s Addition, owned by James Lockwood, and Beaumont’s Addition, owned by Dr. William Beaumont. The other north-south streets were numbered. As lots were purchased and homes and businesses structures built, this area became known as Lower Town.
Some of the older French-Canadian residents living on the north side of the prairie took note of what Lockwood, Beaumont, and Alfred Brunson were doing. They must have decided that their land could be more valuable as building sites than farmland.
In 1842 Strange Powers and Julien Lariviere divided their lots in the Village of St. Friol into smaller lots. Margueritte Lariviere, Power’s neighbor to the south, did the same in 1843. Each had a map drawn of their subdivision. These maps record for the first time the names of the streets that were the boundaries of their Village lots. The old Indian trail/Highway was called Main Street. The street to the north was Bridge Street, as at the end of the street was a bridge connecting the prairie to the Main Village on the island. To the south was Court Street and to the east was Second Street. Within a few years, Second Street was renamed Church Street because it led from St. Gabriel’s Church to the Methodist Church.
The name Main Street had been given to the Highway. In the 1840s, it was still the only road that ran the entire length of the prairie. As the oldest thoroughfare, houses had been constructed facing the road, and buildings for new businesses were under construction. Within a few years, several hotels, dry goods stores, and small manufacturies opened along Main Street. Seeing this potential, Hercules L. Dousman had acquired the farm lot owned by Jean Marie Quere. In 1854 he subdivided this land, platting more lots, blocks, and streets and built the Dousman Block on Main Street.
By 1854 land speculation on the prairie was big business. The three villages on the prairie were expanding. More and more people were coming to the prairie and purchasing lots. Alfred Brunson wrote an article in which he speculated that Prairie du Chien would become as important as Chicago because of its location on the Mississippi River and the railroad that would connect the community to Milwaukee and Lake Michigan. But there was a problem. Each village and subdivision existed separate from the other. They were all part of the Township of St. Anthony, but government control came from Crawford County. Several of the County Commissioners decided it was necessary to unify all of the subdivisions north of Fort Crawford. In 1856 the Union Plat was formed. North-south and east-west streets were surveyed from Frederick Street to Cass Street and from the Marais de St. Friole to the bluffs. The name of the old Indian Trail/Highway was confirmed as Main Street.
For the next 15 years the villages at Prairie du Chien continued to grow. New businesses developed along Bluff Street, and this area became known as Upper Town. It soon spread to and overtook the Village of St. Friole located along Main Street, and that name became part of history. In 1872 the City of Prairie du Chien was incorporated and Benjamin F. Fay elected the first mayor.
As part of the incorporation, city limits were defined. The City included all of the Union Plat, the Main Village located on the island, the Fort Crawford Military Tract and all of the additions and the land that had been part of the Prairie du Chien Land Company south of Fort Crawford. The city limits of today are the same as defined in 1872. To establish continuity, the city fathers insisted that the names of the streets in the north end of the city and the south end of the city be the same. So Front Street became Main Street.
The Main Street of today has its origins in the old Indian Trail that Isaac Lee saw when he came to Prairie du Chien in 1820. It is the same trail/highway/street along which many people built their homes and businesses. Starting at the north end of the Highway, the history of Main Street stretches for several miles. The log home of Francois Vertefeuille built before 1815 is the only remnant of the Upper Village. Just north of the city limits is the French Catholic Burying Ground. Upon crossing the intersection of Frederick and Main Streets, many houses that were part of the Village of St. Friol still stand today. These include the home of Louis Louseau dit Cardin, the French-Canadian log homes of Louis Robert, Strange Powers, Pierre Lariviere, and John H. Fonda. Further south of the Fonda house is a small building in which Ulysses S. Grant’s uncle conducted business. And across the street are several Greek Revival houses built in the 1850s.This old Indian Trail that existed when the first Frenchmen settled the prairie was the main street of Prairie du Chien for over one hundred years.
Author’s Note: In the three blocks of North Main Street between Blackhawk Avenue and Washington Street are over a dozen buildings built before 1860. This is the greatest concentration of early buildings in all of the City of Prairie du Chien. These structures document the early French culture of the community and the first homes and businesses of settlers from the eastern United States. They are all worthy of preservation. Perhaps there should be a Main Street Preservation and Restoration program.
