2007 Municipal Winners

Under 10,000 Population

City of Bayfield - Greater Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Plant

Stewardship of Lake Superior is a high priority to the city of Bayfield and surrounding areas, which enjoy the lake's recreational and tourism benefits throughout the year. To protect this resource, Bayfield and other local entities worked together to establish the new Greater Bayfield wastewater treatment plant. The plant delivers water protection beyond typical requirements, and has been identified by The Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as a demonstration plant, showcasing environmentally friendly technologies. The plant also has many energy saving features such as high efficiency motors, lights, aeration and disinfection processes. Online since January 2006, and the facility has consistently achieved its treatment goals, even at startup.

Over 10,000 Population

Cities of Oak Creek and Franklin - 27th Street Corridor Plan

The South 27th Street Corridor study area covers a six-mile area and marks the boundary between the cities of Franklin and Oak Creek. In 2004, these two communities enacted a six month moratorium on development along the corridor in order to come together and plan for the future of South 27th Street. Community leaders in both communities recognized that South 27th Street was poised to develop quickly and that there was an opportunity to direct the interest in the corridor, on the part of businesses, developers, property owners, and other investors, to create a well-planned and economically vibrant corridor for their respective communities.

Planning for the future of South 27th Street was initiated to:

• Ensure development occurs in a consistent and coordinated manner

• Promote a diverse economic base to provide jobs, goods and services to residents

• Provide a healthy, diverse property tax base

• Effectively respond to new development opportunities created by the opening of a new corporate campus.

The South 27th Street Corridor Plan is the result of a unique collaboration between the cities of Franklin and Oak Creek. However, South 27th Street also plays a significant and growing role in the larger Milwaukee County region. Furthermore, there is currently significant private investment in the corridor along with publicly owned lands. As such it was important that the planning process involve public and private representatives from within the two communities and around the region.