Downtown Waupaca’s Main Street Redevelopment

Challenge

Downtown Waupaca’s Main Street faced mounting infrastructure challenges, including aging utilities, crumbling pavement, and outdated pedestrian features, all of which threatened public safety and stalled economic momentum in this Wisconsin community. Frequent maintenance issues and limited accessibility made it difficult for residents, tourists, and local businesses to fully engage with the downtown area. Without strategic intervention, the community risked losing its identity as a regional destination for shopping, dining, and cultural events. 

Solution

To help reverse this trend and support a broader vision for long-term economic redevelopment, SEH was brought in to lead the design of infrastructure improvements along Main Street – a key corridor serving as both a commercial and cultural hub.

In support of the City's vision for a safer, more vibrant downtown, SEH partnered with City leaders, business owners, and community stakeholders to design infrastructure improvements that met both immediate needs and long-term goals. The team delivered full roadway and utility design services – rebuilding sidewalks, curb and gutter, roadway, and underground utilities – to improve functionality, safety, and accessibility throughout the corridor. SEH also guided the City through complex federal and state funding processes, helping secure STP-Urban funding that was essential to bringing the project to life.

A key challenge emerged early in the design process: preserving on-street angled parking. Local merchants viewed the parking as essential to their survival, but the layout conflicted with standard WisDOT guidelines. SEH successfully secured an Exception to Standards from WisDOT – an uncommon achievement – which allowed angled parking to remain in the design while still complying with ADA and modern safety standards. This decision was pivotal in maintaining the area’s commercial viability.

The project also included streetscape enhancements such as decorative concrete paving, native Wisconsin street trees planted along the street in underground soil cells for long-term health, custom granite road markers, and ADA-compliant pedestrian bump-outs. In addition to improving safety and mobility, these enhancements reinforced downtown Waupaca’s identity and sense of place. The design celebrated the City’s robust local art scene – poetry was incorporated into select sidewalk panels, and dedicated locations were identified for future public art and sculpture installations. Together, these elements elevated the corridor’s functionality while creating a more vibrant, expressive downtown experience.

Waupaca’s downtown transformation launched new momentum, positioning the community for continued redevelopment. With infrastructure now in place to support increased foot traffic, safer travel, and long-term utility reliability, the City is better equipped to attract new businesses, host community events, and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike.