SAA led a team of cultural arts consultants, branding specialists and real estate experts in a community visioning process to explore the feasibility of creating an arts and entertainment district in downtown Fond du Lac. The resulting plan is a compelling, market and strategy driven vision enhancing community connectivity, economic sustainability and cultural vibrancy making the downtown a local and regional destination. The plan proposes a three-part approach – expand entertainment offerings by restoring the historic Retlaw Theater, create public spaces for special events and recruit visual artists into the downtown. Supporting this strategy are the return of public access to the Fond du Lac River which flows through the downtown, adjoining residential neighborhood revitalization strategies and the mixed use redevelopment of properties on the south edge of the downtown.
Since completing this plan the Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership has branded the new district, begun streetscape and public space design, applied for grants and completed the acquisition of the Retlaw Theatre.