Racine Downtown Plan Sparks Revitalization

Samuel Johnson, the late chairman emeritus of SC Johnson and lifelong resident of Racine, led the city's downtown makeover by funding a major planning effort in the mid-1990's. The plan "stressed the importance of new retail and residential projects." The $200 million in public and private investment includes: a $12 million infrastructure upgrade along Main Street completed by the city as a "catalyst" project. Following the city's investment, the $11 million Racine Art Museum opened on Main Street in 2003, a gallery district on nearby Sixth Street has become home to a dozen galleries, a $15 million renovation of the Mitchell Wagon Factory Lofts occurred, and a $25 million office building for several of the SC Johnson's company divisions was completed.