BAYFIELD DIRT Project Highlights in Northern Wiscsonsin
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
Madeline Island Golf Course:
Developed 80 parcels around the course for future homes (all of them have been purchased). Revitalized this failed business in the 1980s by introducing a high-end food and beverage business in the clubhouse and offering golf packages that boosted membership and made the business profitable
Impact: Sold revitalized food and beverage business to local business owner who moved the business to Wisconsin's main land 10 years later, it was renamed “Wild Rice”, well known today as one of Bayfield's successful restaurant and business.
Madeline Island Airport:
Introduced a development plan to improve the airfield and led fundraising efforts to resurface the runway, build hangar spaces and a pilot's lounge (16 hangars have since been built based on this initial plan)
Impact: Grew base of landowners accessing the land by airplane and led to the construction of the Island’s first small business industrial park
Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center:
Represented Ashland County in the development of the Center (a 7-Million Dollar facility) which specializes in connecting people with the beauty and unique cultural history of the region
Impact: The center engages visitors through exhibits, films, events, and interpretive boardwalk nature trails
CONSTRUCTION AND GENERAL CONTRACTING
Stone Point Properties:
Laid out parcels to maximize views of the lake and carefully placed the roads and utility easements for this 60 acre development with ¼ mile of lake shore on Madeline Island
Impact: 7 homes built here are valued at $3.4 million and are generating $63,000 in annual tax revenue
Apostle Highlands Golf Course:
Developed innovative approach for parcel delineation allowing homeowners at this Bayfield property to own land extending from their home site into the golf course fairway and ensuring that views and property values can be maintained. Designed/laid out ponds, interconnecting roads, and utilities to maximize convenience for property owners
Impact: 70 parcels are generating more than $300,000 in annual property tax revenue
Cliff Point Properties:
Laid out parcels and created roads that were sensitive to the natural topography of the land for this 40 acre property of lake shore near Schooner Bay
Impact: Previously underutilized property is now assessed at $1.4 million and generating in excess of $22,000 in annual tax revenue and providing jobs for local tradesmen.
Laid out parcels to maximize views of the lake and carefully placed the roads and utility easements for this 60 acre development with ¼ mile of lake shore on Madeline Island
Impact: 7 homes built here are valued at $3.4 million and are generating $63,000 in annual tax revenue
Apostle Highlands Golf Course:
Developed innovative approach for parcel delineation allowing homeowners at this Bayfield property to own land extending from their home site into the golf course fairway and ensuring that views and property values can be maintained. Designed/laid out ponds, interconnecting roads, and utilities to maximize convenience for property owners
Impact: 70 parcels are generating more than $300,000 in annual property tax revenue
Cliff Point Properties:
Laid out parcels and created roads that were sensitive to the natural topography of the land for this 40 acre property of lake shore near Schooner Bay
Impact: Previously underutilized property is now assessed at $1.4 million and generating in excess of $22,000 in annual tax revenue and providing jobs for local tradesmen.
MARINE CONSTRUCTION
Kreher Memorial Park:
Revitalization project in Ashland started by Harry Nelson - completing construction of unfinished underwater retaining walls, walkway, dock and boat launching facility
Impact: Transformed an abandoned industrial shoreline into a beautiful boat launching and swimming area, park, campground and rest area for visitors
Roy’s Point Marina:
Developed underutilized and fragmented area (65 wooded acres and approx. 3,000 ft. of shoreline near Bayfield), designing a maintenance facility, marina and green space layout includes a clubhouse, ship store, natural beach and a 57 slip marina currently housing millions of Dollars worth of boats and a Multi-Million Dollar maintenance facility for the National Park Service
Impact: Provides high-paying jobs for locals who are hired to charter, maintain and store boats
Duffy Dock:
Experience as a second generation dock builder was utilized for the rebuilding of an unsafe dock in Bayfield. Applied a more durable and environmentally friendly design for dock planks with exceptional results
Impact: Dock is now in use, providing a safe port and restoring free trade for local fishermen
REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING
Specialized Licensed Real Estate Broker with an eye for identifying beautiful open spaces and scenic corridors and converting underutilized land into lucrative real estate portfolios.
Developed 2,000+ acres of land since 1980 with community development and habitat preservation in mind.
Saved vast tracks of land for agricultural and recreational use (e.g. cross-country ski trails, hiking trails, nature walks, creation of parks and public beaches).
Contributed to tourism growth by including special provisions on hundreds of acres of land developments, e.g. dark sky ordinances and conservation subdivisions.
SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Gravel Pit Project:
Introduced a long-term conservation plan to restore damaged land and habitat following aggressive logging by previous property owner in Russell.
Provided timber in support of operations for Bay Front XCel Energy Plant in Ashland to be used as a source of inexpensive electricity for the plant, sustaining plant operations for over a month. Opened a short-term gravel pit to provide low-cost rocks to neighboring townships for road maintenance.
Impact: Towns of Russell & Bayfield each saved $45,000+ by purchasing locally and at a significant discount
PROPERTY ENHANCEMENT AND DESIGN
Eagle Bluff & Black Bear Ridge Projects:
Mapped out roads, delineated building pads and easements and laid out view corridors to maximize views. Properties are now known for the best panoramic views in Bayfield.
Impact: 12 high-end homes have been custom-built by local tradesmen and continue to employ highly skilled craftsmen from the local community; this type of home generates the highest tax revenue and the least expenses for taxpayers in the area
Valley View Orchard:
One of the first conservation developments in Bayfield County. Laid out roads and easements to maximize property appeal - including agricultural restrictions to maintain land and orchard experiences critical for the environmental health of the community
Impact: Achieved goals laid out by the Farmland Preservation Act (in place to preserve unique open spaces for agriculture only) without using taxpayer Dollars