Update: City Plan Commission MIA, Buffalo Wild Wings Rescheduled
The iconic restaurant is looking at a space on Durand Avenue in front of Regency Mall, but the lack of a quorum at a scheduled Planning Commission meeting means company representatives have to come back on March 13.
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**Updated 7:30 a.m. Feb. 28
Sports and wing lovers, your rejoicing about Buffalo Wild Wings opening in Racine may have to wait a little longer.
The Journal Times is reporting that a lack of a quorum Wednesday for a required public hearing with the city Plan Commission pushes the restaurant's opening back a few weeks.
Only Attorney Elaine Ekes was in attendance while other members of the commission were out of town, rehabbing a house and didn't hear their phone ring, sick, plowing snow or driving a child somewhere. But, seven people from BW3 - as it's commonly known - were able to attend from various locations throughout the Midwest.
According to Jill Johannack, associate planner for the City of Racine, the company is looking at the location of the former Lone Star Steakhouse at 5880 Durand Avenue. That restaurant closed last November, and, according to a story that ran in The Journal Times, the company was retaining ownership of the land to potentially put up a new restaurant.
Reporter Michael Burke quotes Regency Mall Manager Curt Pruitt as saying Wednesday he was embarrassed that this was how Racine was introduced and that one executive muttered, "'Welcome to Racine, Wis: not open for business.'"
A new date of March 13 has been set for another try at a public hearing, which is required because of the condition use permit BW3 will need to operate their restaurant.
Johannack confirmed that BW3 will tear down the Lone Star building and put up a new structure, but wasn't sure if the restaurants are owned by the same parent company.
"They do plan to demo the current structure and put up something completely new," she said. "I know they hope to be open this fall in time for the fall sports season."
Tracy Micheau, a regional marketing manager for Buffalo Wild Wings, confirmed a restaurant is slated to open here by the fourth quarter.
Paperwork submitted to the Plan Commission indicates the new restaurant means 30 new, full-time jobs for the area.
Tracy
8:05 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Yes!!!!! It's about time!!!!
Bill Bass
8:51 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Would be happy to have them!
Heather Asiyanbi
8:41 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I know, right?! This is some seriously good news ... it will be nice not to drive to Kenosha or Oak Creek!
Richard Head
9:15 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Congratulations to BWW!
A note of caution. The City of Racine has some seriously steep tax increases waiting for businesses and residents. The entire Mall area would be better off detaching itself from Racine and annexing itself to Sturtevant or Mount Pleasant. It's something that needs to be looked into, as Racine bleeds it's businesses and residents dry!
66.0227 Detachment of territory. Subject to ss. 66.0301 (6) (d) and 66.0307 (7), territory may be detached from a city or village and attached to a city, village or town to which it is contiguous as follows:
(1) A petition signed by a majority of the owners of three-fourths of the taxable land in area within the territory to be detached or, if there is no taxable land in the territory, by all owners of land in the territory, shall be filed with the clerk of the city or village from which detachment is sought, within 120 days after the date of publication of a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, of intention to circulate a petition of detachment.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/66/II/0227
Taxes galore to fund the spending problem of Racine City Hall!
http://racineexposed.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/why-democracies-fail/
Chris Larsen
8:46 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
B-dub.... Please look at the Village of Sturtevant. Your presence would be welcomed, and our committees work hard to make things happen!
Chris Wright
9:41 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Chris, I couldn't agree more.
Sean Waiss
12:20 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Perfect location in Sturtevant is by the cinema, and this type of restaurant is needed in that area. Can only help the other businesses in that area. Another option would be fronting Durand in Cobble Court.
Chris Larsen
12:22 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
I have reached out to Tracy Micheau. Lets see if she responds!
Bald Eagle
12:49 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
I have contacted our Village Clerk to do some reach out & "welcoming" to BW3 to our TID district along HWY 20 by Marcus! Let's see what happens. We would welcome them with open arms! I'm sure we could present a package to there liking! Stay tuned!
Beth David
1:12 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
The money and positive impact that BWW could have in this area.. They would actually do great, movies are shown on Christmas and Thanksgiving etc. That's a great market right there. Weekend movie business,,, and that's only to name a few things. It's only a few minutes from the location in the City of Racine that no one from the commission could be bothered to show up for!
SkinnyDude
12:06 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
A Planning Commission Where no one plans on attending to do their jobs is par for the course for the bumbling idiots running the show . BWW likely has plenty of people that would not only welcome them with open arms , but would show up to greet them .
Pathetic !!!