Hortonville officials celebrated the reopening of Main Street on Friday, marking the first major downtown renovation since 1958. The project, funded by local, county and state taxpayers, cost $1.2 million and was completed in just three months.
Why the renovation mattered
In 2023, a new bypass opened on Highway 15, allowing drivers to avoid the downtown corridor. Village Administrator Nathan Treadwell explained that the bypass “definitely took a lot of business away” from downtown merchants, prompting the village to seek ways to mitigate the loss of car traffic.
Improvements to the street
The renovation repaved Main Street, expanded the sidewalk and installed brighter, energy‑efficient lighting. Treadwell said the village hopes the upgrades will turn Main Street into “the heart of our downtown, the heart of our community.” He added that the village is exploring options for outdoor food and beverage service, which could further draw visitors.
Community response
Local business owner Ryan Richeson, who purchased a downtown storefront earlier this year, praised the effort. “I think this will be a big benefit,” he said. “If we can do this a couple times a year, it’ll bring people from Greenville, Appleton, New London down to the area.” Richeson noted that the street closure for a Halloween celebration—featuring vendors, food trucks and live music—demonstrated the potential for future events.
Looking ahead
The village plans to host additional gatherings on Main Street, using the newly improved infrastructure to attract regional shoppers and support local entrepreneurs. By encouraging drivers to intentionally travel County Highway JJ through downtown, Hortonville hopes to restore foot traffic and bolster the local economy.
Funding and timeline
The $1.2 million renovation was paid for through a combination of village, Brown County and Wisconsin state funds. Construction began in early July and is slated to be fully completed next week, with final touches to signage and landscaping to follow.
Residents are invited to enjoy the newly opened Main Street and attend upcoming events that aim to celebrate Hortonville’s heritage while fostering a vibrant, family‑friendly downtown.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
