I Want To Know
What happened to plans for a Sussex Y?
Posted: March 29, 2010,Lake Country Reporter
Like many other plans conceived during brighter economic times, a proposal to build a YMCA in Sussex is now in a bit of a holding pattern.
Officials from the Waukesha Family YMCA are still committed to building a Y in Sussex, said CEO Chris Becker, but fundraising feasibility research has shown that the launch of a capital campaign should probably be delayed until the economy takes a turn for the better.
“We plan on re-evaluating the opportunity to start up a communitywide fundraising effort either later this year or in 2011,” Becker said.
Plans to build a Sussex Y were first announced about three years ago. Officials initially planned to build the facility as part of a large commercial and residential development project planned for an area off Highway 164 just south of the new Shopko.
When the developer cancelled the project, Y officials set their sights on a different piece of land, a 20-acre parcel on the southwest corner of Highways 164 and K. On that site, Y officials plan to build a facility in partnership with a healthcare organization, to deliver a unique approach to wellness and fitness in the region, Becker said
Initial building plans for the new facility have been drawn up, and officials have begun preliminary work necessary to address stormwater management and other issues, Becker said.
“The YMCA and the community leadership are very dedicated to the project and making a Y facility become a reality in the Sussex region,” Becker said.
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Main St.-Silver Spring Drive plans changed
Posted Living Sussex Sun, March 25, 2014
Village of Sussex A proposal to reconfigure the iconic triangle intersection at Main Street and Silver Spring Drive as part of the reconstruction of Main Street may be changed.
Village officials who were considering rerouting Silver Spring Drive at Hickory Road to the west and north through undeveloped land, and connecting it into a T-intersection at Main Street, west of the existing triangle intersection, are now considering jogging Silver Spring Drive to the east to connect into a new T-intersection with Main Street, east of the existing intersection.
If adopted, the plan would likely mean the demolition of the Youth Hall located at N63 W223669 Silver Spring Drive, which also houses the Sussex Outreach Services (SOS) and the food pantry. Village Administrator Jeremy Smith said there are long range plans that call for replacing the outdated facility.
The revised intersection plan was discussed briefly at last week’s Plan Commission meeting.
Plans for senior housing
Commissioners heard a proposal from Top Leaf Development of the Town of Lisbon to construct medical offices and senior assisted living apartments and condominiums on the ll acres of land west of Silver Spring from Hickory Road north to near Main Street.
Commissioner Richard Wegner asked Smith what impact the proposed development would have on the village’s plans to reroute Silver Spring and replace the triangle intersection. Smith responded the village is now considering rerouting Silver Spring to the east rather than west.
Village President Greg Goetz, who chairs the Plan Commission, encouraged the developers to meet with senior citizen groups before proceeding further with their plans.
Goetz questioned whether the development should be devoted mostly to assisted living facilities. He said there is a need in the community for moderately priced housing for seniors who live independently.
Goetz suggested the development provide more transitional housing for seniors who might move into independent living apartments and condominiums and later move into assisted living quarters as they required greater care because of their age.
Shari Luther of Top Leaf Development said the company would meet with seniors but asked if the commission could proceed with the proposed zoning change for the development.
Goetz told her he wanted to see more detailed plans for the development after the developers had a chance to meet with the seniors before the village would consider rezoning.
Art Luther, owner of the company, said later that there is not enough developable land on the site to construct an economically viable transitional living residential complex.
The idea of rerouting Silver Spring Drive across the land arose more than two years ago as village officials began planning for the reconstruction of Main Street from Maple Avenue east to Waukesha Avenue. Main Street will have to be reconstructed because of the age of the street and the utilities buried beneath it.
Village consultants and planners suggested the Village Board consider widening the street and improving intersections possibly including roundabouts to promote more efficient flow of traffic.
The Main Street-Silver Spring Drive intersection reconfiguration is still under consideration, although the plans for widening the street and installing roundabouts have been dropped.