City Development Director

The City of
Racine,
Wisconsin,
seeks a
progressive
manager with
planning
expertise and a
record of
successful
development
projects to be
its next...
City Development Director
THE COMMUNITY
Located in southeastern Wisconsin on Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River, the City of
Racine lies at the heart of the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, approximately 60 miles north of
Chicago and 30 miles south of Milwaukee. The city encompasses 15 square miles; it is bordered
by Lake Michigan and the Villages of Caledonia, Wind Point, North Bay, Elmwood Park, and
Mount Pleasant. According to the 2013 Census the City is home to 78,199 making it the state’s
fifth largest City. It also serves as the county seat for Racine County, with a population of nearly
200,000. Racine’s population is diverse with African-American, Hispanic/Latino, or multi-racial
persons representing approximately 45% of its population in 2010, 15% of the city’s population
reports speaking a language other than English at home.
Racine has capitalized on its orientation on Lake Michigan. Downtown Racine and the lakefront
area, in particular, have undergone substantial private and public investment and development.
Festival Park, the Racine Civic Centre, museums, the Laurel Clark Fountain, high-rise
condominiums, and town homes symbolize the City’s renaissance and its active community life.
Architectural highlights include buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and sculptural reliefs
on the county courthouse designed by noted sculptor Carl Milles. New developments are also
planned along the Root River.
Racine’s local economy is also transforming. With its origins as a manufacturing center, Racine
is home to companies that make farm machinery, processed foods, floor wax, machine tools,
automobile parts, and electrical equipment. Major Racine businesses include S.C. Johnson &
Son, Modine Manufacturing, In-Sink-Erator, and Twin Disk. Integrated Manufacturing and
Engineering Technology Center reflect ground-breaking developments that will define Racine’s
future.
Wind Point Lighthouse, located just north of the city, is a celebrated icon of the Racine area
reflecting the dominance of Lake Michigan. Residents and visitors enjoy the expanses of
shoreline and the multitude of recreational opportunities it offers. The harbor and marinas
provide access to boating, kayaking, and sport fishing. Parks line the lakeshore and provide a
greenway along the Root River, offering many opportunities for strolls and enjoying the City’s
natural amenities. The Root River provides yet another venue for fishing and kayaking,
complete with a Class III rapids located down river from Quarry Lake Park. The Root River
Parkway Plan presents prospects for hiking, walking, jogging, cross-country ski trails and bicycle
trails.
THE COMMUNITY CONT’D
Racine has a rich tradition of civic engagement. A 2003 recipient of the National Civic League’s All-America City award, Racine
and the Greater Racine Area were recognized for their work on three programs: an intergovernmental cooperation agreement that
provided the City with funds from outlying communities to redevelop deteriorated areas of the City and to provide funding in
accordance with a use-based formula for various public improvements; the West Sixth Street revitalization effort to rebuild City
houses, and the Youth as Resources program which provided grants to youth-designed and youth-led community projects.
Racine’s residents enjoy a thriving community life filled with ethnic festivals and events and many local cultural attractions. The
City annually hosts the Spirit of Racine triathlon and professional beach volleyball events. Racine was named the Corona Light EVP
Pro Beach Volleyball Host City of the Year for three consecutive years. Racine's North Beach has earned the national Clean
Beaches Council “Blue Wave Beach” certification for water quality and habitat conservation for five years in a row. Plus, you can’t
find kringle anywhere like you can in Racine.
Cultural attractions include the Racine Art Museum and the
recently opened Racine Heritage Museum. The Racine
Theatre Guild, the Racine Symphony, the Choral Arts
Society, and the Wustum Museum of Fine Arts provide an
ever-changing array of cultural offerings. Area residents also
take advantage of the many cultural, sports, and
entertainment opportunities available in Chicago and
Milwaukee.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of City Development is organized in two divisions: Planning and Redevelopment and Housing and Community
Development. A third division, Building Inspections, will be added to the Department to capture the synergy that exists between the
development and inspections functions and create even greater opportunities for cooperation. This transition will occur after the new
Director of City Development is on board. When the transition is complete, the Department is anticipated to have an operating
budget of $1.8 million and a nineteen-member staff.
The Planning and Redevelopment Division anticipates the changing physical needs of the city to support economic development
and the city’s quality of life. It works on a variety of redevelopment projects and studies and administers the city’s 12 active tax
increment districts. This division also handles administration of the city’s development controls to maintain and increase property
values, minimize or eliminate conflicts between neighboring land uses, and to expeditiously and fairly decide issues that come
before the department. Division staff works closely with the City Plan Commission, the Redevelopment Authority, Landmarks
Preservation Commission, and ad hoc committees.
The Housing and Community Development Division is responsible for the management of funds received by the city from the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The City of Racine is a direct entitlement community that receives
approximately $1.7 million annually in Community Development Block Grant funds. It also receives annual funding of
approximately $400,000 under the federal HOME Program and $150,000
under the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). This Division also operates
a revolving loan fund to rehab owner-occupied homes for households
meeting federal income eligibility requirements. The Division works with
the Community Development Committee.
Over the years, the Building Inspections function, which soon will
become part of the Department of City Development, has worked closely
with the Planning and Redevelopment Division to create a shared database
for permitting. Building Inspections is also responsible for the zoning
enforcement and ensuring that properties are in compliance with
conditional permits.
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POSITION
In addition to overall administration, leadership, and
management of the Department of City Development, the
Director of City Development is taking an expanded role in
economic development efforts to attract multi-use developments
and to ensure successful implementation of these projects. The
City Development Director also plays an active role in
overseeing comprehensive planning, zoning administration and
code enforcement, and inspections and administration of
Federal Programs, such as the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships programs.
The position is responsible for policy development, budget
management, and capital improvement programming that
supports community and economic redevelopment. The
position reports to the City Administrator and the Mayor.
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Major duties of the position include but are not limited to:
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Planning, organizing, controlling, integrating and evaluating
the department’s work; developing, implementing and
monitoring long-term plans, goals, and objectives focused
on achieving the City’s mission.

Leading community and economic development initiatives
to revitalize the City, increase its tax base, and create new
jobs.
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Serving as staff to the City Plan Commission,
Redevelopment Authority, and the Community
Development Committee, Secretary to the City Plan
Commission, and as Executive Director and Secretary to the
Redevelopment Authority; performing planning services as
set forth in City ordinances and Wisconsin Statutes.
Advising the Mayor and members of the Common Council
on various matters pertaining to City Development.
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Overseeing the administration of the CDBG, HOME, and
ESG Programs and the City Housing Program; including
applications for federal and state grants-in-aid relating to
redevelopment plans, urban renewal plans, and other
programs.
Developing comprehensive plans and programs for
utilization of land and physical structures of the City, urban
renewal activities, housing, and economic development
program
Collaborating with civic leaders, local authorities and land
planning specialists to devise and recommend arrangements
of land for residential, commercial, industrial, and
community use.
Compiling and analyzing data on economic, social, and
physical factors affecting land use and preparing or
requisitioning graphic or narrative reports on data.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
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Strategic perspective. Has the vision and foresight to identify community and economic development and redevelop
ment opportunities and the persistence and tenacity to bring
them to fruition.
leverage resources and achieve mutual interests
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Business and financial acumen. Has considerable experi- 
ence managing complex operating budgets and development
agreements; ensures that all programs, projects and activities
funded with grant monies are in compliance with applicable
funding conditions.
Management expertise. Adept in managing people, processes and department performance consistent with the demands of a major city; sets clear expectations for the department and fosters an environment that values teamwork, innovation and accountability.
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Collaboration. Works collaboratively with other City de
partments and builds effective relationships with businesses,
developers, and local, regional, state and federal government
officials; looks for opportunities to develop partnerships that
Excellent interpersonal skills. Approachable, establishes
and maintains effective working relationships with a broad
array of individuals; effectively represents the City in a variety of forums and to the general public.
Professional competence. Recognized by colleagues as an
expert and trusted advisor on planning, community and economic development, and redevelopment.
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CANDIDATE PROFILE CONT’D

Effective communicator. Articulate, honest, direct and
respectful; clearly communicates complicated concepts to
promote an understanding of planning and redevelopment
issues and engage others in conversations that build
consensus.

Analytical thinker. Skilled in analyzing, appraising, and
organizing facts dealing with difficult and complex
situations and presenting findings and recommendations in a
clear and logical order in written reports and oral
presentations.

Intergovernmental savvy. Demonstrates a thorough grasp
of intergovernmental processes and decision-making related
to planning, redevelopment, and housing and community
development programs and activities.
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Personal integrity. Understands the political environment
but is not political; has the fortitude to make
recommendations that may be unpopular and the
professional resilience to implement policy directives that
differ from recommended actions.
HIGH PRIORITY ISSUES
Build on the city’s economic development successes. Recent
economic development successes demonstrate that Racine is
transitioning from a predominantly manufacturing economy to a
more diversified economy that includes mixed use developments
and advanced manufacturing. The Director of City Development
will play a major role working closely with City leaders and
economic development agencies, including the Racine County
Economic Development Corporation, to identify and compete for
prospective developments that can increase the City’s tax base
and create jobs.
Manage high profile redevelopment projects. Two high
profile redevelopment projects are underway. The first is
Machinery Row, located in downtown Racine with frontage on
the Root River. It is a mixed use development in a tax increment
district that includes the renovation of existing warehouses and
construction of new buildings as well as infrastructure
improvements and an open space component. A developer has
acquired the property and the project is now in the detailed
design phase. The Director of City Development will be actively
involved in the implementation of the Machinery Row
development. Another high profile redevelopment project that is
taking shape is in Racine’s Uptown area, near S. C. Johnson &
Son and Twin Disk. The Director of City Development will also
be involved in this project. The Uptown redevelopment project
will include mixed use development and housing and require the
creation of a new tax increment district.
Implement a new department structure. The Common
Council has approved plans to assign the building inspections
function in the Department of City Development and to hire a
manager to oversee the Housing and Community Development
Division. Implementation of these changes to the department
structure will not occur until the new Director of City
Development is on the job.
Oversee the Regency regional mall study. Planning studies
often lead to new redevelopment projects. The City of Racine is
working with the owners of the Regency Mall, the only enclosed
mall in the City, and two of its anchor stores to study options for
revitalizing the mall and enhancing retail. The Director of City
Development will be participating in this study.
Assess the housing rehabilitation revolving loan fund. The
City of Racine recognizes the importance of maintaining its
existing housing stock. The City has operated a revolving loan
fund that has enabled homeowners who meet federal income
eligibility requirements to undertake home improvements with
low-interest loans. The number of loan applications has been
declining, which raises a policy question of whether grants would
be a more effective vehicle to maintain existing homes. The
Director of City Development will be involved in policy analysis
activities related to this question.
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EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major work in urban planning, public administration, or a closely
related field and a Master's degree in public administration, management, or a closely related field. Ten years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning and community and economic development, of which five years are in a managerial role.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of planning, zoning, community and economic development, redevelopment,
housing, construction and maintenance; familiarity with land economics, urban design, municipal finance and other related subjects
as applied to community and economic development. Thorough knowledge of laws and regulations related to all aspects of municipal and regional planning, community and economic development, housing, and federal and state grants.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary range: $95,782 to $129,303, depending on qualifications. Competitive benefit package and participation in the Wisconsin
Retirement System. Relocation assistance negotiable.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Qualified candidates please submit your cover letter and resume online by visiting our website at https://waterscompany.recruitmenthome.com/. This position is open until filled; however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply
no later than February 19, 2016. Following this date, applications will be screened against criteria outlined in this brochure. On-site
interviews will be offered to those candidates named as finalists, with reference checks, background records checks, including credit
history, and academic and employment verifications conducted after receiving candidates’ permission. For more information please
contact Sharon Klumpp at [email protected] or by calling 651.223.3053.
For additional information, visit the City of Racine’s web site, www.cityofracine.org.
The City of Racine, Wisconsin, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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