Communities of every size are facing mounting housing shortages—from overall supply constraints to the lack of affordable options. This session explores practical strategies for expanding housing availability through the experiences of a mid-sized Wisconsin city (La Crosse) and a small Minnesota community (Wabasha). Learn how each community gathers and uses data to demonstrate need, applies a range of financing tools to make projects feasible, and implements planning approaches designed to attract investors, encourage development, and deliver more housing where it’s needed most.

Biographies

Caroline Gregerson has been City Administrator for the City of Wabasha for 5 years. In her role, she manages 37 full-time and part-time employees, staffs the Wabasha Port Authority, oversees all major projects for the City including housing, transportation, child care. Prior to that role, she worked for the City of La Crosse as their Community Development Administrator for 8 years. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Syracuse University Maxwell School.  

Mara Keyes is the Community Development Manager for the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin. She manages federal dollars that support essential services for low-income residents – through nonprofit organizations and by building and preserving affordable housing. Her work bridges the gap between policy, programming and people to make meaningful impact in the community. Prior to her role in La Crosse Mara provided grants and loans to entrepreneurs as part of the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation.  She serves on the YWCA board, is a founding board member of the La Crosse Film Academy and the Rivoli Arts District, and represents the City of La Crosse on the La Crosse Promise Board and the School District’s Early Childhood Steering Committee.

AICP CM credits:Ěý

The post Bridging the Housing Gap: Stories from Two Midwest Communities appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

As data center development expands across Wisconsin and the Midwest, communities are increasingly being approached by developers seeking land, electricity, and water. While these projects can bring significant investment, they also raise complex questions related to zoning, infrastructure capacity, public finance, and environmental impacts.

This session equips planners and local officials with the foundational knowledge needed before a data center proposal arrives—and the critical questions to ask when it does. Speakers will address the wide range of data center types, Wisconsin’s 2023 data center tax exemption, local zoning and policy tools, and lessons from communities across the region. Case examples from Wisconsin, the Midwest, and the country will highlight strategies for managing, attracting, or limiting data center development in alignment with community goals.

Biographies

Allison Carlson is the Executive Director for the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition. She is an energy and sustainability professional, working over 15 years across a variety of roles in market research and evaluation, government regulation and oversight, program planning, and administration. She has a keen eye toward the concerns of commissions, utilities, and local governments, allowing for more informed and actionable solutions. Professional objectives are to foster a just and clean energy economy through supporting equitable policy and effective organizational systems and processes. Allison holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BS in Finance, Economics, and International Business from UW-La Crosse.

Bridget Williams is a policy coordinator at the Great Plains Institute and facilitates the MISO Cities and Communities Coalition, a group of local governments advocating for an electric grid that supports their goals to lower emissions, strengthen resilience, promote equity, and foster economic opportunity.

In this role, Bridget conducts research, tracks regional and federal energy issues, and develops educational materials to assist local governments with engaging grid decision-makers and developing high-impact local energy policies and programs. Bridget recently organized a webinar series to discuss the water and energy impacts of data centers and levers local governments can use to align data centers with local goals. Bridget has a BS in community and regional planning from Iowa State University and lives in Milwaukee, WI.

Kevin Lahner is the City Manager for Janesville, WI, managing strategic planning and employee engagement efforts.  Recent projects include coordinating the planning for a data center and updated City zoning code. Previously he was the City Administrator for the Waukesha, WI, where he managed the daily operations and administered the City’s Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, and Operating Budget. Kevin holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Texas and a BS in Communications-Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

AICP CM credits:

The post Preparing Communities for Data Center Development appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Local events play a powerful role in strengthening city economies, generating activity from day trips to overnight stays. This session highlights how two Wisconsin communities attract visitors, host more than 80 events annually, and measure both economic and community impact.

Visit Eau Claire drives economic growth by expanding travel and tourism through destination marketing, strategic development, and strong community partnerships. Serving a wide range of markets—from convention delegates to sports groups and family leisure travelers—they operate year-round to support downtown businesses through targeted grants and marketing initiatives.

As a Wisconsin Main Street Community, the Downtown Racine Corporation produces more than 80 events each year. Each event is intentionally designed—free or ticketed—to draw visitors in every season with distinctive programming. Using attendance data, staff prepare detailed impact reports that document economic benefits and show where visitors come from.

Biographies

Kenzi Havlicek serves as the Executive Director of Visit Eau Claire, where she leads efforts to showcase and promote the incredible community she calls home. With a passion for highlighting Eau Claire’s vibrant arts, culture, music, and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, she works closely with community partners and alongside the talented Visit Eau Claire team to share the story of the Chippewa Valley.

Her marketing journey began at Iowa State University, where an internship promoting hospitality and tourism ignited her lifelong passion for business and marketing. After graduating, she joined Visit Eau Claire as a Social Media Specialist and, over the past 15 years, has steadily advanced within the organization to her current role as Executive Director.

Kenzi values collaboration and teamwork, believing that the strongest results come from working together to make the community the best it can be. She is actively involved in both the community and the tourism industry, serving on the Pablo Center at the Confluence Council and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Eau Claire Committee. At the state level, she serves on the Destinations Wisconsin Marketing Committee and the Travel Wisconsin Marketing Committee. She also contributes nationally through Destination International’s 30 Under 30 Alumni Committee. Kenzi takes great pride in promoting Eau Claire every day, a place she considers a true gem of arts, culture, and outdoor adventure.

Kelly Kruse is an accomplished creative professional and community leader with an MFA in Graphic Design and a strong passion for urban revitalization and visual storytelling. She serves as the Executive Director of the Downtown Racine Corporation, where she leads transformative programming, public art initiatives, and over 80 annual events that enrich the cultural and economic vitality of the district. In her role, she also manages Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) for both Downtown Racine and Douglas Avenue, helping local businesses thrive and shaping vibrant public spaces.

In addition to her leadership in community development, Kelly is an Assistant Professor at Carthage College, where she inspires the next generation of graphic designers by bridging professional practice with academic insight. Her multidisciplinary background allows her to blend strategic vision with creative innovation, making a lasting impact both in the classroom and throughout the Racine community.

AICP CM credits:

The post Economic Impact of Eco Tourism: Year-round Destinations appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

The Milwaukee Priority One Transportation Initiative is a bold, collaborative effort to improve regional mobility, connect workers to jobs, and ensure equitable access to opportunity across Milwaukee. This initiative prioritizes innovative transit solutions—such as on-demand workforce services, improved public transit connections, and first/last mile strategies—to address the region’s most pressing transportation challenges. 

In this session, you’ll hear how Priority One is bringing together business leaders, transit agencies, local governments, and community partners to create a coordinated approach that strengthens the economy while reducing barriers for residents. Case studies and early outcomes will demonstrate how Milwaukee is redefining transportation as a driver of workforce participation, economic development, and community well-being. 

Biographies

Kevin  Muhs serves as the City Engineer for the City of Milwaukee. As City Engineer, Kevin leads the Infrastructure Services Division of the Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) and is responsible for the design, operation, and maintenance of City-owned streets, lighting and underground conduit, sewers, green infrastructure, bridges, and buildings. At the direction of Mayor Cavalier Johnson and the Milwaukee Common Council, Kevin and his colleagues at Milwaukee DPW are working to transform City streets to provide high-quality public space for residents and serve all users. Kevin is both a planner and engineer, and strongly believes that a robust multimodal transportation system is needed for the Milwaukee area to be economically competitive, resilient, and equitable. 

Dan Adams has been a Transit Specialist with the Milwaukee County Transit System for 2 years. In this role Dan manages MCTS’s 3,700 bus stops, 630 bus shelters, and serves as a liaison to street construction projects. Prior to MCTS, Dan worked for 10 years with two different community development nonprofits in Milwaukee and 3 years with a private real estate and construction company. Dan is a native Milwaukeean with a Masters in Urban Planning from UW-Milwaukee, a proud Milwaukee Public Schools graduate, and lives on the Near West Side with his wife and two daughters. 

AICP-CM credits:Ěý

The post Transit Priority: Improving Public Transit Through Collaboration appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Explore how public marketplaces—from farmers markets to food halls, and many more in between, provide social, economic, and health benefits; they are so much more than just a market.  Learn about the evolving ecosystem of market typologies and their implications for zoning and planning. Dive into a case study of a Milwaukee marketplace as an entrepreneurial incubator and hub for mental and physical wellness for both business owners and customers. Discover how municipal planning and zoning currently considers, and can better support, thriving marketplaces of all shapes and sizes. 

Biographies

Amanda Maria Edmonds is a sustainable food systems consultant and researcher. She is a systems-change, big-vision thinker who translates ideas and values into pragmatic, on-the-ground strategies and policies. Edmonds founded and directed Michigan-based nonprofit Growing Hope for 15 years, improving healthy food access through farmers markets, urban agriculture, youth programs, economic development, and good food policy. Between 2014-2018 she served as the Mayor of Ypsilanti, Michigan. She served under Governor Granholm on the Michigan Food Policy Council, was a founding member of the Washtenaw Food Policy Council, and has been part of the Michigan Good Food Charter leadership group for 15 years. After living in London, UK from 2019-2024, she returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan and continues consulting, focusing on policy, evaluation, & strategy, particularly as related to markets. She is also completing a doctorate in spatial planning at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, researching municipal policy and planning related to farmers markets. She has BS and MS degrees from U-Michigan’s School of Natural Resources & Environment. 

Kelly Verel oversees the Market Cities Program as the Co-Executive Director of Project for Public Spaces, an urban planning and design nonprofit based in New York. She has been with the organization since 2006, managing all projects related to planning, designing, and developing public markets. Kelly and her team have produced feasibility and business plans for the Boston Public Market and NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids, IA. They have worked with the Granville Island Public Market in Vancouver, BC, and the ByWard Market District in Ottawa, ON, to develop revitalization strategies and plans for these historic markets. Kelly directs the organization’s annual How to Create Successful Markets training and the International Public Markets Conference (2009, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2023, and 2025). Before Project for Public Spaces, she was on the administrative team at GrowNYC Greenmarket, New York’s largest farmers market network, and has a seat on their Farmer Community Advisory Committee. 

AICP-CM credits:

The post Marketplaces: Where Food Access, Health, and Economic Impacts Grow appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Creating vibrant and engaging communities helps communities recruit and retain residents, supports public gathering places in the heart of our communities, and fosters community connections. Learn about the WEDC Vibrant Communities grant and how projects create accessible locations for programming and amenities desired by local residents, with the additional benefit of boosting foot traffic for nearby businesses.

In Waupaca, planning efforts led to a series of public and private initiatives designed to foster revitalization of the historic downtown area. Strategic investments by the community resulted in public and private investments that attracted new businesses, increased opportunities for community engagement and generated additional foot traffic throughout the district. In Waupun, targeted efforts to revitalize an underutilized anchor property and adjacent vacant lot spurred additional activity, led to additional community events and supported new entrepreneurial activity in the community. 

Biographies

Errin Welty is the Senior Director of Downtown Development at WEDC, managing the Main Street and Connect Communities programs. She previously worked as a market analyst at Vierbicher, working with public and private sector clients to create market-based solutions to solve economic and planning issues, and as Vice President of Client Services for Grubb & Ellis, managing marketing and research for the firm’s Denver office. Errin has significant planning and real estate experience, having been on staff with downtown organizations in both St. Cloud, MN and Denver, CO, and a founding member of Wheat Ridge 2020, an economic development organization focused on revitalizing one of Denver’s original inner-ring suburbs.

Greg Grohman connects nonprofit, governmental, and educational partners to the critical resources they need to better serve their communities. As a grant writer for the City of Waupaca, he has generated over $11 million for organizations, securing funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the U.S. Department of Justice, the WI Economic Development Corporation, the WI Department of Transportation, the WI Department of Public Instruction, the WI Department of Natural Resources, Bader Philanthropies Inc., and the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.

Katharine Schlieve is the City Administrator and Director of Economic Development for the City of Waupun. She is responsible for providing strategic leadership and working with a diverse set of stakeholders to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies that advance the city’s mission. She developed and implemented a comprehensive economic development strategy for the city including business retention & expansion, business recruitment, redevelopment, planning, and general administration.

AICP-CM credits:ĚýĚý

The post Placemaking in Action: Building Vibrant Communities appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Columbus and Milwaukee are illustrating how innovative transit solutions can strengthen regional connectivity, expand access to opportunity, and serve as models for communities nationwide. 

Since 1992, MobiliSE has championed innovative ways to connect Southeast Wisconsin through a range of transportation alternatives. Learn about their regional strategies and how these efforts led to FlexRide Milwaukee, a groundbreaking on-demand workforce transportation service that has already helped nearly 5,000 people reach jobs in nearby suburbs. 

In Columbus, Ohio, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is reshaping regional mobility with initiatives like bus rapid transit expansion, first/last mile connections, and partnerships with community organizations. These efforts are improving access to employment centers, food markets, and essential services—demonstrating how coordinated transportation planning can drive both economic growth and equity. 

Biographies

Dave Steele serves as the Executive Director of MobiliSE. Under Dave’s leadership, MobiliSE has grown its impact as a convener and advocate, spearheading the development and launch of FlexRide Milwaukee, an on demand workforce transportation service that has helped 5,000 Milwaukeeans access jobs since its launch in 2022. 

Prior to leading MobiliSE, Dave worked in K-12 education reform, serving as President & CEO of PAVE, a school support organization in Milwaukee. He holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelors in Political Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds a certificate from Harvard Business School’s Social Enterprise Insitute, a global network of public and non profit leaders working toward systems change.  

Dave is a Milwaukee native, a regular transit rider, and resides on the West Side of Milwaukee with his wife and three kids. 

Devayani Puranik is the Director Development Programs at the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), where she leads high-impact initiatives that shape the planning, developing, and delivery of innovative mobility solutions- such as COTA’s on-demand service, COTA//Plus. Her work focuses on strategic coordination and change management to improve customer experience and advance transit accessibility through major regional efforts like LinkUS. 

Prior to joining COTA, Puranik served as a Senior Planner for the City of Dublin, where she spearheaded key efforts including the Legacy Office Revitalization Plan, Mobility Study, and the Dublin 2035 Framework. She was also a core member of the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and led numerous cross-functional innovation and process improvement projects. Her earlier work with the City of Columbus involved directing long-range land use planning initiatives to support inclusive, sustainable growth. 

Puranik holds dual master’s degrees in City and Regional Planning and Environmental Science from The Ohio State University and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She brings a systems-thinking approach to her leadership, rooted in equity, efficiency, and public service. 

AICP-CM credits:

The post Mobilizing Regions: Workforce Rideshare and Regional Transit appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Presentation by Mike Amsden, City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works Multimodal Transportation Manager, and James Hannig, Community Planning Manager with Michael Baker International.

Lecture Summary

Both Milwaukee and Detroit have enacted Complete Streets policies and subsequently made significant investments in their street infrastructure. Through both rapid implementation efforts and large capital projects, streets in both cities have been transformed by reconfiguring lanes, installing separated bike lanes, street calming, and more. In this lecture, Mike Amsden and James Hannig will discuss the results and impact of those changes, highlighting successful projects and lessons learned. See the transformations and learn which projects are having the most significant impact and what policies and standards could work in your community.

Biographies

James Hannig is the Community Planning Manager with Michael Baker International, where he works with communities to realize safe, people-focused Complete Streets and public spaces. James previously served as the Deputy Director for Complete Streets with the City of Detroit, where he was responsible for implementing Detroit’s Streets for People vision. James earned a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Marquette University.

Mike Amsden is the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works’ Multimodal Transportation Manager, where he oversees transportation planning, policy, and street design initiatives that help achieve the City’s goals around eliminating reckless driving and creating safe and enjoyable places for people to walk, bike, take transit, and drive. Mike previously worked as the Assistant Director of Transportation Planning for the City of Chicago Department of Transportation. He earned a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

AICP-CM credits will be awarded.
Apr 30 Impact of Complete Streets: AICP CM 

The post Street Smart: Measuring the Impact of Complete Streets appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

“Renewable Energy and Clean Transportation for Sustainable Cities”Ěýpresentation by Jodi Amble, Deputy Director of RENEW Wisconsin, and Ben Behlke, Clean Energy Manager for RENEW Wisconsin.

Lecture Summary

Renew Wisconsin has been advocating for clean energy solutions, working with policymakers, and educating the public since 1991. Renewable projects are happening around the state, from urban to rural infrastructure. Learn about the benefits, ongoing initiatives, and how your community can plan and apply for funding to keep energy dollars in your community while supporting local jobs.

Biographies

Jodi Amble is the Deputy Director of RENEW Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization promoting renewable energy in Wisconsin. With a focus on clean energy solutions, she has been instrumental in cultivating strategic partnerships and advocating for sustainable policy initiatives that benefit communities and the environment. Jodi is also a singer/songwriter with the Jodi Jean Band and Jenny Dragon. Jodi earned a Master’s in Applied Vocal Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Viterbo University.

Ben Behlke is the Clean Energy Manager for RENEW Wisconsin. With a focus on pioneering clean energy solutions, Ben leads the charge in shaping and implementing policies and programs centered around electric transportation and building electrification. Prior to his work at RENEW, he worked with the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum as the Wisconsin Field Director, where he guided guiding rural communities through large-scale renewable energy developments and transmission work. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability and Renewable Energy and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

AICP-CM credits will be awarded. Mar 26 Planning for Renewable Energy: AICP CMĚý

The post Renewable Energy and Clean Transportation for Sustainable Cities appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.

Lecture Summary

Learn how the leaders in Toledo, Ohio, and the Bronzeville District in Milwaukee are engaging local artists and community members to make and install art in the public realm. Through a percent for art program, the Art Commission in Toledo has led the implementation of over 100 public art pieces. The Bronzeville Center for the Arts has engaged youth and local residents to create and install various public art elements as part of their new building within the Bronzeville District. Join us to learn about implementing public art and successful strategies for community engagement.

Biographies

Deshea Agee is the Vice President of Emem Group, where he focuses on project and developer management of the firm’s commercial projects. Deshea was previously the Executive Director of the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District. His expertise includes real estate and economic development, public process design, community outreach and program formulation. Deshea serves on the City of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville Advisory Committee, as well as on the Board of Directors of Employ Milwaukee and Safe and Sound. Deshea earned a Master of Science in Construction Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University.

Nathan Mattimoe is the Art in Public Places Director for The Arts Commission in Toledo, OH, where he has worked as a project manager for nine years. In his role, he administers the City of Toledo’s One Percent for Art ordinance through The Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places program. This includes managing new public art projects and overseeing the maintenance and conservation of the City’s more than 100 public art pieces, with additional focus on public art education and community outreach. Nathan also serves as a board member for the Toledo Design Center. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sculpture from the University of Toledo.

AICP-CM credits will be awarded. Feb 26 Community Engaged Art: AICP CM 

The post Community Engaged Art appeared first on School of Architecture & Urban Planning.