ELLSWORTH — East End’s future has long been discussed by Ellsworth village representatives, business owners and community owners, but now, a plan for the area’s redevelopment has entered the ring.

“The East End is one of the oldest commercial areas in Ellsworth, and while it has served the community well for decades, it’s clear the area is overdue for reinvestment,” Village President Becky Beissel stated. “Redevelopment allows us to modernize infrastructure, improve the appearance and function of the corridor, and attract new businesses and housing opportunities. It’s about honoring the area’s history while preparing it for future success. A stronger East End benefits the entire community—economically, visually, and socially.”

A June 19 Community Development Authority meeting saw Emily Herold of MSA present a project introduction. According to the presentation, state law allows villages to create redevelopment plans within their boundaries.

“Condition or usefulness of the area with blight may pose a threat to the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of residents,” statutes state. “Private investments may, on their own, be insufficient to eliminate or prevent blighted conditions and it may be necessary for communities to expend public funds to address such conditions.”

Blighted properties are properties that have experienced physical decline, unsafe or unhealthy conditions, obsolete or faulty design, legal or financial issues and have a negative community impact.

“Blight affects more than just a property’s immediate neighbors—it influences perceptions of the entire community. When we address vacant or deteriorating buildings, we create opportunities for new businesses, housing, and civic spaces,” Beissel stated. “It raises property values, increases our tax base, and sends a message that Ellsworth is a community that takes pride in its appearance and future. Redevelopment helps make Ellsworth a place where people want to live, work, and invest—benefitting everyone, not just those in the East End.”

Ahead of the July 14 CDA meeting, the village plans to undergo blight evaluations throughout East End, which will be discussed at the meeting.

Within the project, village representatives will have the option to decide on potential projects, including streetscaping, building façade improvements and park improvements.
YB Urban? Aroma Bar Owner Angie Whelan said from her experience running a business on Broadway Street, the area has a lot of potential, but changes need to be made.

“I think it’s got a lot of potential. If we can pull in the right kind of businesses; businesses like ours, like Brush Strokes, like Country Fit, where we’re providing services that local people will use,” Whelan said. “It’s so convenient to have an art store in town. A lot of small towns don’t have that. Or like a bath and body store, these are products people are using every single day. How great is it that they can come and get them right here in town.”

Whelan added that it’s not just the businesses that make consumers gravitate to an area.

“I believe that the cheese curd factory provides a really nice anchor for this part of town,” Whelan said. “If we really focus on creating a space where people want to walk around, where they want to explore more than what’s here, because right now nobody walks down my street. Everybody who comes to my shop is coming here very, very intentionally.”

The hope from Whelan is that a vibrant, dynamic and beautiful area is developed to encourage people to check it out. In return, the success of current businesses would entice new businesses to set up shop around East End.

Whelan said Broz provides a food stop in the area, but a fully developed East End could support multiple restaurants.

“There are ways to mix up businesses and build downtowns really intentionally so that all the businesses really can work off of each other,” Whelan said. “I feel like that’s what we’re doing now. My clientele is also the clientele of Country Fit and Brush Strokes. We share a lot of common customers.”

While the YB Urban? owner was not directly involved in making the plan, Whelan intentionally chose Broadway Street for the business over other locations for the chance to be a part of the revitalization. Items Whelan wants to see in the plan is two-way traffic on Broadway Street and the building next to theirs being taken down due to degradation.

Addressing concerns about potential costs to taxpayers, Whelan said the property blight is part of the reason why residents’ taxes are seeing an increase.

“There’s a lot of people who are concerned about the cost of a lot of things, especially when it comes to redevelopment, but I think a lot of people don’t understand the financial impact of having a depressed downtown,” Whelan said. “We bought this building on a land contract six years ago, and we have watched our taxes decline year over year while our residents are watching their taxes go up year over year. The reason for that is that we have blight down here, and the reason for it is that these properties just aren’t worth a lot.”

“I’m probably the only person who’s like please let my taxes go up,” Whelan said.

When a downtown is thriving, Whelan said the upgrades to parks and public areas get supplemented by the businesses, leaving taxpayers a smaller share of the load.

“It’s kind of a long game. It’s something we have to be patient about. It’s something that we have to make the initial investment, but if we do it well, and if the community supports it, it will be a very large payoff into the future,” Whelan said. “The other part of it is what are we doing right now that’s going to serve this community in 20 years, that’s going to make our kids who go off to college or go off to a city, want to come back and raise their family here.”

The timeline of the project was laid out at the CDA meeting. Ahead of the July CDA meeting, site inventory and blight determinations will be done. The July CDA meeting will focus on goals and objectives as well as improvements to the plan. During the Aug. 21 CDA meeting, there will be a review of the draft plan with recommendations for adoption. If the CDA forwards the plan at the August meeting, it would go to the Plan Commission on Sept. 15, who then could send it to the Village Board on Oct. 5.

“This is a smart and strategic time to act. We’re already planning a major infrastructure project in 2026 that includes the full reconstruction of Morse, Wall, and Broadway streets,” Beissel stated. “That work gives us a unique opportunity to align public investment below ground with thoughtful improvements above ground. We also have the benefit of grant funding to support the street work and a strong planning foundation through our Comprehensive Plan, Strategic Plan, and Complete Outdoor Recreation Plan. It’s the perfect moment to look beyond basic repairs and think big about what the East End can become.”

Beissel encouraged anyone who has something to say about the project, whether it be a concern, a question, an idea or anything else, to attend these meetings and speak.

“This isn’t just a facelift—it’s a long-term investment in Ellsworth’s vitality. The village is committed to making smart, sustainable choices that support our residents and businesses today while laying a strong foundation for future generations,” Beissel stated. “We’re excited to invite the community into this process and work together to shape what’s next for the East End.”