The ubiquitous phrase ‘Live. Work. Learn. Play” has become the standard by which successful re-developments are measured

The Waterpower District Charitable Foundation was established to support redevelopment activities that include reducing or eliminating blight, increasing the tax base, and encouraging public and private investments to redevelop the Southwest Corridor in the Greater Rockford area. It is the philosophy of the Foundation to keep all interested parties informed concerning the activities of the Foundation and encourage active participation in the development of redevelopment programs benefiting the entire community.

The urban core of the Waterpower District and Rockford’s Southwest corridor was home to the historical manufacturing center of the Rockford region. Today this area features high levels of racial and cultural diversity. It has good access to public roadways for regional transportation while acting as a gateway to the urban downtown Rockford.

Building Community Equity.
Believing in the Creativity of People.
Bestowing Trust in the Vision of the Future.

The model of ‘Live. Work. Learn. Play.,’ combines significant public outreach and consultation with in-depth market research and planning.

  • Major investment in the South Main corridor has created a pleasant arterial thoroughfare that connects the City Center with the southern end of the City and the Rockford Airport.
  • Concentrate on the revitalization efforts and investments in a core geographic area. The breadth of opportunities for revitalizing and improving Rockford is numerous.
  • Celebrate Rockford’s history. The most successful places embrace and embody their history and culture. Rockford’s rich and storied past provides an excellent palette of historical references to be reinforced throughout the revitalization of the City Center.

The potential benefits of the development at the Waterpower District will improve and strengthen our southwest and west side neighborhoods and grow our local economy.

This economic impact will affect downtown retailers, industry, offices, and service providers, not just the immediate area. Still, it will ripple throughout the South Side, Southwest, Westside, and the North Main corridor.

“Intention is one of the most powerful forces there is.
What you mean when you do
a thing will always determine the outcome.”
—Brenna Yovanoff

Significant Infrastructure Improvements

Many significant Investments have been made in the downtown quadrant of the City of Rockford, which makes up, in part, the South to North Main Street Corridor. As a result, the downtown has realized significant infrastructure improvements by the City of Rockford, Winnebago County, and the State of Illinois. In addition, local, regional, and national companies and our communities’ non-profits are situated here

What the Foundation Envisions

The Foundation envisions that the location of the Waterpower District will grow more entertainment events for the BMO Harris Bank Center, Coronado Theater, and Davis Park. With access to restaurants, new retail, new apartments, additional entertainment attractions in and around the South Main Corridor, and the overall River District, the Quadrant will support the existing investments.

“The entrepreneur always searches for change,
responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.”
—Peter F. Drucker, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Get important updates on our work and how you can help.

sign up here

Waterpower District Foundation © 2021. All Rights Reserved

made with ♥ by multimedia marketing group