Shoop Park redevelopment

Lifelong Racinean adjacent to Shoop speaking in favor, saying the pros far outweigh the cons and the declining infrastructure needs the investment.

Asked the council to pause the vote, saying the plan leaves no general park space and too many questions remain open.

As Hoy Audubon Society president, opposed the redevelopment, citing 270+ bird species at Shoop/Wind Point on a major migratory route and the Wisconsin Ornithological Society's letter.

Said the park was donated to the people and should stay for the people; urged restoring the clubhouse without touching the shoreline park land.

Executive director of the Caddie Leadership Academy urged approval, describing how Shoop would train middle-school caddies for the Evans Scholarship pipeline.

Reading for Abigail King, asked the council to delay the vote until the 1917 deed question and DNR/Army Corps permitting are resolved, noting the DNR already denied the wetland determination.

Wind Point resident speaking in favor, saying the underused course has great potential and the Kaiser Group will do it right; urged moving forward.

Asked for a compromise on a living shoreline instead of rock armoring, and for discount fee tiers covering Wind Point residents too.

Spoke in support of the Shoop renovation, citing wetland restoration, shoreline protection, and the Johnson/Leopold families' track record with affordable, high-end public golf.

Fourth-generation Racinean strongly supporting the Shoop proposal, citing $10 million in private investment, avoided city costs, and new tourism revenue.

Opposed the plan, arguing Dr. Shoop donated the land as a public park, trees would be cut, lighthouse green space lost, and calling the $2 million donation a bribe.

Said the bluff will eventually fail in a storm and tourism is Racine's future, urging alders to grit their teeth and vote yes.

Speaking for Hoy Audubon Society, asked the council to press pause and consider a living shoreline instead of a rock revetment to protect migratory bird habitat.

Asked the council to save the older trees for wildlife and keep the name Shoop Park rather than Dunes Park.

Called for a pause on the project, a living shoreline, codified resident golf fees, and keeping the parking lot off the lighthouse grounds, citing the 1917 deed and migratory bird protections.

Argued the dune course doesn't restore the land's historic forested state, permits aren't approved, and the course would likely cost around $128 per round to break even.

Yielded his speaking time to Helen Johnson Leopold.

Defended the project on behalf of her husband Craig Leopold, saying the family is not a for-profit developer, will protect trees and wildlife, and is open to shoreline options.

Urged the council to hold off voting until DNR and Army Corps permits are issued, citing the 1917 Shoop deed requiring a public park and harm to wildlife from tree removal.