Mar. 9, 2026 9:30p
(WGTD)---Racine Mayor Cory Mason says he believes environmental concerns that have been expressed over a city golf course renovation project can be satisfactorily addressed.
Mason spoke after a nearly three hour-long closed door city council meeting that was called to receive details of a proposal from a private developer. The discussion also included financial terms.
The nine-hole Shoop Golf Course--located north of the city--is actually within the boundaries of the Village of Wind Point and will require village plan commission approval to proceed along with various city approvals.
The Keiser Golf Group and the Leipold Johnson Golf Group are proposing a $10 million project to create, in their words, "an unforgettable golf experience in a restored natural environment...a golfing journey through sandy dunescape, forest and native grass prairie, starting and finishing on the Lake Michigan shoreline."
The presentation is expected to be posted on the city's website later Tuesday.
The developers have hired an ecologist to guide the restoration of sand dunes, wetlands and prairie. Mason was comfortable with what he saw. "It does seem to come with some real stewardship," he said of the proposal. "We're going to continue to negotiate and put the public's best interests in mind when we do that," Mason said. "What we got tonight was really good information for the council to begin to understand the proposal," he said.
The project includes laying stone to protect a half-mile of Lake Michigan shoreline and the construction of a new clubhouse.
Yet to be accomplished is additional analysis by city forestry and engineering staff, and the hammering out of a lease arrangement between the city and the developers.
Additional committee and commission work is expected to unfold in both the city and village.
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