Culver partners with national experts to strengthen downtown and lakefront corridors

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 12:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Culver Redevelopment Commission has officially partnered with Retail Strategies to spearhead a new revitalization plan aimed at boosting the economic vitality of the town's two primary commercial hubs.

Downtown Strategies, a specialized division of Retail Strategies, will manage the project and focus on enhancing the connection between the commercial corridors along Main Street and Lake Shore Drive. By analyzing community data and identifying growth opportunities, the initiative seeks to create a more cohesive and vibrant experience for residents and visitors traveling between the downtown core and the lakefront.

"We selected Retail Strategies because of their unique background as practitioners themselves," said Culver Town Manager Kevin Danti. "Their track record of providing guidance to hundreds of communities with similar goals gave us confidence that they understand not just the theory, but the real-world challenges and opportunities we face."

A key component of the strategy involves an upcoming in-market workshop. This event will allow the Downtown Strategies team to gather direct input from local stakeholders, ensuring that the final plan aligns with Culver’s unique local identity and long-term vision.

The team will offer expertise in several specialized areas, including Market Positioning by refining Culver’s brand and appealing to visitors, Business Mix Optimization by identifying the best types of businesses to support the local economy, and the Downtown Activation by creating more reasons for people to spend time in the commercial districts.