When Midwest boating enthusiasts head to their favorite lake fora weekend, they often spend hours of getaway time driving to theirdestination.
Developers of Gaslight Pointe in Racine, Wis., say boaters fromChicago and Milwaukee are being attracted to the $70 milliondevelopment because it is midway between the two cities. The projectconsists of 20 luxury town houses, 104 condominiums and 125 boatslips for rental and sale.
Condominiums are priced from $99,000 to $159,900, and townhouses range from $259,900 to $399,000. (Prices were provided by thebuilder and are subject to change without notice.)
Seven town houses and 10 condominiums have been sold, accordingto James C. Mastandrea of Syndesis Development Corp.
Plans also call for construction of 100,000 square feet ofretail space, a 200-room hotel and 10,000-square-foot health andfitness center.
Racine's recently completed 110-acre recreational harbor-marina,along with several smaller and medium-sized marinas, accommodatesfishermen, sailing enthusiasts and pleasure boaters alike.
Sport fishing begins in late April and sometimes continues aslate as mid-October.
Salmon-A-Rama, Racine's annual fishing contest, drawsparticipants from around the country.
Every Wednesday night, the Racine Yacht Club holds handicapclass racing, and in August the Racine on the Lake Sailing Regattaattracts entrants from around the country.
Other facets of the city include Racine's colorful new lakefrontpark with a 29,000-square-foot Festival Hall designed for conventionsand community events.
Racine also has the longest sand beach on Lake Michigan, and the108-year-old Wind Point Lighthouse draws painters and photographersfrom all areas of the country. It is believed to be the oldest andtallest (112 feet) lighthouse on the Great Lakes.
'Racine is the best-kept secret in the Midwest,' Mastandreasaid. 'The market for mixed-use harbor development with recreationalhousing provides a strong opportunity for the future.'
'There is a growing demand for housing in this area,' he said.'Chicago is 1 1/2 hours from Racine, and Milwaukee is only 40 minutesaway. Racine is an ideal location for recreational, as well aspermanent, housing.'
The three-story condo buildings at Gaslight Pointe will haveelevators. Condominiums with from one to three bedrooms are beingbuilt in 11 floor plans ranging in size from 952 to 1,380 squarefeet.
Three two-story town-house plans are available, all with threebedrooms and two baths. The town houses range from 2,192 to 2,977square feet.
