Resource Library

Eau Claire, WI Development Documents & Resources

Understanding where Eau Claire is headed starts with looking at the work already underway. This library brings together the research, planning documents, maps, and community resources that help shape future development and investment, providing a clearer view of the opportunities and priorities influencing the cityโ€™s next chapter.

JUMP TO CATEGORY

Don’t see the resource you need or notice a broken link? Contact the Economic Development Division to request updates โ†’

Community & Economic Data

Use current data and market information to better understand Eau Claireโ€™s population, workforce, housing, spending patterns, industries, and overall economic environment.

Community Prospectus
The Economic Development Division’s comprehensive overview of Eau Claire’s economy, workforce, infrastructure, industries, quality of life, and investment environment

Population Data
Current population, demographic characteristics, household composition, age distribution, and growth trends

Workforce Data
Labor force characteristics, occupations, employment, commuting, and workforce trends

UWโ€“Eau Claire First Destination Report
Annual career outcomes for UWโ€“Eau Claire graduates, including employment, continuing education, starting salaries, industries, and post-graduation locations

Chippewa Valley Technical College Graduate Follow-Up Report
Employment, wage, continuing-education, and career outcomes for Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates across its academic programs

Chippewa Valley Student Survey
Survey results from the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce examining what UWโ€“Eau Claire and CVTC students value in a community and the factors influencing where they choose to live and work after graduation

Housing Data
Housing supply, occupancy, tenure, values, rents, and other local housing-market indicators

Income & Spending Data
Household income, consumer spending, purchasing power, and related market indicators that help illustrate local demand

Major Employers Report
Eau Claire’s major industries, employers, concentrations, and economic strengths

Growth Sectors Report
Industries and sectors positioned for continued growth and investment

Annual Development Report
Annual summaries of development activity, approvals, construction, and growth trends in Eau Claire

Annual Assessment Report
Annual information on assessed property values and the City’s property tax base

Eau Claire County Economic Snapshot
A Lightcast-based snapshot of employment, industries, occupations, demographics, and economic conditions in Eau Claire County

Eau Claire County Community Health Assessment
A regional assessment of community conditions and priorities, including housing, childcare, behavioral health, substance use, and other quality-of-life factors

Census Report
The City’s detailed analysis of 2020 Census population, housing, race, income, employment, and demographic change

Economic Development & Public Investment Information

Find plans, reports, financing resources, and district information that explain how Eau Claire supports business growth, redevelopment, and public and private investment.

PLANS & GUIDES

City of Eau Claire Strategic Plan
The Cityโ€™s overarching strategic framework identifying long-term priorities, community values, organizational goals, and areas of focus guiding City programs, services, and investment decisions

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
The regional comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for west central Wisconsin, including economic conditions, opportunities, priorities, and implementation strategies

Visit Eau Claire Annual Marketing & Work Plan
Visit Eau Claireโ€™s annual roadmap for destination marketing, tourism development, partnerships, visitor growth, and key strategic initiatives

City Business Loan Programs
Current loan program guidelines, eligibility information, applications, and financing resources offered through the Economic Development Division

Developer Incentives
Current City and partner financing tools, development incentives, and assistance resources available for eligible projects

Tax Increment Financing Guide
An overview of how tax increment financing works and the types of public improvements and redevelopment activity it can support

Tax Incremental District Plans
The maintained collection of project plans and amendments for Eau Claire’s active tax incremental districts

Opportunity Zones
Information about Eau Claire’s federally designated Opportunity Zones and related investment and site-selection context

Business Improvement Districts
Maps, operating plans, governance information, and district resources for Eau Claire’s business improvement districts

REPORTS

Loan Program Insights Report
A 35-year analysis of City economic development lending, business investment, leverage, and program outcomes

Annual TID Reports
Annual financial and performance reporting for Eau Claire’s tax incremental districts

Visit Eau Claire Reports
Monthly and annual organizational reports documenting tourism performance, destination-development initiatives, marketing activity, partnerships, and progress toward Visit Eau Claireโ€™s priorities

Development & Site Information

Find the technical information, development requirements, maps, and planning resources needed to evaluate a site and move a project forward in Eau Claire.

City of Eau Claire Comprehensive Plan
The City’s long-range policy framework for land use, housing, transportation, economic development, public facilities, sustainability, and community growth

Eau Claire County Comprehensive Plan
The County’s long-range policy framework for land use, housing, transportation, economic development, public facilities, sustainability, and community growth

Parcel Map
Interactive GIS and property information for parcels, zoning, infrastructure, ownership, and development conditions

Infrastructure Report
A high-level profile of Eau Claire’s transportation, utilities, telecommunications, and development-supporting infrastructure

Land Development Ordinance
The City’s current requirements for land use, zoning, site improvements, subdivisions, building placement, parking, landscaping, and related development standards

Planning Applications, Checklists, & Fee Schedules
The City’s maintained collection of development application instructions, checklists, floodplain materials, lighting requirements, deadlines, and fee schedules

Storm Water Drainage & Plan
City stormwater requirements, drainage information, flood-related considerations, and regulatory resources affecting development

Water Quality & Consumer Confidence Resources
Annual drinking-water quality and utility information maintained by the City of Eau Claire Utilities Division

Brownfields Assessment Grant Information
The City’s interactive brownfield assessment and redevelopment resource documenting sites, EPA assessment work, community engagement, and brownfield opportunities

Historic Preservation Resources
Information about Eau Claire’s historic districts, properties, preservation resources, and historic areas

Redevelopment & Area Plans

Explore the plans, studies, supporting documents, and historical resources guiding reinvestment and redevelopment throughout Eau Claire.

CURRENT REDEVELOPMENT PLANS

Core Reinvestment District Redevelopment Plan
The adopted redevelopment plan for the Core Reinvestment District, including focus areas, redevelopment priorities, implementation strategies, and opportunities for reinvestment across the district

Riverbend District Redevelopment Plan
The adopted redevelopment plan for the Riverbend District, outlining redevelopment goals, priority areas, implementation strategies, and opportunities for future public and private investment

Cannery District Redevelopment Plan
The adopted redevelopment plan for the Cannery District, including district goals, redevelopment priorities, public improvements, and long-term opportunities for reinvestment

North Barstow Redevelopment Plan
The adopted redevelopment plan for the North Barstow District, including development goals, site opportunities, public improvements, and strategies for continued downtown reinvestment

CURRENT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT MAPS

Redevelopment District Map
A citywide map and overview of Eau Claire’s redevelopment districts and the role of each district’s adopted redevelopment plan

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS

East Side Hill Neighborhood Plan
A neighborhood plan documenting community goals, land-use considerations, transportation, housing, and neighborhood priorities for the East Side Hill area

Historic Randall Park Neighborhood Plan
A neighborhood plan documenting land-use, housing, transportation, preservation, and neighborhood priorities for Historic Randall Park

North River Fronts Neighborhood Plan
A neighborhood plan addressing land use, riverfront conditions, connectivity, and redevelopment considerations in the North River Fronts area

North Side Hill Neighborhood Plan
A neighborhood plan documenting land-use, housing, transportation, and community priorities for the North Side Hill area

Shawtown Neighborhood Plan
A neighborhood plan documenting land-use, housing, transportation, and community priorities for the Shawtown area

Third Ward Neighborhood Plan
A neighborhood plan addressing land use, housing, transportation, historic character, and development priorities within the Third Ward

Water Street Commercial District Plan
An area plan addressing land use, circulation, redevelopment, public space, and district priorities along the Water Street corridor

RELATED PLANS & DOCUMENTS

Future Land Use Map
The Comprehensive Plan map identifying the City’s intended long-term land use pattern and areas planned for future growth and redevelopment

Parcel Map
Mapping resources for parcels, zoning, utilities, transportation, environmental conditions, and other information relevant to site evaluation and project planning

Riverwalk District Feasibility Study โ€” Scope of Work
The Redevelopment Authority’s approved scope of work for the Riverwalk District Feasibility Study, including the study area, community engagement, market and existing-conditions analysis, concept development, and implementation planning to be completed through the study

State of Wisconsin Downtowns Trends Report
A statewide benchmarking report examining economic, housing, demographic, vibrancy, and resilience trends in Wisconsin downtowns, including Eau Claire

Redevelopment Project Submission Requirements
A summary of the plans, drawings, applications, and supporting materials commonly required for development project review

Coming Soon โ€บ

Housing Studies & Reports

Review housing studies, affordability analyses, development trends, and planning resources that provide a clearer picture of Eau Claireโ€™s housing market and community needs.

Eau Claire Regional Housing Study
A countywide housing-market analysis covering market conditions, housing needs, issues, opportunities, and recommendations

Housing Affordability Analysis
An annual City analysis of residential development activity, approved housing units, undeveloped residential land, and parcels suitable for housing

New Housing Fee Report
An annual report on City fees and other requirements affecting residential construction, remodeling, and development

Chippewa Valley Housing Recommendations Report
The full list of regional recommendations developed through the Chippewa Valley Housing Task Force

Housing Our Neighbors Community Strategy
A countywide strategy addressing homelessness and housing stability through coordinated services, shared data, outreach, prevention, affordable housing, and community engagement

Chippewa Valley Housing Task Force Summary of Recommendations
A summary of regional housing challenges and recommendations identified through the Chippewa Valley Housing Task Force

CDBG & HOME Plans & Resources
The City’s HUD-funded community development documents, including the Consolidated Plan, annual action plans, program policies, funding information, and organizational resources

Housing Authority Plans & Reports
The Eau Claire Housing Authority’s five-year plan and annual reporting, including the current 2025โ€“2029 planning period

Transportation & Infrastructure Plans

Review the plans and studies shaping Eau Claireโ€™s transportation networks, parking, transit, utilities, infrastructure investments, and regional connectivity.

Chippewaโ€“Eau Claire Long Range Transportation Plan
The metropolitan area’s long-range transportation planning framework for regional mobility, infrastructure investment, and system needs

Transportation System Plan
The City’s broader transportation planning document addressing roadway systems, mobility, circulation, and long-range transportation needs

Eau Claire County Safety Action Plan
A countywide transportation safety plan identifying strategies and priority actions to reduce fatal and serious-injury crashes on the county roadway system

Transit Development Plan
The City’s planning resource for Eau Claire Transit service, routes, operations, capital needs, and future system development

Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan
The City’s long-range plan for bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, safety, facilities, and network improvements

Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Supplement Report
Updated analysis and recommendations supplementing the City’s bicycle and pedestrian plan

Safe Routes to Parks Plan
A plan addressing safe walking and bicycling connections to Eau Claire parks

Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee Resources
A maintained collection including regional traffic-safety reporting, Safe Routes to School plans, and bicycle and pedestrian planning resources

Downtown Parking Studies
The City’s current downtown parking analysis covering utilization, projected demand, management, and potential future facilities

Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Master Plan
The airport’s long-range facility, land-use, environmental, financial, and development plan

Airport Zoning & Land Use Information
Airport-related zoning and land-use requirements affecting surrounding property and development

Chippewa Fallsโ€“Eau Claire Urban Sewer Service Area Plan
Regional sewer-service planning governing where urban sewer extensions and associated development can occur

Capital Improvement Plan
The City’s multiyear program for planned streets, utilities, parks, facilities, equipment, and other capital investments

City Construction Project Plans
Current street and infrastructure construction projects, schedules, background information, and project updates

Parks, Waterways, & Sustainability Plans

Dive into the plans, studies, and guidance shaping Eau Claireโ€™s parks, trails, waterways, natural resources, sustainability efforts, and long-term community resilience.

Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
The City’s long-range framework for parks, recreation facilities, trails, capital improvements, and recreation priorities

Western Wisconsin Regional Outdoor Recreation Plan โ€” Urban Area
A regional plan for Eau Claire, Altoona, Chippewa Falls, Lake Hallie, and surrounding urbanized areas focused on parks, trails, waterways, recreation businesses, tourism assets, connectivity, and growth of the outdoor recreation economy

8-County Regional Outdoor Recreation Plan
A regional strategy connecting outdoor recreation assets, communities, tourism, and economic-development opportunities across eight western Wisconsin counties

Carson Park Master Plan
A long-range master plan for land use, recreation, facilities, circulation, and improvements within Carson Park

Eau Claire Trail System Economic Impact Study
An economic-impact analysis of Eau Claire’s paved trail system and public art, including spending, visitation, and community economic effects

Waterways Plan
A comprehensive plan for the Chippewa River, Eau Claire River, Half Moon Lake, and adjoining lands

Half Moon Lake Management Plan
The current management plan for Half Moon Lake, supported by earlier lake studies, surveys, stormwater work, and management reports

Eau Claire County Land & Water Resource Management Plan
The Countyโ€™s framework for protecting and conserving land and water resources, reducing nutrient and sediment impacts, maintaining productive agricultural lands, and preserving important habitats

Sustainability Plan
The City’s sustainability planning framework and sustainability component of the Comprehensive Plan

Eau Claire County Climate Action & Resilience Plans
Countywide and operational strategies addressing energy use, renewable energy, waste reduction, transportation, agriculture, natural resources, emissions, and long-term climate resilience

Renewable Energy Action Plan
The City’s strategy for achieving renewable-energy and carbon-neutrality commitments

Electric Vehicle Roadmap
City planning for electric-vehicle adoption and supporting charging infrastructure

Net Zero Energy Building Guide
Guidance for designing and operating high-performing buildings capable of reaching net-zero energy performance

Solar Ready Guidelines
Guidance for designing buildings and sites to accommodate future solar-energy systems

Eau Claire County Hazard Mitigation Plan
A regional analysis of natural and human-caused hazards, community vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies affecting development and resilience