MIKE MOORE: Touring graveyard of lost concepts

By MIKE MOORE
Journal Times

Friday, January 18, 2008 11:46 PM CST

Another big idea bites the dust. Pointe Blue, the lakefront development project, crashed this week before Racinians had time to really get to know it.

Around here, we’ve grown used to watching officials hype projects to epic proportions, only to drive them to the desert and leave them for dead later on. But, hey, a project that’s gone doesn’t have to be forgotten.

Nonexistent attractions can’t lure out-of-towners. Big deal. We could still wow ’em with what could’ve been.

If Sergeant Pepper doesn’t mind, we’d call it the Magical Missed Opportunity Tour. Picture the trolley rolling through the streets, pointing out not-quite-realized sights as visitors listen to the narration:

Looking to live in a more colorful community? Come on over to Pointe Blue!

Whatever the size of your budget, you’re sure to find the right one among the more than 400 condos and 90 apartments available. Even if you call somewhere else home, you won’t find a better backdrop for your daily walk or ride than the Root River and Lake Michigan on the public trail.

Leave the memories of the long commute behind. With a healthy selection of restaurants and stores on site, you won’t have to wander far to eat or shop.

The surrounding area offers plenty to do for families. Challenge your children’s imagination by spending a day at the Imaginarium in the historic Zahn’s Building, constructed with the help of kids who rounded up pennies. They’ll have so much fun with the hands-on exhibits, they won’t know they’re learning as they walk through musical mazes and explore nation-themed rooms.

Take a stroll through local history at the greatly expanded Racine Heritage Museum on Sixth Street. Indoor and outdoor exhibits transport you back to the area’s shipbuilding and agricultural roots.

Worried all of the great restaurants will leave you unpleasantly plump? Join the new state-of-the-art YMCA in Mount Pleasant, along Highway H. Leave the kids in the indoor water park while you take a class in the aerobics studio or test your agility on the climbing wall.

When the temperature drops, beat the winter blues by skating over to the indoor ice rink at Pritchard Park. Watch the little ones lace ’em up in pee-wee hockey leagues or soak in an exhibition by the pro skaters.

Need to get out of town for a few days? No problem. Hop on the high-speed ferry that stops daily in the Racine harbor. Ride to Michigan in comfort in less than two hours, or to Navy Pier in Chicago.

That concludes the Magical Missed Opportunity Tour! As a token of our gratitude, every rider will receive a free coupon book full of savings at each of the imaginary attractions you just saw. Hopefully, our qualified guides answered all of your questions, but if not, feel free to call our toll-free line at (800) U-COULDA.

Mike Moore’s local news column runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at (262) 631-1724 or

mike.moore@lee.net

Special Offer: Get 5 Weeks of the Journal Times for $7!


RACINE HERITAGE MUSEUM: Underground Railroad exhibit to open at museum		Glad You Asked: Why is one side of the “V” longer when you see geese flying in formation?