A Message from the Mayor

Dear Racine Residents,

Across Racine, we continue to build momentum on the issues that matter most—health, safety, infrastructure, financial empowerment, and opportunity.

In this issue, you'll find updates on essential work by our Department of Public Works and Fire Department to maintain the integrity of our downtown bridges.

You’ll also see how City programs like Bus2BankingRacine.com and the Wisconsin Well Woman Program are connecting residents to safe banking options and critical health screenings.

We’re proud to invest in stronger neighborhoods, too. I invite you to join us at the open house for Racine’s newest COP House on Main Street—an exciting partnership with SC Johnson that’s helping build trust, public safety, and lasting community ties.

Thank you for staying engaged and informed. Together, we’re continuing to shape a stronger Racine.

— Mayor Cory Mason

In this issue:

Bridge Washdown
Racine's New COP House
Pearl Street Facility Entrance Change
Community Health & Wellness Fair
Wisconsin Well Woman Program
Bus2BankingRacine.com
Plus, a look at recent community events!

Bridge Washdowns Scheduled

The Department of Public Works, in coordination with the Racine Fire Department, will conduct its annual spring bridge washdowns this week to remove debris and salt buildup that can affect bridge function and cause corrosion.

Schedule:

State Street Bridge: Tuesday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to Noon

Main Street Bridge: Wednesday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to Noon

Detours will be posted—please plan ahead for alternate routes. This essential maintenance helps preserve bridge safety and structure.

You're Invited: Open House at Racine’s Newest COP House

Join the Racine Police Department for an open house at the City’s newest Community Oriented Policing (COP) House, located at 434 Main Street, on Wednesday, April 30, from 1–3 p.m. COP Houses strengthen neighborhood relationships and public safety by embedding officers directly within the community.

This new location is made possible through generous support from SC Johnson, A Family Company—makers of trusted brands like Windex, Ziploc, and Glade. Thank you, SC Johnson!

Pearl Street Entrance Change

As the City begins construction on the municipal fuel depot, access to the Pearl Street Facility for yard waste drop-off will temporarily change to accommodate the project.

Effective Wednesday, April 30, the entrance to the yard waste drop-off site will move to the west side of Racine Street, between 8th and 9th Streets. This access change is expected to remain in place through early June, pending construction progress and weather conditions.

Regular operating hours for the Pearl Street Facility will remain unchanged during this period.

For Your Health and Wellbeing

Community Health & Wellness Fair

Join us on May 8 for our FIRST Community Health & Wellness Fair at the Dr. John Bryant Community Center!

The event is FREE to attend and will be from 4:00pm to 7:00 pm. Come join us for raffle prizes, fun, children’s entertainment and food trucks!

Learn more by visiting the PRCS Facebook page.

Wisconsin Well Woman Program

The Racine Health Department offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings through the Wisconsin Well Woman Program (WWWP) for women with little or no health insurance. Eligible high-risk women in Racine and Suburban Milwaukee Counties can receive mammograms and Pap tests at no cost.

Learn more and check eligibility at cityofracine.org/WWWP.

Ride Smarter: Connect Transit to Trusted Banking with New Website

To make riding the bus and managing finances easier for residents, the City of Racine has launched Bus2BankingRacine.com in partnership with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. This new website connects transit users to trusted local financial institutions and encourages the use of safe, affordable bank accounts, especially those certified under the national Bank On initiative.

By linking a bank account to the WisGo app, riders can enjoy contactless fare payment, real-time tracking, and route planning, all while gaining access to secure, low-cost banking options. Cash and physical fare cards remain available for all RYDE Racine services. Learn more!

Out and About

Community Skating Event

Our Department of Community Safety had a great time with Byrd Avenue residents on Tuesday, April 22, at their Skate Towards a Safer Community event at Star Roller Rink.

We’re “on a roll” when it comes to creating a safer Racine for everyone, and we hope you enjoyed getting to know your neighbors.

The goal of the event was to bring together a local neighborhood that has been plagued by gun violence for a safe, family-friendly event that fostered connections both among residents and with violence prevention workers from the City, County, and community-based organizations. This approach directly responds to a key takeaway from last year’s community conversations: the need for more activities for youth and families as a proven strategy for preventing violence.

Want to stay connected with the Community Safety Department? Sign up for our newsletter or reach out to them via email with questions.

Arbor Day Celebration at Island Park

The City of Racine’s Forestry Department hosted a successful Arbor Day celebration today at Island Park, with students from Walden III School’s Environmental Club joining to help plant new trees. Mayor Mason attended the event to read the official Arbor Day Proclamation and show support for the City’s ongoing efforts to grow and protect Racine’s urban forest.

Racine is proud to be recognized as a Tree City USA community — a designation that reflects our commitment to growing and maintaining a healthy urban forest. Trees improve air quality, moderate temperatures, prevent soil erosion, support wildlife, and enhance the beauty and vitality of our neighborhoods.

Thanks to the efforts of our Forestry team, student volunteers, and community leaders, Racine continues to invest in a greener, healthier future for all.

Fratt Celebrates Groundbreaking

Mayor Cory Mason joined students, staff, and community members to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fratt Elementary School’s exciting renovation and expansion project.

Thanks to strong community support for the Racine Unified School District Referendum, the project will bring major upgrades to the school—including modernized classrooms, a brand-new gymnasium, a STEAM lab, a redesigned library, and enhanced safety and security features.

The improvements reflect a shared commitment to providing high-quality, future-ready learning environments for Racine’s students.

Teaching Kids to be Money Smart

This month, third grade students at Julian Thomas and Mitchell Elementary Schools participated in a fun and practical financial education program led by the Racine Financial Empowerment Center. Students learned about budgeting, saving, spending wisely, and distinguishing between needs and wants. The program will also be presented to Knapp Elementary School students in May.

Special thanks to our partners — the Hispanic Roundtable of Racine, Johnson Financial Group, North Shore Bank, Marine Credit Union, Educators Credit Union, and Landmark Credit Union — for helping empower Racine youth with real-world money skills!

Thank you for staying connected with us. We look forward to keeping you updated with the latest from City Hall and beyond.

cityofracine.org