Overview

The Southside Revitalization Corporation was a nonprofit community development organization based in Racine, Wisconsin, founded around 1970 (the business was filed with the state on July 2, 1970). It was organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with the IRS EIN 39-1140387, and its primary mission was improving housing conditions in the Southside Historic District and other parts of Racine.

Mission & Activities

SRC’s core mission was to revitalize the Southside Historic District—a 42-block residential neighborhood bordering Lake Michigan just south of downtown Racine, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The district features nearly every Victorian architectural style, from Greek Revival through Prairie School, and is considered one of the richest concentrations of landmark buildings in Wisconsin.

SRC’s key activities included:

• Providing low-interest rehabilitation loans to homeowners for home improvements (such as siding, repairs, etc.)
• Purchasing, rehabilitating, and selling distressed properties
• Building new homes and moving existing homes to vacant lots to revitalize neighborhoods
• Housing development, construction, and management (classified under NTEE code L20)

Impact

SRC was one of three community development organizations (along with the Central City Committee and the West Park Neighborhood Association) that helped spark a significant revitalization wave in the Southside Historic District in the early 1970s, countering fears that the area would become urban blight. The organization is credited with making a lasting positive impact on the city:

• Around 2007–2008, SRC had focused its efforts on the 1100 block of Villa Street, where it built two new homes, moved a third home to a vacant lot, and held several properties.
• Former Racine City Planning Assistant Director Joe Heck noted that “they did a lot of good work, no doubt about it,” and that “the legacy lingers on.”

Decline and Closure

By the mid-2000s, SRC encountered serious difficulties:

• Management issues and a “management lapse” led to costs getting away from the organization (per Brian O’Connell, director of city development).
• The city was SRC’s main creditor, essentially foreclosing on six properties owned by the nonprofit.
• SRC ran out of money and disbanded approximately 8 months prior to May 2008.
• The Wisconsin Secretary of State lists SRC as “Administratively Dissolved.”
• The IRS automatically revoked SRC’s 501(c)(3) exempt status for failure to file required Form 990 returns for three consecutive years.

At the time of closure, the organization reported $0 in assets, income, and revenue.

Addresses

• 840 Lake Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 (per GuideStar/IRS records)
• 716 17th Street, Racine, WI 53403 (later address; registered agent address)

Key People

• Brian Walton — Registered agent on file at the time of dissolution
• Robert Westmoreland — Served as Former President/Vice President of SRC
• Joe Heck — Later Racine City Planning Assistant Director; worked closely with SRC during its operations
• Brian O’Connell — Racine City Development Director; managed the city’s interaction with SRC during its winding-down

Legacy