Tale of two downtown renewal plans: Sheboygan pushes BID district; Manitowoc waivers. (business improvement district)(Focus on Business in Sheboygan & Manitowoc)

The sister cities of Sheboygan and Manitowoc have many of the same features - Lake Michigan marinas, a healthy manufacturing base and a 10-year longing to revitalize their downtowns.

They even share the same name for their main downtown street: Eighth Street. But the downtown revitalization efforts are where differences become evident between the two cities. The two midsize cities are relying on different redevelopment plans to bring people back downtown, with differing degrees of success.

Sheboygan mobilized the private sector by making public dollars available to spur the rebuilding of its downtown. The city spent $3.8 million between 1990 and 1994 to leverage $34 million in private investment. The result: rebuilt streets, renovated buildings, residential makeovers and new business start-ups.

Manitowoc's downtown is dense with buildings and moving vehicles.

"We have to figure out more ways to get traffic to stop," said Manitowoc Mayor Kevin Crawford.

Because Manitowoc doesn't have acres of land that can be assembled into fancy, …