Rome, a small town located in central Wisconsin, is at a crossroads in its growth. In the last decade the population grew by over 11%, and the Town is projected to continue to grow. The 230-acre Rome Town Center was identified as an underutilized asset and an opportunity for a civic center with residential, commercial, institutional, and recreational uses.

In 2025, Cardo was hired to create a 25-year vision for the Town Center, with a focus on visualizing the policies and recommendations established in earlier plans for the area. Cardo designed a walkable, vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood with a range of housing options. There was a strong community desire to include housing alternatives not commonly found in the region, such as cottage courts, duplexes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings. Every residential unit is located within a 3-minute walk of an open space, creating a high quality of life for future residents.

Cardo worked with the community, existing business owners, Town officials, developers, and other stakeholders to build consensus around this plan. The vision also outlined immediate steps that could move the plan forward.