Eclipse Park & The Lincoln Academy Expansion

Eclipse Park &
The Lincoln Academy Expansion

Project Information Center

Eclipse Park &
The Lincoln Academy Expansion

Project Information Center

The expansion of The Lincoln Academy (TLA) and future plans for the Eclipse Park area have generated important questions about education, housing and the future of Beloit. This page is designed to provide current project information, explain why housing and education intersect in this specific project, answer community questions and share resources.

We have one shared goal:

More opportunity for Beloit families

At the Hendricks Family Foundation, we believe Beloit’s future depends on strong educational opportunities, strong neighborhoods and a range of quality housing options. In most cases, our housing and education investments operate independently. In this project, however, they intersect because expanding TLA requires additional space around the existing campus.

Project Overview
Education Opportunity
Housing & Education Connection
Housing Opportunity
FAQs
Community Resources
Broader Education and Housing Investments

We recognize that this project raises important questions. This page is designed to share clear information about the expansion, the community needs driving it and the Foundation’s longstanding investments in both educational opportunity and housing opportunity throughout Beloit.

Project Overview

The Lincoln Academy (TLA) is pursuing a phased expansion of its campus at the former Eclipse Center site. Demand from Beloit families continues to exceed the school’s current capacity, and the expansion is designed to serve approximately 1,500 scholars over time.

Most of the expansion will occur on the former Eclipse Center property, including areas previously occupied by commercial uses. Additional adjacent land will support a connected campus with space for academics, career education, student support services, transportation, scholar safety, campus operations and long-term growth.

Current Status

The current phase is scheduled for completion in August 2027. This phase includes 19 lots donated to TLA and the block area between Morse and Spruce streets, which the City of Beloit approved for rezoning in January 2026.

Future growth will depend on the voluntary acquisition of additional properties and applicable rezoning approvals. Vacant homes acquired for future use are being removed, including 11 scheduled for demolition in October 2026. Additional demolition may occur as properties are acquired and plans advance.

Expansion at a Glance:

- 200+ Scholars on the Waitlist and Growing: Demand continues to exceed current capacity.
- Approximately 1,500 Scholars: Long-term enrollment goal through phased growth.
- 4-Star DPI School Report Card Rating: Independent recognition of the school’s strong academic performance.
- 98% Parent Satisfaction: Nearly all surveyed parents say they are glad their child attends The Lincoln Academy.

Current Status

Expansion at a Glance:

200+ Scholars on the Waitlist and Growing: Demand continues to exceed current capacity.
Approximately 1,500 Scholars: Long-term enrollment goal through phased growth.
4-Star DPI School Report Card Rating: Independent recognition of the school’s strong academic performance.
98% Parent Satisfaction: Nearly all surveyed parents say they are glad their child attends The Lincoln Academy.

Education Opportunity

TLA combines rigorous academics, character development and early career exploration. The expansion will create capacity for more Beloit students to access this public-school option and provide additional space for academic and career-connected learning.

2025-2026 TLA Outcomes:

- Academic Growth
  - Nearly two years of reading growth in a single academic year.
  - 1.4 years of math growth in a single academic year.
- College & Career Readiness
  - More than 20,000 work-based learning hours completed by scholars.
  - 414 college credits earned by scholars.
  - Partnerships with more than 200 businesses supporting career exploration and workforce readiness.
- Strong Student Engagement
  - 95.3% student attendance, exceeding the school’s attendance goal.

Serving Beloit Families

TLA is a free public school open to students regardless of income. Enrollment reflects Beloit’s demographics.

- More than 60% of scholars qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
- Approximately 18% receive special education services.
- More than 40% of scholars are Hispanic.

2025-2026 TLA Outcomes:

Academic Growth
- Nearly two years of reading growth in a single academic year.
- 1.4 years of math growth in a single academic year.
College & Career Readiness
- More than 20,000 work-based learning hours completed by scholars.
- 414 college credits earned by scholars.
- Partnerships with more than 200 businesses supporting career exploration and workforce readiness.
Strong Student Engagement
- 95.3% student attendance, exceeding the school’s attendance goal.

Serving Beloit Families

TLA is a free public school open to students regardless of income. Enrollment reflects Beloit’s demographics.

More than 60% of scholars qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Approximately 18% receive special education services.
More than 40% of scholars are Hispanic.

How Housing and Education Connect in this Project

Expanding access to high-quality education opportunities is an investment in Beloit’s future that will shape the community for generations to come.

Housing and education are longstanding Foundation priorities. They intersect here because TLA’s expansion requires additional land adjacent to the existing campus. Multiple expansion alternatives were evaluated before the current plan was selected.

Every property purchase connected to the expansion has been voluntary. No homeowner has been forced to sell. Sellers have received fair and, in some cases, above-market compensation, and support has included moving assistance and help finding another home.

The Foundation continues to invest separately in homeownership, housing rehabilitation, new housing development, neighborhood revitalization, housing stability and targeted transitional housing support across Beloit.

Housing Opportunity Across Beloit

The Foundation has invested in housing opportunity for years because stable housing creates the foundation for family wellbeing, wealth generation, educational success, workforce participation and strong neighborhoods.

While we are not a housing developer, we invest in organizations and initiatives that expand housing opportunity. Our role is often to help launch, scale or strengthen efforts that create more pathways to housing stability and homeownership in Beloit.

Housing Opportunity by the Numbers:

- ACTS Housing:
  Nearly $2.5 million invested to support work that has helped more than 150 local families purchase and rehabilitate homes, resulting in more than $5 million in housing investment across Beloit. The average home purchase price is approximately $160,000, with an average monthly housing cost of approximately $1,200.
- Family Services Next Steps Program:
  A $250,000 Foundation investment helped complete the final eight transitional housing units.
- Habitat for Humanity:
  A $350,000 seed investment helped bring Habitat for Humanity back to Beloit and supports its goal of building 10 homes by the end of 2027. Five of the 10 lots were personally donated by a Hendricks family member.
- Housing 4 Our Vets through Rock Valley Community Programs:
  $575,000 invested over the past 15 years to provide transitional housing and support services for veterans experiencing homelessness.
- Additional housing partners:
  Targeted support for organizations such as Beloit Cares helps people experiencing housing instability meet immediate needs and connect with resources that support longer-term stability.

Housing Opportunity by the Numbers:

ACTS Housing:
Nearly $2.5 million invested to support work that has helped more than 150 local families purchase and rehabilitate homes, resulting in more than $5 million in housing investment across Beloit. The average home purchase price is approximately $160,000, with an average monthly housing cost of approximately $1,200.
Family Services Next Steps Program:
A $250,000 Foundation investment helped complete the final eight transitional housing units.
Habitat for Humanity:
A $350,000 seed investment helped bring Habitat for Humanity back to Beloit and supports its goal of building 10 homes by the end of 2027. Five of the 10 lots were personally donated by a Hendricks family member.
Housing 4 Our Vets through Rock Valley Community Programs:
$575,000 invested over the past 15 years to provide transitional housing and support services for veterans experiencing homelessness.
Additional housing partners:
Targeted support for organizations such as Beloit Cares helps people experiencing housing instability meet immediate needs and connect with resources that support longer-term stability.

FAQs

Why is The Lincoln Academy expanding?

TLA is expanding because demand exceeds the school’s current capacity. More than 200 scholars are on the waitlist, and some families have spent multiple years trying to enroll. The phased expansion is designed to serve approximately 1,500 scholars over time while providing the space needed for academics, career education, student support services and campus operations.

The expansion will allow more Beloit families to access a public-school option they are actively seeking while creating additional capacity for academic and career-connected learning.

Why was the location selected for the expansion?

The Lincoln Academy already operates at the former Eclipse Center site, making it the most practical location for expansion. Expanding around the existing campus allows the school to create a connected site that supports academics, student services, scholar safety, transportation and long-term growth. Most of the expansion will occur on the former Eclipse Center property, with additional adjacent land needed to support a unified campus. Multiple expansion alternatives were evaluated before the current plan was selected.

How will this project benefit Beloit?

The expansion will create capacity for more Beloit students to access a public-school option their families are seeking. It will expand educational and career-connected learning opportunities while preparing more students for future success. The Foundation will continue investing separately in housing, education and workforce pathways across Beloit.

Why not preserve homes and expand somewhere else?

The Lincoln Academy evaluated multiple expansion alternatives before selecting the current plan. Options considered included reusing and rehabilitating existing portions of the Eclipse Center, constructing separate facilities and various campus expansion concepts. The current plan was selected because it best supports academic programming, scholar safety, transportation, campus operations and long-term growth.

While most of the expansion will occur on the former Eclipse Center property, additional adjacent land is needed to create a connected campus that can meet the school’s future needs.

Why remove homes during a housing shortage?

The Lincoln Academy’s expansion requires additional land adjacent to the existing campus. After evaluating multiple alternatives, the Foundation determined that expanding around the current campus was the best option to support educational programming, scholar safety, student services and long-term growth. The Foundation continues to invest in housing initiatives across Beloit, including homeownership, housing rehabilitation, new housing development and housing stability.

Are residents being forced to sell their homes? What support is provided to affected residents, including renters?

No. Every property purchase connected to the expansion has been voluntary, and no homeowner has been forced to sell. Sellers have received fair and, in some cases, above-market compensation, along with moving assistance and support finding another home.

For rental properties, landlords who choose to sell are required to comply with Wisconsin landlord-tenant law, and both buyers and sellers must honor the terms of existing leases. The Foundation has also communicated with neighborhood tenants about their legal rights.

Is this project contributing to gentrification?

The Foundation’s housing research suggests Beloit’s primary housing challenge is a shortage of housing supply across multiple price points rather than traditional gentrification. Our housing investments are focused on expanding homeownership, increasing housing opportunities and supporting long-term affordability and housing stability across Beloit.

Is this project financially benefiting the Hendricks family or related companies?

No. For this project, the Foundation is purchasing homes in the surrounding area; Hendricks Commercial Properties is donating land on the Eclipse site; funds for construction are being donated; and Corporate Contractors Inc. is completing the work at zero profit.

What public approvals and oversight apply to this project?

The project must comply with applicable City of Beloit review and approval processes, including land use, zoning, building and safety requirements. The project has been reviewed through the normal public approval process, and future phases will be subject to any additional approvals that apply.

Rezoning for the block area between Morse and Spruce streets was approved by the City of Beloit in January 2026. Any future redevelopment plans will continue to be reviewed through the applicable public processes and regulatory requirements.

Why should the community trust the Foundation’s explanation?

Trust is earned through actions and transparency. The Foundation is sharing information about the project, answering questions directly and providing supporting data to help the community understand the decision and its impact. It remains committed to investing in educational opportunity, housing opportunity and workforce pathways across Beloit.

Community Resources

Broader Education and Housing Investments

Educational Opportunity Across Beloit

TLA expansion is one part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to educational opportunity. The Foundation supports multiple educational pathways and does not view educational opportunity as an either-or choice. Learn more about our educational projects we support.

- The Lincoln Academy:
  Approximately $2 million annually in Foundation support.
- School District of Beloit:
  Approximately $3 million over three years invested in the Gaston and Converse elementary school pilot initiative.
- Rock County Christian School:
  Up to $1 million in capital improvement support for its new westside facility.
- Go Beyond Grades:
  Just over $200,000 invested in a community-based initiative supporting strong home-school partnerships and academic growth.

Housing Opportunity Across Beloit

The Foundation supports housing initiatives focused on homeownership, housing rehabilitation, new housing development, neighborhood revitalization, housing stability and targeted transitional housing support.

Educational Opportunity Across Beloit

The Lincoln Academy:
Approximately $2 million annually in Foundation support.
School District of Beloit:
Approximately $3 million over three years invested in the Gaston and Converse elementary school pilot initiative.
Rock County Christian School:
Up to $1 million in capital improvement support for its new westside facility.
Go Beyond Grades:
Just over $200,000 invested in a community-based initiative supporting strong home-school partnerships and academic growth.

Housing Opportunity Across Beloit

Have Questions? Contact Us

For questions about the project, contact Lisa Furseth with the Hendricks Family Foundation at
lfurseth@hendricksholding.com.

Packard Family Care Center Website

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