Wausau Opportunity Zone

Wausau Transformation Enters the Next Phase

Feb 21 2022

The shared vision for revitalizing downtown Wausau is moving closer to reality now that the Wausau Center Mall is razed and 7.5 acres await redevelopment. “This is a true gift to our community,” said Dave Eckmann, president of Wausau Opportunity Zone Inc. (WOZ). “Most downtowns would love to procure this amount of space for future […]

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Coming to Downtown Wausau Fall 2022: Discover your kid’s inner Einstein at Children’s Imaginarium

Oct 21 2021

After years of anticipation, fun-seeking families are one step closer to entering Wausau’s newest museum for kids. The Children’s Imaginarium, which took root in 2013 as the brainchild of co-founders Maggie Gordon and Tammy Szekeress, will start construction in the summer of 2022 in a portion of the HOM Furniture building. It will have a […]

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Washington Street Downtown Gains On-street Parking Spots

Oct 15 2021

More on-street parking is coming to the Washington Street area this month. Construction crews are currently grading and prepping the base between First and Fourth Streets for installing asphalt next week. Once the street is paint striped, it should be ready for parking by Friday, October 22. According to Eric Lindman, director of public works […]

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Remainder of Wausau Center Mall Will Come Down This Week

Jul 21 2021

The remaining portion of the Wausau Center Mall that once stood as the main entrance on Third Street and Washington Street was demolished today. Watch video of the front entrance coming down here.  “There will be brief road closures this week as crews bring down the final walls along Washington Street,” said Chuck Ghidorzi of […]

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The 15 Best Things to Do in Downtown Wausau Right Now

Jul 16 2021

While the demolition zone at Wausau Center Mall is booming with progress, don’t miss the rest of the excitement happening around Wausau this summer. There’s so much to do and you don’t have to travel beyond central Wisconsin or spend a lot of money to have fun. Here are 15 of the top things you’ll […]

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Right On Track: Wausau Center Mall is 80% Razed

Jul 9 2021

In less than three months, the Wausau Center Mall is nearly gutted. “Demolition is about 80% complete,” said Dave Eckmann, president of the Wausau Chamber and Wausau Opportunity Zone. “What you see on Washington Street is simply a façade. The structure behind the wall is gone.” Construction crews started tearing down the walls of the […]

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Wausau Center Mall Memories: Reflecting on Nearly Four Decades of Fun in Downtown Wausau

Jul 7 2021

This is the first in a series of Mall Memories as shared by community members. Ryan Gallagher had to have one last look. The place where he spent countless hours in his youth was about to become a memory. When it opened in summer 1983, the Wausau Center Mall was the epicenter of excitement for […]

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Live at the Construction Zone, Events and Shopping in Downtown Wausau

Jun 30 2021

Last week News 9-WAOW was live at the construction zone for an in-depth look at the rise and fall of the Wausau Center Mall. Dave Eckmann, president of the Wausau Chamber and Wausau Opportunity Zone, Inc (WOZ) explained the mall’s impact on northcentral Wisconsin and how the redevelopment with mixed-use space will increase opportunities in […]

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Business as Usual Downtown as Crews Make Steady Progress on Wausau Center Mall Demolition

Jun 22 2021

Last week crews started demolition into the Wausau Center Mall building heading west, dismantling the center corridor. Progress has been steady and on track. See photo gallery below from last week’s progress. “The mall demolition has not interfered with downtown events, shopping or dining,“ said Blake Opal-Wahoske, Wausau River District executive director. It has been […]

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Security Fences are up as Excavators Head West in Wausau Center Mall Demolition

Jun 15 2021

You may have noticed that the Sears exterior walls are down. In place of the exposed north wall in the parking ramp, construction crews installed a security fence on the 2nd floor. The ramp is open and available for parking. Crews are steadily making progress as they continue razing the Wausau Center Mall. “It’s business […]

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