Greater Wausau > Downtown Wausau Refresh

Check Out the Refreshing Changes to Downtown Wausau

GET DOWNTOWN. IT’S REFRESHING!

Downtown Wausau has undergone impressive changes recently. Aspirus Family Physician Clinic opened on Third Street in 2022, the Woodson YMCA had a major renovation in 2019 and the award-winning Wausau River District has evolved as a popular destination for entertainment, arts, business and residential development.

Now, nearly 10 acres where the Wausau Center mall stood since 1983 are being transformed under the direction of Wausau Opportunity Zone (WOZ). The mall was demolished in 2021 to make way for much-needed urbanization, including quality retail and commercial space and affordable housing. Two parking ramps, the JCPenney building and HOM Furniture remain.

Stay in the know with regular email updates by signing up below and return here at downtownrefresh.com regularly for continued news and information, project updates and feature stories on the redevelopment of the former mall property and the downtown revitalization efforts. Refreshing changes are coming to your downtown.

The Key Initiatives of 2023

WOZ is working in collaboration with local governments, businesses and community organizations to enhance the quality of life for everyone in the greater Wausau region. Their current focus includes street construction, the new Children's Imaginarium, HOM Furniture façade work and Foundry on 3rd planning. The redevelopment plan is on course to produce a vibrant city center with pedestrian-friendly streetscapes for Wausau residents to live, work and play.

Wausau Center Redevelopment Plan Overview

Redevelopment Updates

  • Two Minute Drill video on the redevelopment updates - Watch this video series in which Dave Eckmann, President/CEO of the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce, shares a brief update on the redevelopment of the Wausau Center Mall property in downtown Wausau.
  • Second Street extension in downtown Wausau from Forest and Second Streets was completed in time for the opening of the Children's Imaginarium.
  • Children's Imaginarium, Wausau's largest children's STEM museum, will open to the public on December 6. Learn more.
  • Foundry on 3rd plans to break ground in the spring of 2024.

Latest News & Developments

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Know exactly what’s happening in the redevelopment zone by subscribing to DOWNTOWN REFRESH updates. Feel free to leave comments or questions about the downtown revitalization.

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Partners

We want to thank our community partners and Downtown Wausau businesses for coming together to refresh the downtown. Click below to learn more about our partners and any upcoming event schedules from Wausau Events, Wausau River District and The Grand Theater.