Remaking the Valley: Quality of life is job one in Altoona

Monday, February 1, 2016
Liam Marlaire, Leader-Telegram

Quality-of-life amenities, which help a community attract and retain businesses and skilled workers, will be an area of emphasis this year for Altoona.

Construction will continue on public park space and a main street along the northern boundary of the River Prairie development along U.S. 53.

Plans call for the park to include both small and large performance venues, the latter of which is an amphitheater that could seat 5,000 patrons, a splash pad, a community center, fire rings and and an interactive feature along the Eau Claire River. A canoe and kayak landing was completed last year, and work continues on a large pavilion.

Partners are being sought to hold a concert series at the park, which city Administrator Mike Golat said will be "the best in the region." It's scheduled to be completed this fall. Improvements also are being made at Centennial Park along Spooner Avenue.

"It's a way to attract the knowledge class," Golat said. "These investments matter.

"Investments enhance the quality of life, which benefits the people who live here and is also attractive to people who come here."

Last year was a busy one for the city, as activity was robust in both the commercial and residential sectors.

Developments in the northwest quadrant of River Prairie, which measures about 130 acres, included:

• Nearly all infrastructure projects, such as streets and sidewalks, were completed, and a new Kwik Trip opened.

• Construction began on a Bernicke Wealth Management building, 135-room Staybridge Suites and two retail buildings owned by Royal Construction.

• Projects expected to start this year are a new restaurant for Draganetti's group, an apartment building, an apartment and retail building, an office building and new construction for WESTconsin Credit Union.

• Deliberations are continuing for a second restaurant and second apartment and retail building.

A sprawling Woodman's Markets store opened in the development's southwest quadrant in 2015, and a new building for an Ace Hardware nearby is expected to break ground this year.

Mayor Jack Blackburn, who moved to the city shortly before the U.S. 53 bypass opened about 10 years ago, said recent developments in River Prairie have exceeded his expectations.

"'Pleased' would be an understatement," he said. " 'Giddy' might be a better description.

"It's starting to avalanche because people are seeing it, and if they want to be part of this, they have to do it now."

Blackburn said River Prairie's location along U.S. 53 has been a reason for the project's success.

"It's like a showcase for the community," he said. "It's all very visible, and that's why so many people are talking about it.

"When that highway opened it just really changed the whole dynamic of Altoona and anyone along that (U.S.) 53 corridor."

Several new small businesses relocated to Altoona or opened in the city last year, and the recently formed Economic Development Work Group Committee has been tasked with addressing development outside River Prairie. One area of focus is the U.S. 12 corridor.

"We're looking beyond River Prairie for opportunities to continue our momentum," Golat said.

Residential growth

The number of single-family and twin homes in Altoona is on the rise with the Hillcrest Greens and Clubview Estates developments seeing the most activity, Golat said. The Classic at Hillcrest Greens, an assisted living center, was completed last year. Construction also is under way on two other senior housing developments, one of which is an expansive project for Grace Lutheran Foundation along U.S. 53 that will replace Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire.

Grace Lutheran Foundation

"(It's) very well done and a beautiful asset to have in the community," Golat said of The Classic.

As far as growth, Altoona has seen a 9 percent increase in equalized value - an estimate of taxable property in the city - each of the past two years and an increase of 25 percent in the past decade. The equalized value in 2015 was $530 million.

The city's population also is on the rise, from 6,725 in 2010 to 7,200 in 2015, according to U.S. census data.

Golat sees a growing emphasis on quality-of-life amenities in the Chippewa Valley - such as an expanding music and festival scene in the region and ongoing efforts in Chippewa Falls - as benefiting neighboring communities. The Confluence Project in downtown Eau Claire is only about two miles from the River Prairie development.

"I think it's a big story for the entire Chippewa Valley," Golat said, referring to development efforts in Altoona, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls. "We know what's good for Eau Claire is good for Altoona because we're such good neighbors and work closely together."

Contact: 715-833-9215, liam.marlaire@ecpc.com,@marlaires on Twitter

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