Update on development in Altoona
Friday, April 17, 2015
Jackson Schmidtke, Multi-Media Reporter, WQOW
Altoona (WQOW) - Driving along Highway 53 it's hard not to notice the dust clouds and development going on in Altoona.
It looks like a desert right now but the area long the highway will become the crown jewel for the city of Altoona.
"We'll have a traditional main street sort of downtown space," said Altoona City Administrator Mike Golat.
And there are also plans to embrace the area's natural beauty.
"We'll have a large performance venue overlooking the river that will be set up to handle 4 to 5 thousand people," Golat said.
The growth of the River Prairie Development was the topic of Friday's Eggs and Issues meeting. The northwest quadrant of the property already has build commitments from Kwik Trip, Westconsin Credit Union, and a hotel. Plus interest in just about every lot on the development.
Across the street at the southwest quadrant a behemoth is rising from the ground. Woodman's Market is being built and is expected to bring as many as 35,000 trips to the store daily. Mike Golat says the entire store could barely fit in Lambeau Field and Woodman's liquor department will be as big as Aldi.
"It's going to be a really great addition to the market here," Golat said.
Altoona wasn't the sole focus at Friday's meeting. Golat said the development in Altoona is complemented with exciting growth in other communities as well. He says the Confluence Project, Downtown Chippewa Falls, and others are building a new era in the area.
"All these things are coming together right now to make the Chippewa Valley a really really exciting place to be," Golat said.
As of last fall four businesses had made plans to move from Eau Claire to Altoona and interest in relocating to River Prairie continues to grow. Bernicke and Associates is another that will be added to that list.
Woodman's is expected to open in October and the other businesses mentioned are hoping to begin construction this summer. Read more about this article »
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