Work begins on River Prairie's final piece
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Andrew Dowd, Leader-Telegram staff
Clearing land for Altoona's signature piece of its River Prairie development is under way.
As part of a $2.7 million city contract with Thorp-based Haas Sons, trees were cut down at the 50-acre site in preparation for an groundbreaking ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday in the development's northwest quadrant.
City officials envision about 70 percent of the site will be commercially developed, with the rest planned as public space with a stream, amphitheater, trails, canoe landings and other features for recreation and social gatherings.
Developers have expressed interest in the site, city Administrator Mike Golat said, and that is likely to increase as the site is prepared with entrance roads and utility lines.
"We're actively marketing now," he said of the land.
While the city works to secure private developers for this section of River Prairie, its other three quadrants already have seen construction activity and much of the entire development off U.S. 53 has been spoken for.
Most recently, the southwest quadrant has been cleared for the construction of a Woodman's Food Market, expected to open next fall. About eight acres near that grocery store's property remain available for development.
OakLeaf Surgical Hospital, Northwoods Therapy and Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine are located in the southeast quadrant, but the city has retained about 3 acres next to the hospital.
The remaining northeast quadrant is a mix of single-family homes and twin homes, Golat said, though there are a few parcels that remain.
Altoona has been developing the River Prairie area since the early 2000s, and those projects have picked up steam during the past several years.
Dowd can be reached at 715-833-9204, 800-236-7077 or andrew.dowd@ecpc.com.
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