STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Another local community is finalizing plans with a developer to repurpose its Shopko building and adjacent property.
Mayor Mike Wiza says the city has received plans to create a mixed-use space that could include a variety of indoor and outdoor applications. “We are working with a very reputable developer to take that whole area, not just the Shopko building, but the parking lot, surrounding area, and the public space, to work out a concept plan to better use that space,” said Wiza.
Ideas being floated include a new public transit hub and a mini bandshell. There could be some retail, office, and residential buildings as well.
Wiza calls the proposal exciting and says it could be transformational to the east side of downtown. “Especially the public aspect of it. Having usable public space [for things like] our free piano every year, a small stage that some theater groups have used for improv, and things like that. We’ll make that more functional with a roof, proper electricity, and lighting.
“In another year or two, once construction gets underway, you are going to see a really different east end of downtown,” added Wiza. “While still keeping that downtown, historic feel.”
None of the plans have been finalized. Wiza says you can expect to see discussion on various aspects of the proposal at the committee and council level over the next two months.
Earlier this year it was announced that Wisconsin Rapids is in talks with an Arizona-based developer to repurpose their Shopko into a multi-space retail center with some national names already attached to the project, though those retailers haven’t been announced yet. Other communities have seen their buildings become shopping centers or indoor storage facilities. The former Shopko in Rothschild is now a VA Clinic.
Shopko closed all of its remaining stores in 2019, though many of its optical clinics are still open but have moved into different locations.
Other topics Wiza discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Spring events including the Easter egg hunt
3:20- BID district and Shopko building update
7:30- Plans for a RoboCop statue on hold
10:30- Proposal to change zoning code to allow for more unrelated people in a single-family home as long as the home is owner-occupied.