MERRILL, Wis. (WSAU) — The City of Merrill is getting a redevelopment grant to help spur new riverfront improvements.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) awarded Merrill $417,250 from the Idle Industrial Sites Redevelopment Program. The money will be used by the city to demolish aging, idle buildings and site preparation in their Eastside Riverfront Redevelopment Project.
WEDC Secretary Reed Hall says, “The first step toward future development is eliminating the existing idle buildings on that property, and this grant will help the city do just that.” Mayor Bill Bialecki says, “We look forward to the completion of this project to provide more additional jobs, tax base and recreational opportunities.”
The Eastside Riverfront Redevelopment Project will finish clearing the long-vacant 15-acre former Anson-Gilkey site for redevelopment and facilitate extension of the River Bend Trail along the Wisconsin River east of Center Ave. The project includes the demolition of the former Page Milk facility to facilitate redevelopment of that property adjoining the former Anson-Gilkey site.
