STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) — One of Stevens Point’s largest vacant properties in one of it’s busiest business districts could be redeveloped soon. The former Cooper Motors lot on Division Street is considered a prime location, right on Business 51-Division Street and only a block away from UW Stevens Point.
Stevens Point Community Development Director Michael Ostrowski says Kraemer Construction of Middleton has approached city leaders about the Cooper Motors property and another property immediately west of the former car dealership. He says the developer would like to build three different things. “A mixed-use development will consist of a housing component of about 40 units of student housing, as well as a retail restaurant option, both fronting on Division Street, and then potentially another office type use on the back of the property just south of what is currently Klasinski Clinic.”
The proposal calls for a two story office building totalling 20,200 square feet, the 8,000 square foot restaurant, and a four story student apartment building with 55,000 square feet. There is also enough land to exceed the required 212 parking stalls the development would require.
Ostrowski says the preliminary site concept drawings fit what the city wants for Division Street in the long run. “These buildings start to pull closer to the street, allow for better pedestrian accommodations by school traffic, and it really creates that more walkable area that’s one of the focuses we’re looking for for the Division Street corridor given the type of uses that are in that area given the two high schools as well as the university campus.”
The proposed development will have it’s first public presentation and discussion at the Plan Commission meeting Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Lincoln Center.