ROTHSCHILD, WI (WSAU) — It’s not just a merger of the Rothschild and Everest Metro Police Departments that’s been keeping Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle busy
He’s also working on a new retail development for Grand Avenue near the Highway 29 interchange. While he’s not ready to say who will be filling the space just yet, he does promise it will be a big name.
“Those are confidential however as the site plans come to the [Village] Board for final approval we will be releasing those,” said VanDeWalle. “The hope is that [one of the stores] in that area will be the first of its kind in the state.”
The Administrator says the focus of the development is retail, meaning anyone hoping for a Red Lobster in the area will be let down. “It’ll be 100% retail, and the state of Illinois is [this store’s] closest location.”
The area has seen major transformation since Shopko closed its doors several years ago, including a new VA Clinic offering expanded services and better parking for Veterans. Shopko Optical has also been set up in the area along with the Uff Da! Sign Store, which moved out of the Wausau Center Mall.
VanDeWalle adds that the developer is putting $8.5 million into the project with the Village adding about $1.3 million as construction is completed. “We are doing about 17% of the development with the hopes that this increases the tax assessment quite substantially.
“Really, this is an exciting thing for the Village because it raises our tax base in a positive way,” added VanDeWalle.
Other topics VanDeWalle discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner:
Start of video- Water treatment facility update
5:50- Weston Ave. construction
9:40- Former Shopko development updates
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