Front entrance of the Wausau Center Mall on Washington St. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A historic sculpture donated to the City of Wausau just under 100 years ago will have a new home sometime this year.
The Wausau Center Mall building is set for demolition sometime in 2021 after Wausau Opportunity Zone Fund, a locally financed nonprofit group, bought the mall in 2019 for new development. But before the property becomes rubble the Wausau Historic Preservation Commission is hoping to find a new place for the Boy and the Boot sculpture.
The sculpture was donated to the City in 1925 by Sue Hammond Rea, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Hammond a successful area lumberman at the turn of the 19th century. The sculpture has resided in the mall since its initial opening on August 3rd, 1983.
City Planner Brad Lenz says the City is working to find a new home for the sculpture. “The Boy with the Boot sculpture was discussed and that’s still in discussion with the Parks Department and our Main Street Director. So that’s still on our radar. We’ll work with the mall owners to remove that statue and put it in safekeeping. And look to find a permanent home for it.”
No details were given on any potential site for The Boy and the Boot sculpture once it is removed from the mall. The Commission also hopes to take extensive photos of the Wausau Center Mall to document the building before its demolition.
Plans for the mall from WOZ call for redeveloping the eight blocks that encompass the mall and could soon be home to a public market, new retail shops, and 300 or more apartments.
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