WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The demolition process of the Wausau Center Mall is already underway, you just can’t see it yet.
On Tuesday the Wausau City Council heard an update from Chuck Ghidorzi of Wausau Opportunity Zone on what’s already being done to the building including the removal of some materials that were donated to local non-profits such as Community Partners Campus and Habitat for Humanity.
“The physical removal of these items will occur over the next few weeks,” said Ghidorzi. “[We are also] de-energizing the mall. WPS will have the gas and electricity disconnected by the end of April.”
All of that leads up to the formal beginning of the brick-by-brick demolition in the middle of May. Ghidorzi says they’ll start in the area of the former Sears building and work their way towards the former JC Penny building. The parking structures and Hom Furniture store will remain untouched and will see little impact from the process.
Ghidorzi adds that the re-purposing of the space is something that the city should be excited about, adding we are “on the doorstep of something quite exciting.”
In addition to keeping things ‘business as usual for the parking structures and Hom Furniture, other downtown businesses should also see little disruption from the plans. That includes those located along 3rd street near the mall. Dave Eckmann of Wausau Opportunity Zone says working with those shops and restaurants has been a high-priority item for everyone, especially coming off the last year.
“We want to let people know we are open for business,” said Eckmann. “[But we know] that between now and August there will be some disruptive environments.”
Eckmann adds that WOZ has remained open and transparent about the demolition plans to let everyone know when potential disruptions may occur and how to navigate them. “You will see and hear from us not only in social media but in emails to all of you [the council] and citizens. We will also have a website at Wausau Opportunity Zone that will have a full update [of the demolition schedule.]”
Eckmann also serves as President of the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, high-res photos and renderings of the interior of the mall have been taken by the city’s historic preservation commission and plans are in motion to move the historic boy and the boot statue to another public place in the city.
