News
The Shoppes at CenterPoint have been a center of the downtown for years and now stand almost completely empty. The city is now looking at plans to redevelop the area that even consider razing the mall.
Downtown plans put on hold for now
The Pointer
jglod170@uwsp.edu
The Shoppes at CenterPoint, formerly known as the CenterPoint Marketplace and also known as the mall or hall; will be phasing a slow planning process by the city. On Thursday Oct. 13, citizens from Stevens Point came together for a meeting of the City Common Council in the mall to look at the future of the mall and the entire downtown.
Most of the attention was centered on a proposal that had been developed involving extensive razing and development downtown. After extensive feedback from residents, the city of Stevens Point decided to push back the proposal to give more time for feedback.
The proposed plan consisted of razing much of the standing mall, leaving the three corner stores and Figi’s, and would provide space for the ever-growing Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum.
Much of the remaining former mall space would become approximately 200 parking spots. The plan also had a section of land across the street, known as the Lullabye Furniture site, developed as a large apartment complex aimed at drawing in students.
It also included running Third Street through the location where the mall now stands. In the long run, there are also additions about enhancing the waterfront and creating bike bridges for safer crossing of Clark Street.
This proposed plan is now being put on hold so that more input can be gathered by citizens and so the city doesn’t rush into a deal. Mayor Andrew Halverson pushed postponing the topic for a month or more to give more time for citizens and the city to think about it.
Halverson also plans to push for getting information, meeting agendas, meeting times and dates out earlier to make sure citizens, including students, are better informed as to what is happening in their community.
“It is vital that we allow for ample public input for a project of this magnitude,” said Halverson. “The City must, however, not slow down in terms of its’ commitment to moving downtown forward.”
Despite the waiting time, the mayor has made it clear that the proposal may come back in the same shape or format as it did last week.
Upcoming City Common Council meeting agendas and minutes will be updated online at the city Web site, www.stevenspoint.com.
