Demolition begins at former Shopko building in downtown Stevens Point. What happens next?

STEVENS POINT – Plans to redevelop the former Shopko property continue — now more visibly — in downtown Stevens Point.

While crews have been working on-site for a few weeks, they have mostly been working inside the former department store. Passersby have noticed crews making their way to exterior work this week, starting the demolition process.

How long will demolition take?

Mayor Mike Wiza told the Stevens Point Journal the building demolition will take a few weeks. The city aims to have the building cleared out and the site cleaned up before school starts, he said.

How long will redevelopment take?

Some portions of the redevelopment project will move more quickly, but Wiza said the entire project will likely take years to finish.

What is the vision for the project?

Plans for the property include a mix of housing, mixed-use, retail, transit and public space, along with restructuring the road in that area.

Wiza said roadwork, the transit hub and public space will be able to move forward more quickly as the city has funds available from "various sources." The city is also working with a developer on one of the housing components, although other housing and mixed-use spaces will require the city to work with a private developer, he said.

How were these plans developed?

These plans have been in the works in some variation for a few years, and the Stevens Point Journal has followed their progress. In 2021, the city wanted to tear down the department store to make way for apartment units, hotels and other developments, along with a new transit center for city bussing and four more developments. Those plans also included extending streets. The city hoped to receive a grant from a new program through the federal American Rescue Plan Act that would invest in neighborhoods affected by the pandemic. The city did not receive that grant.

Throughout the summer of 2023, Stevens Point staff began considering options to purchase the property and redevelop the entire block. The city worked with Vandewalle & Associates, a Madison-based planning and redevelopment firm, to research the area and provide conceptual designs and road configurations at the area.

In January, city commissions reviewed initial, yet more detailed, plans for the property that still included a new transit center, along with several buildings that focused on residential, retail and mixed-use spaces. An initial site concept envisions the space split up into several developments.

In May, Stevens Point commission and council members approved an overall vision for the city's downtown area, including a look at the Shopko property. That Downtown Targeted Area Master Plan is a big-picture look at what the downtown area could look like, although specific projects within the downtown area would require future development plans and approvals. In that presentation, the Shopko site would still stand as a mix of redevelopment, including housing, retail, mixed-use space, gathering and event spaces and a new transit hub while focusing on parking opportunities.

What are the initial redevelopment plans?

According to early designs, two three- to four-story residential buildings would be built along Centerpoint Drive, where Shopko currently stands. One three-story building would offer 20-30 residential units with the first floor open for potential flexible or commercial space. Parking would be underground. A second building would stand three or four stories tall and would hold 50-75 residential units with the first floor serving as potential flexible or commercial space. Parking would also be underground.

A third building on the corner of Church and Main streets would stand as a three-story mixed-use building. A portion would offer 20-40 residential units along Church Street, while another portion would stand as a 10,000-square-foot retail space along Main Street, also with underground parking. Another Main Street building would stand as a two-story mixed-use building, offering 15-20 residential units and an 11,500-square-foot retail space on the ground floor.

Early plans also call for a new transit center with residential space. The first floor would house the transit center with capacity to hold six to eight busses, restrooms and a shelter. Two or three residential floors would stand above the transit center, offering 20-30 units. This would also include underground parking.

These plans include straightening and extending streets in the area to accommodate the planned development and adding on-street parallel parking spaces.

More local development news:Plover considers plans to renovate part of Younkers building for Tractor Supply Co. store

Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.