East Riverfront WOW building
Work on the Wausau on the Water entertainment center—WOW for short—is now expected to wrap up in November. It’s the first piece of the record-breaking East Riverfront project.
WOW will offer riverfront dining, games and laser tag. The exterior is largely done, and the interior work is about to begin, says Wausau’s interim Community Development Director Christian Schock. The original development agreement asked that the project be completed by Sept. 30, but poor soil conditions forced a delay.
WOW is part of the 16-acre development along the east side of the Wisconsin River, near downtown. The entire redevelopment includes $100 million in new building projects and a two-phase public parks project that would be one of the most extensive in city history. This flagship parks project is meant to attract housing, riverfront entertainment and unique recreation to the formerly blighted area.
The foundation work on the public wharf, boat launch and Adirondack seating area has been completed. Some concrete for the bike trail that will connect the River’s Edge trail has been poured.
Schock says plans are progressing for the first housing phase of the project, which include a townhouse, an apartment complex and a commercial building. Construction should start in spring of 2017 and could be completed toward the end of next year, or in spring of 2018. (B.C.K.)
