Mayors Monday: Stevens Point's Mike Wiza

STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -- A new mixed-use development may soon be coming to downtown Stevens Point.

City planners will meet this evening to discuss a plan submitted by developers for the former Lullaby factory site on a plot between the downtown and a residential district, which Mayor Mike Wiza says is reflected in the setup of the proposal. "It gives a nice transition into that residential neighborhood while still taking into account the needs of the businesses and residential units that they will be designing.

The plan calls for two mixed-use buildings with retail and office space on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors. Those buildings would be separated by a pedestrian walkway that opens into some green space with single-family residential units on the backside of the property, creating the buffer between commercial and residential space. "I think it's an extremely unique idea," adds Wiza.

Developers are molding the plans after similar developments in West Hollywood, California according to information submitted for Monday's agenda packet. Similar developments can also be found near the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.

Lullaby was a company that made children's furniture in Stevens Point. Mayor Wiza says the site of their former building has been sitting vacant for several years. The site encompasses about four acres.

In addition to the proposed development, Wiza says he and his staff would like to hear more from residents about what they would like to see in the downtown area along with areas of Division Street between Maria and 4th. The city will be holding town-hall style meetings beginning on January 17th at Mid-State Technical College to take that input.

Other topics Mayor Wiza discussed with WSAU's Mike Leischner include:

Start of video- New year, new developments near downtown and Division Street.

5:30- Return of the Levitt music series for 2019 at Pfiffner Park and changes for the new year including the possibility of boat parking near the park and a beer garden.

9:50- Continued discussions on the Parklet program including the possibility of making the program permanent.

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