By Joe Bachman

Phase one in the future of the Wisconsin Rapids riverfront project is underway.

Representatives from Supermass Studio and MSA Professional Services joined together for a special presentation of phase one of a revitalization of the Wisconsin Rapids riverfront on Wednesday night. Dozens of concerned and involved residents packed a conference room at the Hotel Mead for this presentation, which laid out the potential designs and framework of the entire project.

“It’s important to recognize that it’s just not about the beautification of the park, but it’s an investment into the riverfront infrastructure.” said Supermass Studio Representative and Harvard graduate Taewook Cha.

Supermass Studio Representative Taewook Cha (left) and MSA Professional Services Project Manager Todd Trader. (City Times Photo)

The presentation opened with hard statistics on the benefits of bringing this project to the area — according to Cha, having high traffic recreational parks improve public health, reduces stress, and more importantly, attracts business to the area.

“Good public space brings economic value to the community,” said Cha. “We believe Wisconsin Rapids has a strong momentum going on right now.”

Cha cites current ongoing projects such as the triangle redevelopment, aquatics center, legion park, and the Tribune building as positive examples of the city’s progress and momentum. Supermass will team with MSA Professional Services, who have completed projects in Nekoosa, Biron, Lake Delton, Mauston, and around the area.

“We’re really excited to team with Supermass,” said MSA Professional Services Project Manager Todd Trader. “They had done the preliminary planning and together we’re a pretty good team.”

Features and Amenities

The first phase includes a focus on five areas — Demitz Park, Mead Rapids View, East River Trail, Veterans Memorial Park, and the East Riverbank Conservancy. The current phase will take input from residents to finalize a design, which will lead into the approval and developmental phase in January. Construction is hopeful to begin in Summer of 2017.

Demitz Park 

-Fishing jetties
-Picnic green & shade area
-Boat access
-Parking
-Multi-use trail
-Water access
-River edge upgrade

Proposed future projects include:
-Splash pad
-Adventure playground
-Children’s playground

East River Trail

-Bike lanes
-Bike sharrows (shared lanes with vehicles)
-Multi-use trail
-Memorial lane

Mead Rapids View

-Historic and educational tours
-Small group gatherings
-Reading room
-Recreational classes
-Swings

East Riverbank Conservancy

-Linear park
-Water habitat
-Recreational activities
-Mutli-use trail
-Fishing jetties
-Water access

Proposed future projects include:
-Memorial lane
-Floating walking connector

Veterans Memorial Park

-Park seating
-Event seating
-Live events
-Community recreation
-Multi-use trail
-River view
-Railing improvements

Proposed future projects include:

-Floating walkway connector
-River access

Mayor Zach Vruwink speaking at the Riverfront presentation. (City Times Photo)

According to Cha, the project will be built around respect for the river, sustainability, and economic leverage. Speaking of the economic, the cost has still come into play, as questions arose regarding how to fit the $1.4 million dollar bill for the project. A Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant has been awarded to Wisconsin Rapids in the amount of $672,000, which the city will have to match.

“That local match could come from a number of sources,” said Mayor Zach Vruwink. “City tax levy, borrowing, local donations, philanthropic sponsorships, etc. — It’s our intention that it would be a multi-facet public and private partnership like all successful public projects such as these.”

The Mayor would continue to touch up on the benefits of this large revitalization process, including that of economic, social and health.

“I’m really excited that this project embodies the three of those,” said Vruwink. “It’s really the trifecta in a community development, so we’re very excited for a multitude of reasons why this project will make Wisconsin Rapids a more successful place, not only to live, work, and raise a family, but also to start and grow a business.”

Attendees give their input by placing stickers on the areas they would most like see developed from the riverfront project. (City Times Photo)

After the presentation, attendees were encouraged to seek out interactive boards to place their concerns and interests for what they would like to see come out of the project. While residents posed multiple questions from maintenance costs, to how the project transitions into all four seasons, the sentiment seemed positive.

“Growing up here, the riverfront has stayed relatively the same, so to see a project that’s ambitious like this and really put together substantive changes while looking towards the future of the community is exciting,” said resident Stephen Hittner. “This is something that’s visible to visitors, it’s visible to community members, and hopefully it’s something that brings people into the community.”