Central Wisconsin News

Upon assuming office in April 2020, one of Mayor Katie Rosenberg's first priorities was to renegotiate plans for the redevelopment of the Wausau Center Mall. Despite approving an initial deal in December that year, the economic development efforts have cost Wausau $6.5 million so far. Multiple plans have fallen through, several longstanding businesses have shuttered, and construction has been delayed on the most recent project, pushing back the anticipated completion from December of next year to November 2025.

The Wausau Daily Herald reports that while the city's original agreement with the Wausau Opportunity Zone (WOZ) was approved during Rosenberg's predecessor's tenure, Rosenberg conducted most of the renegotiations on the original plan. She stated her goal in these efforts was to make the deal more beneficial for taxpayers by "cutting costs and expediting any processes possible." The revitalization plan was expected to commence by July 2021 and conclude by November 2022.

Rosenberg told the Wausau Daily Herald that she believes the mall's redevelopment and that of its surrounding area are crucial for Wausau's survival. She said, "I want to ensure that we're moving on this. I don't want to have a vacant lot for 10 years."

In May 2021, anticipating construction, the mall was demolished. However, according to reports from the Wausau Daily Herald, the project site covering approximately eight city blocks in Downtown Wausau has largely remained vacant since then.

A report from Wausau Pilot and Review reveals that taxpayers have already spent $6.5 million or "more than $163 for every man woman and child in Wausau," even though groundbreaking on any new apartments or commercial spaces has yet to occur.

Earlier this year, as reported by Wausau Pilot and Review, Rosenberg stated during a council meeting where an extension was approved for Foundry on 3rd project at the Wausau mall site, that no further extensions would be granted for the project. She considered the extension a necessary "shot at survival" for the project.

Since revitalization plans for Wausau's downtown and redevelopment of the mall site began, several longstanding businesses in Wausau's downtown area have either relocated or closed down. WAOW reports that these businesses include Randall Jewelers. Some business owners were optimistic about the planned redevelopment efforts set to begin later that year, according to a 2021 report.

In August 2023, Fat Joe's Pizzeria announced its closure after nearly seven years of operation. As reported by WSAU, Fat Joe's had made multiple calls for new employees prior to this announcement.

Angelo's Pizzeria, a business with a 50-year history on Sixth St. in Wausau, also closed its doors in 2022 and transitioned to selling frozen pizzas exclusively. A fan of the establishment expressed disappointment on Facebook saying, "Wow, that is sad to hear. Angelo’s has been an icon on 6th Street as long as I can remember. Just won’t (be) the same without it," upon learning of the closure, as reported by the Wausau Daily Herald.

At the end of 2022, CBS Sports reported that sneaker and apparel company Eastbay announced it would be shutting down operations after 43 years, resulting in more than 200 employees losing their jobs. Interestingly, Mayor Rosenberg herself was once an employee at Eastbay.