Stevens Point Mall Demolition To Start Next Week

The last legal obstacles have been cleared in Stevens Point for the demolition of the city’s downtown mall. The project is now on a fast track for completion.

Demolition of the troubled Center Point Market Place could start as early as Wednesday, August 15th, the day after the city awards bids for the project… according to Stevens Point Mayor Andrew Halverson, “Gas, electric terminations are going on as we speak to be able to prep the building as quickly as we can for what will be the imminent demolition starting next week.”

The city plans to demolish part of the mall, relocate Mid State Technical College into what’s left, and extend Third Street through the property to open up the downtown. Halverson says the street needs to be built immediately so the college can move in by the fall of 2013. “Our goal is to be able to have that street built before the end of the paving season this year, or as most of us like to refer to it: the start of deer season.”

It’s been a long process for Halverson, beginning with getting voters to approve the project by referendum, getting sued by former mall owner Valley Bank, reaching a deal in court, and then agreeing to take on environmental clean-up costs. The Mayor says it’s been worth it. “Well, clearly most communities would be falling all over themselves to be able to relocate a college within their downtown, and a downtown in need. The community can finally look beyond the constant questioning of what will happen to that building. We’ve answered that, and we’ve answered it in a way where I think we can all be very proud.”

The city of Stevens Point purchased the mall property for $1,925,000.