Greetings Members and Partners of the River District!
3rd Street isn't the only thing getting a facelift - so is your River District Newsletter! In an effort to green the Main Street program and decrease printing costs we are offering an electronic version of this monthly newsletter. We encourage you to confirm your interest in receiving the River District Newsletter electronically by clicking "Please confirm" above should you not wish to receive this in hard copy form also.
Enjoy! |
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A New Face With Main Street
 It is a privilege to be able to introduce myself as the new Main Street Manager of Main Street Wausau, Inc. I was hired at the end of March after Main Street Wausau's former director, Leah Alters, resigned at the end of 2009 to begin a position with the Columbus Arts Festival. With over eight years of experience in community-based development with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and a Business Improvement District in the City of Milwaukee, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve and promote the River District community! In the short time I have been here I find myself inspired by the economic and cultural foundation you have laid, and encouraged by the vision for the River District many of you are beginning to share with me. As I continue to familiarize myself with the District I look forward to meeting all of you, learning about your history in downtown Wausau, and hearing your vision for the District's future.
I encourage you to drop by the Main Street office any time to offer suggestions, share ideas, or simply say 'hello'. I can also be reached by phone at 715.845.1328, or e-mail at Dawn@MainStreetWausau.org. Please keep your eyes open for June's newsletter where we will begin describing the great work currently taking place within the Main Street committees. Again, I look forward to getting to know and work with all of you!
Sincerely,
Dawn Follendorf |
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3rd Street Gets a Facelift
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In just a few weeks, 3rd Street will have a fresh new look between Jefferson and Grant Streets once the 3rd Street reconstruction project is complete. Construction crews have been hard at work since he beginning of April. They have installed a new sewer system and are now bringing the street back to grade and pouring sidewalks. The facelift along this stretch will mirror the streetscape currently in place on 3rd Street's 300 block. It is anticipated that construction on each block will take six weeks to complete. We are happy to announce that the work remains largely on schedule!
In an effort to encourage community members to continue to patronize businesses during construction the Main Street office put a positive spin on "detours" by encouraging community members to "retour" the area. This message is primarily being delivered via yard signs, sandwich boards and a billboard next to the train depot that sport the logo you see above to serve as a visual reminder that businesses remain accessible. Just a few days after construction began the visibility of this message grew as River District businesses and partners began offering free forms of advertising to support their neighbors.
The Main Street office would like to thank its Promotions Committee, Theresa Shepherd and Bruce Bohlken, for their efforts in coordinating the "retour" message; Sarah Werth and Creative Communications for developing the "retour" concept and design; River District businesses and partners who have offered support during this project; and Brad Marquardt and Brian Petit with the Dept. of Public Works for ensuring that businesses along the construction site remain accessible and their needs met! |
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River District In The Spotlight
Congratulations to Bruce Bohlken and Becher-Hoppe Associates, Inc. for their recent awards!
Bruce Bohlken, former Main Street Wausau, Inc. Board member, was the recipient of a 2009 Volunteer of the Year award at the 20th Annual Wisconsin Main Street Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 23rd!
Each year, the Wisconsin Department of Commerce recognizes outstanding volunteers and downtown revitalization projects within Main Street communities. Main Street Wausau was fortunate to have Bruce as an active Board Member and volunteer since our inception in 2002. He received the award for his longstanding dedication to revitalizing downtown Wausau and his efforts to keep the Main Street office running smoothly while the office was in transition between directors. According to Joe Mella, Board President of Main Street Wausau, "Bruce's assistance during this time of transition was crucial and invaluable."
Congratulations to Becher-Hoppe Associates, Inc. for their win in the manufacturing / commercial services category of the Wausau Region's Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Small Business Awards!
Founded in 1954 by Archie Becher Sr. and Melvin Hoppe, Becher-Hoppe began as an engineering and surveying firm, and expanded to include architectural services in 1973. The firm has grown to 34 employees and has been headquartered in the River District since 1985. |
 SquareUp Brew Fest Raised $15K
Despite heavy snow from a storm Friday night that collapsed the Brew Fest's 60 x 100 foot tent, the SquareUp Brew Fest fund raiser started only 30 minutes late and hosted hundreds from Noon to 8 PM on Sat., May 8. The people who attended - diverse in age and interest - contributed $15,000 to the SquareUp Campaign to enhance our one-of-a-kind City Square.
Brew Fest goers sampled three unique SquareUp beers that were donated by Bull Falls Brewery, Great Dane Pub and Brewing Co., and Red Eye Brewing Co. Attendees also enjoyed live music donated by a variety of local bands and performers and food provided by local vendors.
This fund raiser was truly a community effort and the SqaureUp Committee would like to recognize a number of additional in-kind donations that were made. Brew Fest was sponsored by Wausau Area Events on behalf of the SquareUp Committee and their volunteers provided ongoing site operation services. WSAW News Channel 7 sponsored television promotions. Creative Communications designed the event poster. Sun Printing provided posters and fund raising materials. Midwest Communications, the Daily Herald and City Pages provided promotions. Area businesses contributed services and materials and downtown business helped promote the event. The City of Wausau Dept. of Public Works provided on-site services. Stevens Point Tents and many volunteers responded to repair and re-erect the tent.
If you were unable to attend you can still sample the brews and donate to the cause as the beers will be sold at the brew pubs while supplies last with proceeds going to the SquareUp Fund. |
The River District Welcomes...
The Main Street office would like to welcome the following business to the River District! Click on the business name to be directed to their website or facebook page if available.
El Pitayo's Mexican Restaurant - Washington Square (lower level); 842-9206
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Wanted: Sidewalk Sale Enthusiasts! 
Over the last few weeks a group of enthusiastic business owners and managers have been generating some fantastic ideas on how to create the River District's Annual Sidewalk Sale (July 8-11) into a fun, community celebration that also rings cash registers!
Would you like to get in on the action? If yes, contact Dawn at 715.845.1328 or Dawn@MainStreetWausau.org for information on how you can get involved. The Sidewalk Sale needs your contributions to be a success! |
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River District Exhibitour 
Don't forget to add one of Wausau's favorite downtown events to your calendar!
On Friday, June 18th, participating businesses will welcome community members into their establishments to explore the work of a featured artist and sample wine and hors d'oeurves between 6 and 8 PM. By this date the roadwork along portions of 3rd Street will be complete, making this another great way to encourage the community to retour the River District and check out its new look!
Does your business have an interest in participating in this event by hosting an artist or offering a promotion on the night of the event? For more information on how you can be involved, please contact Dawn at Dawn@MainStreetWausau.org or 715.845.1328 as soon as possible. |
Summer Kickoff Celebration
Start the summer off right on Friday, June 11th on the 400 Block with a fun filled night of music and activities. Live music will be provided by the Wausau West and DC Everest Jazz bands from 5 to 7 PM, followed by Andy Zynda & the Spankin' Monkees from 7 to 9 PM. Family friendly activities will include art projects, a climbing wall, face painting and a showing of Shrek II on a huge 40' screen at dusk. |
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Fight Hunger With Canned Art 
Show the community your organization cares - with cans! Offer your co-workers and friends an opportunity to help others, have fun and get creative by participating in United Way's Day of Action to fight hunger in Marathon County.
United Way and M & I Bank have teamed up to host a contest to see which participating organization in Marathon County can build the most visually captivating sculpture out of cans or other basic needs items donated by family and friends. After the event, the collected items will be distributed to area food pantries.
Construction of the sculptures will take place on Monday, June 21st from 11 AM to 4:30 PM on the 400 Block of 3rd Street, with ballots for the "People's Choice" award being cast from 4:30 to 6 PM. Contact Sue Haupt, United Way Communications Director at 715.848.2927 o r shaupt@unitedwaymc.org for details. |
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See you in the River District!
Dawn
Dawn Follendorf
Manager
Main Street Wausau, Inc.
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| River District Calendar of Events | | |
Summer Kickoff Celebration
Fri., June 11, 5 PM
Exhibitour
Sat., June 18th,
6 to 8 PM |
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