Foundry on Third occupancy could start in November

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T. Wall Enterprise owner Terrence Wall (left) and Mayor Doug Diny at the Foundry on Third site. Residents could be occupying it as early as November.

The Foundry on Third project could have tenants as early as November/December, the owner of T. Wall Enterprises told The Wausonian.

Terrence Wall, owner of T. Wall Enterprise, said that ahead of a tour of the Foundry project, which included a view from the skywalk leading from the U-shaped building to the parking ramp that was once attached to Sears.

The project hit some delays with funding snafus early on but came together last year as workers broke ground a little more than a year ago.

Right now, Project Manager Nick Patterson told The Wausonian that the development has a waitlist of more than 70 people and some businesses such as a couple of hair salons and a Pilates studio have already expressed interest in the first-floor commercial space. Wall said they’re targeting November/December for occupancy as long as everything goes according to plan.

Countertops were delayed but are currently being installed and many units on the south wing of the building facing the parking ramp are already complete.

Eventually there will be a separate leasing trailer on the site facing Washington Street that will help get people signed up for the 150-plus-unit building until they can get the office open inside.

Plans are still in the works for a second building that would essentially be a mirror image of the current one, Wall confirmed to The Wausonian. But Wall says the company wants to get a solid number of leases booked for the first building before they start on a second. That would give banks more confidence in lending for the project.

Meanwhile, Washington Street remains partially open, with pavement now down for the entire street surface. That includes the extension of Third Street south of Washington Street, traversing past the new Foundry on Third Street toward HOM Furniture.

Business owners on Third Street are anxious for the streets to reopen. Many have told The Wausonian privately that they’ve seen their business drop 40% or more since the work on the streets started.

Could Diny be the last mayor of Wausau?

That’s Mayor Doug Diny’s plan, anyway. Prior to a media tour of the Foundry on Third building, Diny answered questions about a new plan he’s floating for the city to hire a city manager.