Chippewa Riverfront project on track

A major construction project is almost finished with its first phase of construction.

A lot has changed from the groundbreaking in May of this year. The view from above the Chippewa Riverfront project as it is now is quite astonishing. The funding for the project is also going according to plan.

“Our goal for our current campaign is $2 million and we’re already approaching $750,000-$800,000,” Jayson Smith, the Chippewa Falls City Planner, said. “In reality, we really haven’t kicked it off too hard yet.”

The project isn’t close to being complete, but the city encourages anyone who wants to see the progress of the project to take a walk by the river.

“It’s quite beautiful,” Smith said. “You get very different perspectives when you get down by the river and you look back versus when you’re standing on the sidewalks and looking towards the river. It’s very, very unique.”

Smith says the city will light the park in 2-3 weeks, so it will be striking to people driving by because of the early sunset.

With over 7,000 plants and close to 100 trees, it will be very nature-like when it’s done, but it’s not quite there.

“It’s looking good,” Mark McGough, a Landscape Designer with Green Oasis and a project manager of the project, said. “It’s going to take a little time for it to grow. All the plants and all the seed and everything, but in a couple years, that place is going to look awesome.”

Some Chippewa Falls citizens are ready to see what the final product looks like.

“The community is very excited about this, very proud of it,” Smith said. “I’m very confident we’re going to be successful getting this done.”

Restrooms will be completed next year and fountains will be put in as well. The fundraising will continue this month and into February.