Stevens Point exploring downtown housing development along Wisconsin River

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) - The city of Stevens Point issued a request for proposals Monday to develop a downtown lot along the Wisconsin River.

The former Edgewater Manor site south of Clark Street currently has no timeline. The city is just fielding proposals from developers to take on building at the site.

“It’s not a rush to get something done. What we want to do is we want to get something done that fits and that is a benefit to the city as a whole,” Mayor Mike Wiza said. “So, just rushing to put something up there for tax money is not how we operate.”

The site is not dedicated to specific income-level housing, but Mayor Wiza said he welcomes “affordable” housing.

There would be incentives for the developer to create residences in the area.

“This is an Opportunity Zone, so there’s tax credits if the project fits within the scope of that Opportunity Zone,” Wiza said.

He said that building and diversifying residences in downtown will bring more foot traffic and customers to area businesses.

“One of the things that I’ve been a big proponent of is having people live in the core of our city,” he said...

   ...more

Leo’s notes: Stevens Point’s decision to carefully solicit proposals for the Edgewater Manor riverfront site is the kind of deliberate, community-minded approach we need more of. By prioritizing housing—especially if it includes affordable and workforce units—over a rush for quick tax revenue, the city is signaling that long-term vibrancy matters more than short-term gain. Pairing residential growth with Opportunity Zone incentives could not only ease local housing pressures but also strengthen the economic heartbeat of downtown, ensuring businesses thrive alongside a more diverse and sustainable neighborhood.