Winter 2022/2023

The Tribune Building Project has always been about more than just redeveloping a physical building. It has been centered around resident input and involvement which seeks to empower residents and create a hub of inclusive economic growth for our community. It is an opportunity and a journey for the people of this community to have a voice in creating our shared future.

• Continuing the Journey: We often hear questions about the status of the project, and whether it is still moving forward. The answer is a resounding Yes! We have continued behind the scenes to advance the ideas and plans crafted throughout the public meeting process. This has included:
  • Exploring a Public Market concept for the first floor/restaurant/retail portion of the building
  • Pursuing additional funding sources
  • Identifying and engaging with prospective partners and stakeholders
  • Adapting existing plans to best suit our community’s changing needs

We remain encouraged by the many residents who continue to share with us their ideas and excitement for the project, and their commitment to helping revitalize this unique community space. We are continuing the journey with our collective ideas to make this project a reality.  

Fall 2022

• Work Behind the Scenes Continues: While the pandemic drastically impacted our ability to move forward quickly, we have continued behind the scenes to advance the ideas and plans crafted throughout the public meeting process. This includes:
  • pursuing additional funding sources;
  • identifying and engaging with prospective partners and stakeholders; and
  • adapting existing plans to best suit our community’s changing needs.

• Physical Construction Not Only Indicator of Progress: We are encouraged by the many residents who continue to share with us their ideas and excitement for the project, and their commitment to helping revitalize this unique community space.
• Assessing Space Usage within the Tribune Building: The Tribune Building Project has always been about more than the building. As ideas initiated at the Tribune public meetings continue to materialize around our community, we have been assessing space usage within the Tribune. A particularly exciting prospect is a Public Market space to feature multiple vendors. The goal of a Public Market is to open the scope of local businesses and entrepreneurs engaging with the Tribune Building, and to create an energetic space to serve as the economic and community hub that has been envisioned for the project from the very beginning. As we move closer to finalizing the plans for space usage and design, we look forward to updating the community about the roadmap for construction. 

Spring/Summer 2022

• Convenings Continue: Partner and prospective partner conversations continue with additional opportunities being explored.
• Funding Pursuit Continues: Additional funding sources continue to be actively pursued and will be shared when confirmation is received.
• Ideas Initiated at Tribune Public Meetings are Happening: The Tribune Building Project has always been about more than the building. A variety of ideas initiated at the Tribune public meetings are already being put to action; ideas include:
  • Makerspace at McMillan Memorial Library.
  • Culinary kitchen training opportunities through the Boys & Girls Club/YMCA and MSTC.
  • Home brewing club and collaborative opportunities, including 2 Doors Down Brewing Company which employs several members of the brewing club.
  • Meeting and training spaces in our community.
  • Arts and cultural classes offered in our community.
  • Outdoor performance space at the Central Wisconsin Cultural Center.
  • Farmer’s market located along the riverfront near the Tribune, and a Winter’s farmer’s market held in a downtown space.