WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsChippewa Falls riverfront to get big makeover

Chippewa Falls riverfront to get big makeover

Chippewa Falls (WQOW) - Another Chippewa Falls project will get some help from stimulus money.

For the past decade Chippewa Falls has been working on plans to restore its riverfront. The plans included replacing and upgrading sewer lines along with putting in walking trails and much more. 

The project will cost about $3 million and on Thursday Congressman Dave Obey gave the city a check for $600,000 to get the ball rolling.

"If you rework your downtown, if you create some new venues, not only can you make an attractive place for people, but you can make an attractive place for business, for restaurants, for other types of commerce to come as well," says Senator Pat Kreitlow, (D) 23rd District.

Said Congressman Dave Obey, (D) 7th Congressional District, of the project, "It's going to turn an eyesore into an asset. It's going to be a great place for people in the community to gather."

The project was supposed to take 15 years to finish but with the help of the stimulus money it should only take 5 years. About 55 people are expected to be hired for the project.