Riverbend and Core Redevelopment in Eau Claire

July 28, 2026

Leader Telegram article by Matthew Baughman:
https://www.leadertelegram.com/news/ec-city-council-give-first-hearing-of-compost-ordinance-approve-redevelopment-districts/article_e55e259d-7035-421f-8f2f-6dcab79ca94d.html

Eau Claire City Council voted on two redevelopment districts Tuesday:
the Riverbend Redevelopment District and an area identified as the Core
Reinvestment Redevelopment District.

The Riverbend Redevelopment District looks to foster redevelopment in
the Southwest area of the city, containing locations like the former Sacred
Heart Hospital, now the 900 District, and the Shopko Center.

With the Core Reinvestment Redevelopment District Plan, the focus would
be put on vacant and blighted properties downtown and neighborhoods
west of downtown. The city says they would take a “scalpel” approach,
addressing plots and scattered properties which would benefit from
redevelopment.

Following public comments from previous meetings and questions from
City Council concerning displacement of current residents, Community
Development Director Aaron White said much of the focus on the
Riverbend district will be on the commercial opportunities. In any effort
that relocates residents, municipalities are required by state law to
accommodate and reimburse displacement.

An amendment was also proposed for both districts and introduced by
Council Member Aaron Brewster addressing concerns of displacement. It
reads, in part, that “Development in the District shall be informed by

principles of Equitable Development, which for purposes of the Plan shall
be understood as a planning framework designed to revitalize
neighborhoods without displacing or excluding long-term residents.”

Council member Werthmann said, “It’s something that I think will help us,
as these development districts get off the ground, to think about how we
revitalize and energize and bring in more investment, while at the same
time investing in the homeowners that live there.”

During public comment on Monday, Susan Wolfgram, co-chair of the
JONAH Affordable Housing Task Force, said they have appreciated the
accessibility and willingness to partner for the best interests of the
community.

“Equitable development principles focus on mitigating involuntary
displacement by protecting vulnerable residents, preserving affordable
housing and ensuring that community members guide neighborhood and
district improvements,” she said. “These strategies aim to balance
economic investment with community stability and cultural preservation. A
community can generate needed tax base wealth and prevent
gentrification; however, the prevention guardrails must be intentional.”

Members of City Council unanimously approved the amendment and both
redevelopment district plans on Tuesday.

Work on the redevelopment districts continued in the evening with a City
Council work session following their legislative meeting.