Blackhawk Junction evolving into housing, commercial court
Things are happening in the development of the current Blackhawk Junction property in Prairie du Chien. Last week, the former True Value greenhouse area was flattened and asbestos abatement started inside what remains standing of the one-time Commerce Court strip mall. By Dec. 1, the plan is for that structure to be completely gone. In its place will eventually be multi-family housing and garage parking (as pictured in these renderings). Groundbreaking is expected no later than June 2022. The building that houses Mississippi Meats, Suppz Gym, Royal Bank, etc. will eventually be razed as well to make way for commercial development. There is a slight chance that portion of the project could see groundbreaking in 2022, but plans are that work must start no later than August 2025.
By Correne Martin
Evolution of the new Prairie Bluffs Court is underway at the site previously known as Blackhawk Junction, or Commerce Court, in Prairie du Chien.
The vacant building that formerly housed True Value will be demolished by Dec. 1, according to Prairie du Chien city officials. The blacktopped parking spaces west of that strip, over to the median containing several light poles, will also be ground up and prepared for future development.
Last week, the enclosed, paved area that once housed the hardware/home improvement store’s greenhouse was razed. Asbestos abatement also began last week within what remains of the former shopping mall.
City Planner Garth Frable said a bid to extend sewer and water main into the site will be awarded on Oct. 5, and the goal is for this work to be done by the end of 2021.
“At that point, the southern 4.25 acres of the entire site (closest to Wisconsin Street) will be ready for redevelopment for multi-family housing in two phases. The first phase must break ground no later than June 1, 2022, and the second phase no later than August 2025,” he stated. “Each phase will result in three buildings (48 housing units each, for a total of 96 units).”
A private developer is tasked with the housing development, so the city will not be involved with bids for the construction of that, Frable said.
“It will be market rate housing—not income based housing,” City Administrator Chad Abram pointed out. “It will be similar to the condos on the south end of town. Each unit will have it’s own individual space, with its own entrance and own ingress and egress.”
A site concept rendering shows a private drive to the condos/apartments entering off Dousman Street directly to the south of where Suppz Gym’s front door is currently located. That driveway will run straight, the length of the site, and split the housing and commercial developments.
Frable explained, the second phase or north half of the project (closer to Blackhawk Avenue) is slated for commercial redevelopment. Though the city is still working out details about the layout and timeline with potential businesses, 2022 could possibly see this part of the project begin as well. The plan commission and city redevelopment authority intend for it to begin no later than 2025, however.
City and economic development meetings regarding the site’s future have noted that Mississippi Meats and Royal Bank are both likely rebuilding their businesses into the new commercially-developed side of Prairie Bluffs Court. In addition, there are several other existing and new businesses in talks to locate there, but no official announcements are being made on the preliminary plans.
The current structure that’s anchored by Mississippi Meats, Suppz and Royal Bank will remain until the commercial development occurs and then it will be razed.
