Expect Altoona’s River Prairie Development – which has gradually been filling in for several years – to really come alive in 2017, especially when it comes to public spaces. “It seems like all of a sudden there’s a ton of stuff happening, and there is, but it’s a plan long in the making,” explained Altoona City Administrator Mike Golat.

In fact, a tax increment financing district was created way back in 2001 to help spur development around the interchange of U.S. Highway 53 and River Prairie Drive on Altoona’s west side. In 2017, the development’s northwest quadrant will see a flurry of commercial activity: Westconsin Credit Union will open a branch; two eateries – Za 51 and Cowboy Jack’s – are expected to get things cooking; the 51-unit Prairie Place apartments will open; and other office buildings and apartments are in the works.

On top of that, public spaces in River Prairie will begin to blossom this year. Construction is ongoing for the Prairie Event Center, a 9,500-square-foot facility that will be able to accommodate about 250 people for weddings and other events. Late last year, a manmade stream was constructed; in the coming year, it will begin to flow. Other elements that will be created in 2017 include a playground, a splash pad, and two performance areas, one able to accommodate 4,000 people, the other 2,000. Expect a “soft opening” for the park facilities late this year after the city gets policies on renting, alcohol, and other matters in place, Golat said.

“It’s clearly a really exciting time in the City of Altoona, but it’s also a time where we’re trying to be really deliberate that it’s done very well as we transition from the construction to the programming,” Golat said.

“We’re looking for good partners on music, events, rentals, and we’ve been reaching out to different people in the community on those things. We’ve got to do it right. It’s a big investment by the taxpayers, and we need to have a good return with respect to making it a really fun place to be.”

Golat envisions the park being used by outside groups for events and concerts – something akin to Volume One’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series in Phoenix Park, perhaps – as well as being a spot for weddings. “We think this will be one of the premiere wedding venues in the area,” he said. “The event center is going to have an indoor-outdoor bar and a really nice patio space.”

There’s also been talk of creating a farmers market, and trails already have been built to provide access to the nearby Eau Claire River. “When people see what this space offers, the opportunities are going to be endless,” Golat said.

Next: New Ways to Play