MAKIN' MOVES. Local biz Ambient Inks received the go-ahead on a new space for them to call home. (Submitted image)

A downtown Eau Claire business that creates screen-printed shirts and other merchandise for everyone from big-name musical acts to local businesses wants to build a new home in Eau Claire's Cannery District.

Ambient Inks, which is currently at 524 Water St., hopes to increase its production capacity by a factor of three by building a 45,000-square-foot, two-story facility on Oxford Avenue, near the Brewing Projekt and the Chippewa River.

The company received the go-ahead from the city's Redevelopment Authority on June 15 to enter into a 90-day negotiation period with the city to develop the site. Terms of the deal – including the cost of the property and the timeline for construction – will be determined during that period.

Ambient Inks was founded in a Menomonie garage in 2009 by Tim Brunner and Aaron Brice. Clients have included the likes of Lizzo, Bon Iver, John Prine, Sylvan Esso, Iron & Wine, Leinenkugel's, and Charlie Berens. Over the years, they have grown to 43 employees, and expect to create 20-30 new jobs through the expansion, the company told the RDA.

The new building would house Ambient Inks' offices, showroom, production area, and warehouse, as well as community-oriented spaces such as an art gallery, a small venue, retail space, and a screen-printing studio available to community members. The building will be designed by Shelter Architects, which has worked on local projects such as the Oxbow Hotel and The Lakely, Token Jewelry, and River Prairie Wealth Partners' headquarters.