Cannery Development District: Points of Improvement
Ty Randerson, photos by Ty Randerson |
Downtown Eau Claire has been defined (and redefined) by a plethora of development activity over the past decade. With the Confluence Project in the works, the Oxbow Hotel renovation, the Lismore renovation, and numerous projects like bridge replacements, we’re quite busy making our home an even nicer place to live. But infrastructure improvements and renovations aren’t all we need in Eau Claire.
In the spirit of renovation and reconstruction, John Stedman worked with UW-Eau Claire students to create a virtual map of the recently named "Cannery District" (formerly the West Bank Development District), highlighting what we’re doing well while showcasing some of the problems we can fix in the area.
I took my camera and Stedman’s map out into the Cannery District to showcase a few things they singled out.
1. Eau Claire Children’s Theater (Point 6)
The map highlights the Eau Claire Children’s Theater as a great resource for children to grow and stay entertained. For those who haven't been yet, the theater can be found on the corner of Maxon and Oxford.
2. Riverfront Opportunities (Point 5)
Right across from the street from the children's theater there’s a large open lot that isn’t being used by anything but blocks a great view of the riverfront. This open lot could be turned into space for a new business or be cleaned away to make use of the river.
3. Available River Space (Point 19)
This photo was taken on the other side of the brush in the previous photo, hiding behind the unused buildings and overgrown foliage along Oxford is a gorgeous view of the river.
4. Abandoned Buildings (Point 43)
Throughout the Cannery District there are several abandoned buildings. What was once a factory or store is now an unused blight on the landscape. Cleaning up and taking down these abandoned buildings makes way for new uses of the area including new business or public use.
5. Butterfly Garden (Point 22)
While these is a lot of work that can be done in the Cannery District there is still plenty of things to commend, big and small, including a butterfly garden on Cameron and Babcock.
