Block 7
Former Vacant Lot Combines Housing, Local Food, & Walkable Design in Downtown Eau Claire
Development Completed in 2024
For years, a city-owned parking lot sat empty in the middle of downtown Eau Claire just steps from Phoenix Park and its two nearby rivers. It wasn’t much to look at, but it held big potential.
After multiple failed concepts, that same site has finally been transformed into Block 7: a vibrant, block centered on local food, housing, and people-first design. This redevelopment wasn’t just about adding new commercial and residential buildings. Block 7 filled in a key piece of downtown with intention—supporting small businesses, bringing local options to a food desert, and creating modern, pet-friendly places for people to live and gather, all while further strengthening the connection between downtown and the riverfront.
Block 7 sits between Galloway Street and Riverfront Terrace in the heart of the North Barstow District. While the surrounding area had been steadily redeveloped thanks to projects like Phoenix Park and its adjacent neighborhood, the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire, and the JAMF and Royal Credit Union headquarters, this particular site had remained a surface parking lot.
City leaders and the Eau Claire Redevelopment Authority (RDA) saw it as a rare opportunity: a centrally located site that could continue carrying the momentum of downtown redevelopment forward. With input from local partners, the City put together a plan focused on mixed-use development and housing options, eventually developed into B7 Flats by Moeding Partners and, ultimately, were in support of advancing Eau Claire’s growing local food scene too when Menomonie Market Food Co-op came forward with plans to relocate their existing Eau Claire store to the south side of the lot in 2021.
• 2017-2018: Community conversations and initial planning
• 2019: Redevelopment plan approved by the City of Eau Claire and the RDA
• 2020-2021: Site preparation, environmental work, and infrastructure improvements
• 2022-2023: Construction of Menomonie Market Food Co-op
• 2023: Official opening of Menomonie Market Food Co-op and construction of B7 Flats Apartments
• 2024: Official opening of B7 Flats Apartments
Project Cost: $30.5 million
This includes land preparation and environmental cleanup, public infrastructure improvements, design and construction of two mixed-use buildings, and green infrastructure and landscaping.
The vision for Block 7 came together around five key goals, all designed to align with the broader future the City imagines for its downtown:
1. Transform a City-Owned Lot into a Mixed-Use Urban Hub
Turn an empty parking lot into a destination with new buildings, street-level activity, and public spaces that bring more people downtown.
2. Support Local Food Businesses & Entrepreneurs
Bring a larger food cooperative to downtown, providing vital support to food vendors, restaurants, and culinary startups and giving local talent the tools to thrive and grow right in the heart of the city adjacent to the already popular farmers market.
3. Deliver New Downtown Housing Options
Add more apartment types and price points to support Eau Claire’s population growth and help more people live closer to where they work and play.
4. Embrace Walkability & Human-Scale Design
Continue designing the neighborhood around people, not cars, prioritizing wide sidewalks, inviting public spaces, and buildings that fit naturally into the surrounding environment.
5. Strengthen Connections to the Riverfront & Trail System
Make it easy for people to move between the North Barstow Street neighborhoods, Phoenix Park, and the Eau Claire trail system by foot or by bike.
Photos by B7 Flats
Project Features
Over the years, Block 7 has taken shape as a new kind of place in downtown Eau Claire—where people can live, shop, gather, and connect, all just steps from the riverfront.
A New Grocery Store
A major anchor of the site, the new Menomonie Market Food Co-op building brought a full-service, locally owned grocery store to downtown. It has improved food access, supported local producers, and added a daily-use destination that serves both residents and visitors.
Additional Downtown Housing Options
The modern apartments offered at B7 Flats expand downtown housing and support Eau Claire’s goals for a more vibrant, livable core. By offering a range of unit types geared toward pet owners, B7 Flats helps more people live within walking distance of jobs, trails, shops, and entertainment.
Walkable Streets & Public Plazas
The site’s people-first design includes wide sidewalks, inviting plazas, and outdoor seating that make it easier (and more enjoyable) to walk, gather, and spend time downtown. These spaces extend the community energy of Phoenix Park into a more urban setting.
Trail Connectivity & Bike Amenities
Direct links to the Chippewa River State Trail and other bike-friendly features make Block 7 a hub for active transportation—whether you’re commuting, exploring, or heading to the farmer’s market next door.
Shared Outdoor Space for Residents & Visitors
In addition to street front seating outside the co-op, both Menomonie Market Food Co-op and B7 Flats offer smaller outdoor gathering spaces that include comfortable spots for relaxing or meeting up—helping create an environment that feels social, safe, and community-centered.
Energy-Efficient Building Features
Sustainable choices in both buildings like energy-efficient HVAC, windows, and lighting reduce utility costs and environmental impact, benefiting both residents and operators over the long term.
Accessible Design
The site’s accessible design ensures that public and private spaces are inclusive and usable by everyone, with features like curb ramps, smooth surfaces, and intuitive wayfinding.
Sustainable Stormwater & Landscaping Features
Green infrastructure such as bioswales and native plantings manage rainwater on-site while adding natural beauty. These elements support Eau Claire’s environmental goals and improve the site’s resilience.
Job Creation & Local Hiring
The construction and operation of Block 7 created jobs in food service, retail, and property management, helping the local economy and workforce development efforts.
Public Art Integration
Creative elements like murals or sculpture opportunities add personality and local identity to the site, reinforcing Eau Claire’s reputation as a city that celebrates art and placemaking.
Green Roof & Stormwater Collection Features
Additional behind-the-scenes sustainability features, such as green roofs and rainwater systems, quietly boost the project’s eco-performance, even if they’re not visible to the casual passerby.
Photos by Market & Johnson
Economic Impact of the Project
Block 7 put people and prosperity first, and the project is already making a meaningful impact on Eau Claire’s economy and quality of life.
- Increased Property Tax Base: Turning a parking lot into mixed-use buildings significantly increased the taxable value of the site and helped generate more revenue for local schools and city services.
- Attracted More Than $30 Million in Private Investment: The project brought in substantial private funding alongside public support, showing strong confidence in the future of downtown Eau Claire.
- Leveraged Public Investment for Long-Term Returns: Tax increment financing (TIF) helped make the project possible, unlocking private dollars and setting the stage for long-term benefits that far exceed the initial public investment.
- Expanded Downtown Housing Supply: With new apartments now available, Block 7 is helping meet the growing demand for downtown living and supporting workforce retention.
- Enhanced Downtown’s Appeal to Talent & Employers: The development’s housing, great food, and active public spaces are making downtown Eau Claire more attractive to both employees and the businesses looking to hire them.
- Spurred Additional Development Activity: The success of Block 7 is already drawing attention to nearby parcels, encouraging even more investment in the area.
- Stimulated Nearby Business Growth: With more people living and spending time downtown, surrounding businesses are seeing a boost in foot traffic and customer activity.
- Created Opportunities for Local Food Entrepreneurs: Block 7 is giving food businesses room to grow by offering flexible space and a central location where talent can thrive.
- Encouraged Walkable, Car-Free Lifestyles: Pedestrian-first design is helping Eau Claire stay competitive as a livable, forward-thinking city, especially for younger generations.
- Filled a Long-Empty Parcel with Community Value: What used to be just a place to park is now a place to live, connect, and celebrate everything that makes downtown Eau Claire unique.
Block 7 reflects Eau Claire’s vision for a downtown that’s people-first, locally inspired, and built to grow with the community. From new homes and shared spaces to food businesses and riverfront access, the project is helping shape a vibrant, connected future. Like Phoenix Park before it, Block 7 is part of what makes downtown Eau Claire not just a destination, but a place to call home.