Haymarket Plaza
New Plaza Creates a Community Gathering Space Along Eau Claire's Historic Riverfront
Development Completed in 2021
Photo by Megan Zabel Holmes Creative Studio
Tucked between the Pablo Center and the Chippewa River, Haymarket Plaza has completely transformed the way people experience downtown Eau Claire. This former narrow, overlooked patch of riverfront is now a vibrant public space where Eau Claire’s history, culture, and natural beauty come together, and it doesn’t just look good—it plays a key role in connecting our riverfront trail system, supporting local events, and creating a welcoming place to relax, explore, and gather.
Before it became a go-to gathering spot, the site of Haymarket Plaza was mostly a pass-through space. Bordered by the Chippewa River, the Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge, and the Pablo Center, it had potential, but not much purpose.
That all changed when Eau Claire’s riverfront started coming alive. With Phoenix Park thriving and the Pablo Center beginning to draw foot traffic, the City of Eau Claire and its Redevelopment Authority saw another opportunity: Why not create a central plaza that honors our city’s roots while adding something fresh and modern to downtown?
Backed by public investment and strong community partnerships, Haymarket Plaza was designed to do exactly that.
• 2016-2017: Planning and early design discussions
• 2018: Formal design
• 2019-2020: Construction and buildout
• 2021: Official opening
Project Cost: $2.4 million
This includes site preparation and grading, trail and pedestrian improvements, fountain and water features, public art and interpretive signage, landscaping, lighting, and seating, and plaza paving and surface infrastructure.
From the start, the vision for Haymarket Plaza was clear: create a public space that feels uniquely Eau Claire. That meant honoring the past, embracing creativity, and making it easy to connect with the riverfront and each other.
1. Create a Signature Gathering Place Next to the Pablo Center
The plaza was designed to extend the Pablo Center outdoors—offering space for small outdoor concerts, festivals, pop-up events, or just everyday hangouts.
2. Celebrate the Haymarket Neighborhood’s Rich History
Design elements throughout the space give a respectful nod to the area’s industrial and commercial past, bringing its stories to life through architecture and public art.
3. Improve Walkability & River Access
One of the biggest goals was to better connect downtown with the river. Haymarket Plaza links Phoenix Park to downtown businesses and the Grand Avenue footbridge, seamlessly tying together Eau Claire’s riverfront trails.
4. Support Culture, Tourism, & Downtown Life
Whether you’re visiting from out of town or just strolling through on your lunch break, the plaza adds energy to downtown and enhances the overall experience of being here.
5. Blend Art, Nature, & Infrastructure into One Space
Above all, Haymarket Plaza was meant to be more than a sidewalk or shortcut. It was designed to be a destination, a place where the city’s creative energy and natural landscape meet.
Project Features
Since opening in 2021, Haymarket Plaza has quickly become one of the most loved public spaces in Eau Claire. It’s functional, beautiful, and deeply tied to the city’s sense of place.
Riverfront Trail Connections
A core purpose of the plaza and the neighboring bridge is to improve pedestrian and bike connectivity between Phoenix Park, downtown, and the Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge. This feature completes a critical link in Eau Claire’s riverfront corridor and supports walkability citywide.
Outdoor Performance & Event Space
The open-air venue enhances Eau Claire’s cultural life by supporting concerts, festivals, and public gatherings. As an extension of the Pablo Center, it expands programming capacity and creates space for community expression.
Public Art & Storytelling
Art installations and historical markers bring the site’s identity to life, honoring Eau Claire’s lumber and trading past while celebrating its modern creative spirit. These features ground the space in local history and culture.
Fountain & Water Features
A central interactive fountain provides year-round interest, doubling as a playful splash pad in the summer and a glowing sculptural element in winter. It adds visual energy, seasonal charm, and a reason for families to linger.
Natural Landscaping & Seating
Native plantings and flexible seating options make the plaza welcoming and comfortable for people of all ages. This softens the hardscape and encourages everyday use, not just event attendance.
Flexible Open Space
Beyond designated seating structures, the open plaza areas allow for casual gatherings, pop-up events, outdoor classes, or food trucks—making the space adaptable and responsive to community needs.
Proximity to Culture & Commerce
Its central location connects people directly to the Pablo Center, Haymarket Landing, downtown shops, and restaurants, making it a vital hub of civic, cultural, and economic activity.
Seasonal Lighting & Ambiance
Thoughtful lighting adds beauty, safety, and atmosphere, especially in the evenings or during seasonal events. It turns the plaza into a four-season destination.
Bike-Friendly Design
Access to trails and bike racks encourages active transportation and connects Eau Claire’s growing bike network through a major downtown node.
Wayfinding & Connectivity Signage
Clear signage enhances the visitor experience by pointing out nearby landmarks, parks, and businesses—supporting both tourism and local exploration.
Wi-Fi & Tech Infrastructure
Event-ready tech elements like wi-fi access and electrical hookups make the plaza more usable for performances and gatherings, although these features tend to support rather than define the space.
Stormwater Management Integration
Sustainable design elements like permeable pavers and native landscaping reduce runoff and protect the Chippewa River, an important but more behind-the-scenes environmental benefit.
Economic Impact of the Project
Sustainable design elements like permeable pavers and native landscaping reduce runoff and protect the Chippewa River, an important but more behind-the-scenes environmental benefit.
- Increased Foot Traffic for Local Businesses: Whether folks are here for a concert, a stroll, or just passing through on the riverfront trail, Haymarket Plaza generates consistent foot traffic. That means more eyes on storefronts, more stops for coffee or lunch, and more support for downtown retailers and restaurants.
- Catalyst for Private Investment: The success of Haymarket Plaza didn’t happen in a vacuum. It helped create the right conditions for private investment. Projects like Haymarket Landing, Block 7, and The Lismore Hotel have all benefited from being close to a beautiful, functional public space.
- Boosted Event Capacity & Cultural Programming: As an extension of the Pablo Center, the plaza opened the door to more outdoor performances, community events, and pop-up programming. That kind of activity brings people into the city center and drives local spending.
- Year-Round Activation of Downtown: Thanks to thoughtful design and seasonal features such as lighting and a sculptural fountain, the plaza stays lively throughout the year—not just in the summer. That’s a big plus for local businesses that depend on steady, year-round foot traffic.
- Positive ROI on Public Infrastructure Investment: At around $2.4 million, the project was a relatively small public investment with a big payoff. From beautification and access improvements to increased tourism and property values, the plaza offers a solid return for taxpayers and stakeholders alike.
- Enhanced Tourism Appeal: The plaza is now part of the larger story we tell about Eau Claire—a creative city on the water with a thriving downtown. For visitors exploring the Pablo Center, Phoenix Park, or the trails, it’s one more reason to stay longer and come back again.
- Strengthened Property Values: As the public realm improves, so does the value of private property. The plaza’s landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian access have added appeal to nearby buildings, strengthening the downtown real estate market and the city’s tax base.
- Improved Safety & Public Perception: Bringing light, people, and purpose to a previously underused space has helped shift perceptions. The plaza encourages lingering and strolling—making downtown feel not just livelier, but more approachable and safer.
- Event-Driven Economic Activity: Even modest events in the plaza bring economic ripple effects. Food trucks, vendors, and local shops all benefit when crowds gather, creating short bursts of revenue that support small businesses.
- Support for Outdoor Work & Remote Culture: With public Wi-Fi, shade, and a peaceful riverfront setting, the plaza offers an outdoor option for remote workers and students looking to get out of the house. It’s one more way downtown has adapted to changing work habits.
- Boosted Civic Pride & Placemaking: Maybe the hardest thing to measure—but one of the most important—is how the plaza makes people feel. It’s a place that reflects Eau Claire’s character and invites people to feel connected to their city.
Haymarket Plaza isn’t just a pretty spot by the river. It’s a place where Eau Claire, Wisconsin’s stories, landscapes, and people come together right at the confluence of culture and community. No matter if you’re attending a concert, meeting a friend, or simply passing through, the plaza invites you to slow down, take it all in, and feel at home in the heart of the city.