Stretching across portions of Eau Claire’s central core and surrounding neighborhoods, the Core Reinvestment District creates a framework for targeted reinvestment in places where aging properties, underused sites, and other redevelopment challenges have limited private investment. Rather than focusing on a single corridor or neighborhood, the district supports opportunities to improve housing, reinvest in commercial and mixed-use properties, and return underutilized sites to productive use. As redevelopment occurs, the focus is on strengthening existing neighborhoods, expanding opportunities for residents and businesses, and ensuring that new investment contributes to long-term community stability and shared benefit.
Across Eau Claire’s central core and surrounding neighborhoods, including the Shawtown area
In the early implementation phase, with incremental reinvestment expected across the district
Established neighborhoods and commercial corridors with targeted housing, infill, and reinvestment opportunities
The Core Reinvestment District is designed to strengthen established neighborhoods by directing reinvestment toward properties and sites where aging buildings, vacancy, underuse, or other barriers have limited private investment. Rather than pursuing redevelopment in one concentrated area, the plan creates a flexible framework for targeted improvements across multiple neighborhoods—supporting better housing, stronger commercial areas, improved infrastructure, and new investment that benefits the people and places already here.
Strengthen Existing Neighborhoods
Improve housing quality, support rehabilitation and compatible infill development, and address unsafe or obsolete properties in ways that contribute to long-term neighborhood stability.
Bring Underused Properties Back to Life
Create new opportunities for vacant, obsolete, or constrained residential and commercial sites through rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, redevelopment, and strategic site preparation.
Support Local Business and Neighborhood Activity
Encourage reinvestment in commercial and mixed-use properties that can bring services, jobs, businesses, and other activity closer to the neighborhoods they serve.
Make Reinvestment Work for the Community
Engage residents and stakeholders early, protect vulnerable households from displacement, and pair new investment with improvements to infrastructure, connectivity, and neighborhood quality of life.
New Opportunities Ahead
The Core Reinvestment District is entering its implementation phase, with redevelopment opportunities expected to emerge over time as properties are identified, evaluated, acquired, and prepared for reinvestment. Check back as new sites and project opportunities become available throughout the district.
Status: Available
The Center is a desirable area for a small residential community thanks to its location directly across from an expansive park, recreational trails, and short distance from an elementary school.
This site is ideal for a mixed residential development with 40-50 units.
Status: Available
The Heights offers a unique setting along the Chippewa River, with rare views, direct access to the restored High Bridge, and connections to a nearby recreational trail and large neighborhood park.
This site is ideal for a riverfront residential community offering 150 units in 3 buildings, 6 stories, 2 levels of parking, and 220 parking spaces.
Status: Available
The Riverside site sits along the Chippewa River, next to a recreational trail and close to an established brewery, with new multi-family residential development and neighborhood park nearby.
This site is ideal for a mixed-use building with 28,000 sq. ft. of commercial space on the ground floor and at least 1 additional level of residential units.
Share your ideas for available sites with the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division to explore how we can help bring your vision to life.