Project on North Main Street in Waupaca
By Robert Cloud
Work is nearly complete on Danes Hall Plaza on North Main Street in downtown Waupaca.
“The rocks have been placed,” said Aimee Klames Auer, the hall’s business manager. “The cement has been poured. We’re now filling in with landscaping and smaller rocks and we’re shopping for furniture and waiting for asphalt, lighting and railings.”
Auer spoke to the Waupaca Common Council when it met Sept. 19.
“One of our major goals was to transition from our historic building into Rasmussen Park,” she said.
Built in 1894, Danes Hall is not currently easily accessible to disabled visitors. The new plaza is making the building handicapped accessible.
“I’ve had people use it already that couldn’t access the building before in their scooters,” Auer said. “It’s also allowing public access to Rasmussen Park.”
When finished by the spring of 2024, the plaza will be used for outdoor dining and public events at Danes Hall.
There are also plans to place anchors to erect an artificial Christmas tree in time for Waupaca’s Yuletide Trail event this year.
“We’re hoping it will be a great addition to such events as Halloween on Main,” Auer said, regarding the plaza.
Mayor Brian Smith said he has heard numerous comments about the plaza and how it contributes to the city’s ongoing efforts to improve Main Street.
According to City Administrator Aaron Jenson, the project was made possible by a $50,000 Wisconsin Economic Development grant.
Gregory Grohman, the grant writer for the city, school district and Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce, obtained the grant.
“The city also contributed through a land donation and our street crew’s in-kind work in the demolition of the previous road,” Jenson said.