ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Nearly 10 years after Menards closed up shop on Waube Lane, next to I-41 in Ashwaubenon, there’s finally a plan to bring new life to the site.
“It was an eyesore for the longest time,” said Brittany Siolka, General Manager of Country Inn and Suites by Radisson, which is across the street from the site. “No cars going in or out and then the gas station closed down right next to it, so that pulled out a lot of business.”
Combining the old Menards, gas station with Erbert and Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop, Microtel Hotel, and Allegra Print and Imaging sites, Bellin Health plans to build a five-story, 262,000 square foot surgery center.
“I think it will work really well,” said Aaron Schuette, Community Development Director for Ashwaubenon. “It has great visibility from 41. It really cleans up a parcel of land that really needed it.”
Bellin Health told FOX 11 it wasn’t ready to do an interview about the project, but a statement was provided.
“Bellin Health is in the process of finalizing key details of the proposal for an Ambulatory Surgery Center in Ashwaubenon, as outlined by the Ashwaubenon Site Plan Review Committee meeting agenda for November 2, 2021,” reads the Bellin statement. “We are not able to comment further at this time, but we look forward to sharing information with the press and public very soon.”
“They just knocked down the buildings, so I’m thinking they want to get started really soon, but everything kind of depends on timing as far as when they get materials, approvals from the state, so on and so forth,” said Schuette.
The sooner the better for area businesses like Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.
“We don’t see a whole lot of hospitals in the stadium district for sure, especially on this side of the highway, so it’s going to bring more business coming in for guests staying, seeing their family members the day before surgery, the day after surgery, stuff like that,” said Siolka.
Ashwaubenon’s site plan review committee will take up the proposal on November 2nd.
Documents submitted to the village show the first two floors will be built out. The top three floors will be constructed, but there are no plans for them yet.
