Ground broken for new True Value store
Store owners, city officials, construction managers and other stakeholders involved in bringing to fruition the new Nelson True Value project on North Marquette Road manned the golden shovels April 1 during the ceremonial groundbreaking at the site. Plans are for the store to be open by October or November 2015. Pictured (from left) are Dan Kanis, Nelson True Value co-owner; Dave Hemmer, mayor; Aaron Kramer, city administrator; Scott Truehl, Friede and Associates co-owner; Duane Rogers, city redevelopment authority; Jacob Kanis, Nelson True Value partner; Mark Brueggen, Nelson True Value general manager; Jeff Behnke, Friede and Associates senior estimator; Marvin Bengtson, Friede and Associates project superintendent; Bob Standorf, chairman of the city redevelopment authority; Bob Moses, chamber of commerce CEO/president; Bob McDonald, Prairie du Chien Economic Development Corporation president; Steve Shulfer, Shulfer Architects CEO; and Gina Keenan, DNR remediation and redevelopment agent. (Photo by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
A retail project that’s been 10 years in the making finally broke ground last week in Prairie du Chien. Nelson True Value will relocate to a new state-of-the-art store on North Marquette Road upon its completion in October/November 2015. The site is located just north of Walgreens.
During the groundbreaking Wednesday afternoon, April 1, Owner Dan Kanis talked about the excitement of the day.
“This is overwhelming. I didn’t expect so many people here,” he said, acknowledging the 100 or so in attendance, including his family, business representatives and area citizens. “It shows how much of a community effort this really was. We’ve been at the same location for the past 40-plus years. There’s a little bit of emotion today, but we’re extremely excited to relocate and to be here on Marquette Road.”
Kanis thanked the city council, redevelopment authority, city administration, and others for their dedicated efforts in making this project a reality in Prairie du Chien.
“Throughout the past 10 years, it’s been optimism that made this happen today,” City Administrator Aaron Kramer stated. “This is going to be a beautiful project, not only for the downtown, but also for the highway coming into Prairie du Chien. It’s great for the employees and for the jobs to remain in Prairie du Chien, with the potential to bring even more jobs. Many people put countless hours into this project because they believed it was a good thing. We’ll see you all back here just before Christmas.”
Mayor Dave Hemmer also spoke, giving praise to Kanis, his management and staff. “I want to thank them for deciding to dive in and really take a chance on a great addition to our downtown,” he said.
Friede and Associates, of Reedsburg, is the main contractor on this building project.
