A 1905 building in downtown Ripon, WI, was set to be torn down and replaced with a surface parking lot. The historic space had been empty for years, and the building was problematic because of a mold infestation and structural issues.
Instead of adding parking, the City of Ripon, the local Main Street program, and a downtown brewing company joined forces to return the building to productive use.
In all, a $1.5 million project allowed Knuth Brewing to expand its brewing capacity and create a restaurant. The second floor of the building is now an event space that routinely hosts 200 to 300 people each weekend for wedding receptions and other events.
“They’re doing events nearly every weekend,” says Craig Tebon, executive director of Ripon Main Street. “That brings more than 10,000 people a year into our downtown.”
A property that could have been razed is now assessed at more than $1 million, Tebon says. Meanwhile, Knuth Brewing distributes its beer to 120 bars and restaurants, meaning the facility is a hub of employment and economic activity.
“It’s a really good success story for us,” Tebon says.
More on the Ripon’s pivot from parking to economic development appears in the May issue of Downtown Idea Exchange.
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