APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Demolition is starting on the Soldiers Square Parking Ramp in Downtown Appleton this week.
By November, the existing Soldiers Square Parking Ramp at 120 S. Oneida St. will be demolished and by next Labor Day, a whole new parking ramp will take its place.
“Why does this parking ramp need to be redone?” asked Fox 11.
“It’s a simple question, this parking ramp is needed for a simple fact as we as a YMCA can be here for years to come,” replied Tom Wendt, Executive Director of Appleton’s Downtown YMCA.
Wendt says the YMCA of the Fox Cities needs more accessible parking.
“It was past its useful life and we did everything we could to invest in it but now we are investing in our future since we know we want to be downtown for many years,” said Wendt.
The existing ramp dates back to 1967 and has over 400 stalls, the new ramp will hold 311.
“Why is it going to be smaller?” said Fox 11 News.
“This parking ramp that used to be there was used for several purposes before and based on the cost and based on what we think the downtown need will be futuristically for our YMCA we felt like we needed to build it effectively and cost effectively,” said Wendt.
The new ramp will cost $7.5 million.
Paid for through the YMCA and donations.
For the time being, the YMCA members will use a temporary surface parking lot on land owned by U.S. Venture.
“Do you know if there is any update from U.S. Venture on what they’re going to do with the land once the parking structure is done?” asked Fox 11.
“Yeah no idea, what U.S. Venture’s plans are futuristically,” replied Wendt.
Fox 11 reached out to U.S. Venture but did not hear back.
Access to downtown businesses will be maintained during demolition.
The new ramp will be cashless, only credit card payments will be accepted.
