The Shawano Common Council signed off on a development agreement Sept. 9 that will allow a new entertainment venue to take over the site where a long vacant building has been at 205 N. Main St.
The development agreement allows the Shawano Redevelopment Authority to deed the building and property to The Spot for $1. It also provides a demolition allowance of up to $40,000 to The Spot through the use of Tax Increment District 9 funds once the project is completed. If the project is not finished by June 30, 2027, the property reverts back to the city by quitclaim deed.
The Spot is owned by Justin Penfold, co-founder of Sakom in Shawano, and El Tequila and El Jefe owner Sergio Hernandez.
The Spot will demolish a majority of the existing structure, leaving only the facade. A commercial storefront, two-story patio, exterior restrooms, game area, food trucks and bar will go on the site. In a presentation the RDA, Penfold said the project is expected to be open in time for Memorial Day.
“We’ve been looking at redevelopment of the space for quite some time,” said City Administrator Eddie Sheppard. “A lot of proposals have come and gone in the past. Anyone who wanted to reuse the building has run into seeing what the costs would be to fix it up and learned it’s not viable.”
There are two buildings connected at the site, and Sheppard said there has been difficulty in the past figuring out something that would keep at least some of the historic building alive.
“It’s been important to us to find someone who’s willing to understand that can be an expensive endeavor to separate those two buildings,” Sheppard said.
The plan is being pushed through now because Penfold seeks to get the demolition work done before cold weather sets in, according to Sheppard. That is the only way the venue can be open by next summer, he said.
Mayor Bruce Milavitz heard Penfold’s proposal to the RDA and put his support behind it.
“I think it’s a fantastic project, and I’m looking forward to seeing it,” Milavitz said.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
