The site of what was known as the Brillion Iron Works for close to a century is at a crossroads in its history. The majority of the former foundry buildings are being torn down paving way for future redevelopment. Demolition on the buildings started last week. Ayres Associates is overseeing the demolition and has contracted Brandenburg. Demolition is scheduled to be finished by April at the latest but is likely to be complete before that deadline.
The Brillion Iron Works closed in the fall of 2016. Ariens Company has worked with the city for more than two years to redevelop the property and has established the LLC, Brillion Works.
“We’ve been working with Ayres for a good solid year,” Brillion Public Works Director Andy Geiger said. “The applications for grant dollars and that type of thing is the next step because it’s definitely not going to happen out of the city’s pocketbook, or one pocketbook all by itself.”
Grants and the environmental TID that was established by the city have helped cover the cost of demolition. Geiger meets with Ayres and Brandenburg weekly, and monthly with the Brillion Works LLC group. The long-range vision for the site that will be spaced out over the next five to 20 years could include commercial and retail spaces, businesses, residential areas, new roads, and parks.