The Wausau Opportunity Zone, Inc. (WOZ), a subsidiary of the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership, Ltd., finalized the purchase of the Wausau Center Mall from Rialto Capital Management on February 4, 2020. HOM Furniture and two parking ramps were not part of the acquisition. The purchase was funded by a pair of local foundations, the Dwight and Linda Davis Foundation and the Judd S. Alexander Foundation, in partnership with the City of Wausau.
The philanthropies have a long, credible history of partnering with local government and community organizations to support projects that improve Wausau’s quality of life and economic vitality. Projects include riverfront improvement and Riverfront Park, Arts Block/Grand Theater, The 400 Block, the world-class kayak course, YMCA expansion, Wausau Area Public Schools, North Central Technical College, Boys & Girls Club, South East Asian refugee ESL program and many other community assets.