BRILLION, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After being shut down for nearly two years there are plans underway to redevelop the former Brillion Iron Works property.
The facility closed in 2016, which left more than 300 people without a job.
Earlier this month the Ariens Company bought the property.
The company said in a press release that some of their initial plans include light manufacturing, commercial, and residential areas.
Residents have felt the looming effect of the vacant building.
“Once it shut down it became kind of a ghost town here,” Keith Flanders told FOX 11 News. “Living in a small town like this, you know a lot of people.”
“Some people kind of tighten their belt, they didn’t do the flowers quite as much as they previously have done only because they weren’t quite sure exactly what was going to happen to them,” said Colette Schroth-Thurwachter, the owner of Schroth Brillion Floral and Gifts, which is two blocks away from the facility.
The company has a five-year redevelopment plan, according to Brillion Mayor Gary Deiter.
“Iron works closing affected us a lot, as far as our revenue comes in and tax base comes in. With the help of Ariens Company, we’ll keep that tax base up,” Deiter told Fox 11 News.
Ariens Company is hoping to establish a third manufacturing facility in the city as it currently is renovating one of the buildings on site.
