APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – We’re getting a first look at the full design of the Fox Cities Exhibition Center.
On Tuesday morning, photos and video of the design were unveiled to a group of stakeholders.
The Fox Cities Exhibition Center has 30,000 square feet of indoor space, including 7,300 square feet of flexible pre-function space that can also serve as an expansion of the exhibition center space along with additional meeting rooms and a main floor welcome area.
It also has 17,000 square feet of outdoor pedestrian plaza space, which will provide additional programmable options for much of the year.
Officials say the signature element of the building is an 82 foot tall LED lit tower. It symbolizes ties to 1882 when the first hydroelectric power station in the country at the Atlas Pulp and Paper mill along the Fox River in Appleton began operation. It powered two paper mills and a home along the riverfront.
Appleton Mayor Tim Hanna says the city is also planning to renovate Jones Park in conjunction with the opening of the expo center, slated for the fall of 2017.
Here is a timeline of for the Fox Cities Exhibition Center:
- September 29, 2016 — Groundbreaking
- November 2016 — Christmas tree lighting event
- Fall 2016-Winter 2017 — Site fence, permanent art installation
- Spring 2017 — Stakeholder, community and media tours
- Spring 2017 — Beam signing
- March 2017 — Topping-out ceremony
- Fall 2017 — Dedication event: building dedication, ribbon cutting and open house
