Students tour the Foundry on 3rd

This week, the Chamber's Lukas Lindner had the privilege of touring the Foundry on 3rd project in downtown Wausau alongside students from D.C. Everest Senior High School's Construction Trades program. Students from the Wausau School District toured earlier this month (see the photo above and read more about the tour on DowntownRefresh.com).

This experience was more than a walk through a construction site, it was a glimpse into the future of our city and the promising careers awaiting these young individuals.

The Foundry on 3rd, developed by T. Wall Enterprises, is a transformative mixed-use development rising on the former site of the Wausau Center Mall. Stevens Construction is the general contractor on the project. Once completed, the building will offer 153 modern apartments, over 17,000 square feet of commercial space, and amenities like a fitness center, co-working spaces and an outdoor plaza. The project is on track for completion by November 2025, with significant interest from future tenants and leasing coming soon.

Walking through the site, the students observed firsthand the collaboration between architects, engineers and skilled tradespeople. They saw how their classroom lessons translate into real-world applications, from framing structures to installing utilities. This hands-on exposure is invaluable, igniting a passion for building and design that textbooks alone can't provide.

Beyond the bricks and mortar, the Foundry on 3rd symbolizes a commitment to revitalizing downtown Wausau. The project aims to attract residents, support local businesses and foster a sense of community by replacing a mall in decline with a dynamic living and commercial space.

This tour was more than an educational outing for the students—it was an invitation to be part of Wausau's ongoing transformation. As they consider their future paths, they now have a tangible example of how their skills can contribute to shaping the city's landscape.

Witnessing the convergence of education, community development and urban renewal is a reminder that the foundations established today—both literal and figurative—will support the aspirations of generations to come.