Brookfield Square Mall is getting an update.
After several store closings over the past few years, Brookfield Square has lost some of its reputation as being a robust area of commerce.
Major store closings such as Sears and Boston Store took out several of the mall’s anchor stores. Today, only JC Penny and Barnes & Noble remain as anchor stores.
The addition of entertainment options such as Whirly Ball and the Movie Tavern were intended to help grow the mall’s community impact despite shrinking commercial operations.
However, Brookfield Square might once again be on the rise, as a Brookfield Common Council meeting voted this week 12-2 to move forward with funding for a new Brookfield Public Market.
The new construction will take place on the north end of Brookfield Square Mall, and is slated to be an “Exciting project that will bring new opportunities, energy, and experiences for our community to enjoy”.
The Public Market is set to be a construction partnership between the City of Brookfield and Irgens, a real estate development company that focuses on creating projects that build healthy relationships within communities.
The new Brookfield Market would offer around 12 separate vendor stalls available for both local retailers and food vendors, as well as a large bar and event space. Outdoor seating and a nearby plaza will also be incorporated, perfect for holding public events.
The intention of the project is to bring together local culture ad flavor in a unique setting, where holiday events, pop up markets, and fun weekend experiences can be easily incorporated.
Initial design plans show the large scale of the construction, including a retractable roof and a stunning peaked glass design.
The project is a joint public and private partnership. Visit Brookfield will own and operate the public market, and it will be funded through the three-way contributions of Irgens Development, the City of Brookfield, and Visit Brookfield.
This week’s Common Council vote approved a tax incremental financing structure that will hopefully allow the project to bring multi generational economic prosperity to the region.
