STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — In a meeting that lasted all of three minutes the Stevens Point City Council voted 10-0 to approve a development agreement with Great Northern Distilling for a new event space, tasting room, and distillery at the former Belke Lumber site on Second Street.
Monday’s special meeting had very little discussion on the matter. Community Development Director Ryan Kernosky went over the specifics of the deal, which included the sale of the property to Great Northern for $1 with over $370,000 in Tax Increment Financing to be paid out at various stages in the project. The completed building will be required to have a property value of at least $1.5 million.
Construction must start by next March per the agreement, but Great Northern is hoping to begin much sooner than that. According to their website, they’ve closed their mixology bar “until we relocate in 2022.”
Great Northern Distilling began in Plover in 2013 but owners say they’re looking for more space.
