Beloit’s new downtown riverwalk brings excitement for Wisconsin city’s next chapter

BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) — Beloit celebrated the opening of its new downtown riverwalk on Tuesday, the culmination of a project years in the making.

The riverwalk opening is just one of the many accomplishments that leaders say reflect the growth Beloit has had recently, and it’s not only city leaders taking notice.

“The outlook for the city right now is extremely sunny and bright. Everywhere I go, people are excited about what’s happening in the city. Events like this just bring more attention to it,” said City Manager Jerry Gabrielatos.

The project, at 80-100 E. Grand Avenue, began construction in September 2024. The path and the Grand Avenue Bridge opened on June 23rd.

The development company, East Grand Development, LLC., is overseen by billionaire and Beloit native Diane Hendricks, said it intends to build a 4-story, 48,000-square-foot building that could include a restaurant, commercial uses, office, and residential use.

Between improvements to the downtown area, construction of the Ho-Chunk casino on the city’s far-east side, and the new A&E TV show, “Betting on Beloit,” Gabrielatos said the growth is noticeable.

“Over the past two and a half years, we’ve worked to invest $12 million in funding that we have available into housing. So, getting shovels in the ground to bring residents to match all the other development that we’re getting here is critical for the city’s success. As amenities are built, we want people to use them,” he added.

Rick Barder has lived in Beloit for decades and bikes around the area with the Stateline Spinners Bike Club.

“Over the last five, ten years, you know, we’ve seen outstanding improvements. And we want to keep that ball rolling,” he said. “It’s going to be a mixed-use development right here. It’s gonna be an apartment building and stores [there]. And so, there’s 110,000 people around Beloit, not counting Clinton or Janesville, or Rockford, Roscoe, Rockton. So, we we are very happy here,” Barder said.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers attended the ribbon-cutting event and said the entire state is behind Beloit.

“No matter where you’re going, people are talking about, for a small town, but a big, big town, opportunities for people. I mean, there are lots of places downtown that are doing a great job. So I just think the conversation is completely different. And when you change that conversation, you get more organizations involved. Suddenly, you have something that’s beautiful,” he said.