Dream City USA Toxic Mold Tenants Sue

December 20, 2002

Thu, Dec 19, 2002

Rainbow Falls plans expansion

PLOVER - The new year will bring the end of the old Plover Mall and the

promise of new water slides, restaurants and a hotel.

Rainbow Falls officials obtained a permit Wednesday from the village of

Plover to demolish the empty mall as one of the first steps to developing

the 46-acre parcel of land off of Highway B and Interstate 39. The company

plans to tear down the mall by Jan. 1, said Donna Kezeske, Rainbow Falls

general manager. " We are considering a possible expansion, " she said.

Part of that expansion could be the addition of two new water slides to the

park in addition to the development of a hotel, restaurants and offices,

Kezeske said. The company is contacting developers and businesses to

determine interest in the parcel.

The old Plover Mall and Rainbow Falls, 1511 Plover Road, are owned by Lokre

Development Co., which has offices in Wausau and Santa Barbara, Calif.

The company is looking to lease or sell the land, build to suit or create

development partnerships, Kezeske said. " I think the location here is ideal

with the Interstate 39 and County Highway B access. "

Holden, Plover community development manager, said the location off

of Highway B is capable of handling increased traffic from added

development. The stoplight at Mall Road and Highway B will help manage any

increased traffic flow from the development of a hotel or shopping center,

he said. That area, which is near Elder-Beerman, Copps and ShopKo, also has

seen the addition of Big Apple Bagels, which opened in late November.

In 2003, Rainbow Falls will enter its 16th season at its location on Highway

B. The park attracts more than 100,000 guests per season.

According to information provided by the Lokre Co., tourists spent $145

million in Portage County for 2001, a 1.59 percent increase over 2000. The

mall last housed Dream City USA entertainment and amusement business.

Tenants charged that a toxic mold problem ruined plans to convert the mall

into a teen dance club.

Tenants Randy Steltenpohl and filed a lawsuit against Rainbow

Park in December 2001. Steltenpohl's lawyer, Bertz, said the case

continues.

" We have all the evidence needed, " he said. The demolition won't affect the

outcome of the case, he said.

Kittner can be reached at 344-6100, Ext. 2510, or at

gena.kittner@....

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