Ashland Prepares For New Development on Lake Superior

ASHLAND - There's nothing like a positive first impression, and Ashland is working to improve its footprint with a brand new tourist attraction.

When you drive into town on Highway 2, you see the old Bodin building. Locals call it an eye sore, but it'll soon be a three-story building complete with a sandwich shop, a place to rent outdoor equipment, a conference room, and five high-end hotel rooms.

“We always wanted to compliment what was in the city of Ashland already,” explained Stephen Schraufnagel with C & S Design and Engineering, Inc. He’s the architect of the new building, and has had his eyes on the land for years.

“We don't want to rob something from Main Street to put out on the bay,” he said.

The new building will be called Blue Wave on the Bay.

Thanks to approval from the DNR and support from city leaders, it'll sit just inches from Lake Superior.

“It'll bring people from down state, down from the Twin Cities up here,” explained Ashland Mayor Bill Whalen. “It’ll give them something exciting to do on the waterfront.”

With a top notch building bringing Ashland an ultra-modern feel, developers hope nearby business will upgrade their buildings to match the new style.

Right now, the old Bodin building sits vacant, but come this spring construction on the Blue Wave by the Bay will begin.

The project will cost $1.5 million, and is privately funded by a Madison business owner with connections to the area.

It's set to open Christmas 2014.