Brillion Works LLC is launching two new development projects to restore a section of Spring Creek and construct a 42-unit apartment complex in the Calumet County community.
These efforts, expected to be completed in 2026, build on the momentum started in 2018 when Brillion Works LLC began revitalizing the 144 acres left abandoned after closure of the Brillion Iron Works Foundry.
Construction of a new apartment complex on the 200 block of Parkway Drive begins this week. The first phase of the three-phase project will create 42 residences and welcome tenants by fall 2026. Phases two and three will introduce two additional buildings with a similar number of units.
“Housing availability in Brillion and the surrounding area is considered somewhat low, which can deter families who would otherwise consider living here,” said Brillion Works Director Elise Ariens. “Building these homes provides local businesses a larger hiring pool and strengthens the tax base for public services. It also raises the housing supply, which helps maintain overall housing affordability.”
Units in the new building will be competitively priced and aligned to market rates. Amenities will include in-unit washers and dryers, attached and detached garages, ample ground-level parking, and elevator access.
Brillion Works, along with two partners, is funding the project. Construction is being completed by Duquaine Development Inc. of Green Bay.
A section of Spring Creek that currently flows beneath the former foundry’s foundation will be “daylighted” and brought above ground to its original state. With guidance from Stantec environmental services, the segment between Francis Street and Park Avenue will be rerouted slightly east to align with the natural floodplain before reconnecting with its existing path near East Water Street.
“Our acquisition of the Brillion Works District was always about sparking holistic growth in Brillion,” said Ariens. “It’s not just about building a business park. Our vision is to transform the site into a place that blends commercial opportunity with community. We want this to be a place everyone can enjoy and be proud of.”
No taxpayer dollars collected at the local level will fund the project. Of the estimated $3 million price tag, most of the expenses are covered by grants, with the remaining portion funded privately by Brillion Works LLC. Major contributors up to this point include the Fund for Lake Michigan ($150,000), the David L. & Rita E. Nelson Family Fund via the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region ($150,000), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ($2.4 million).
Site work led by Vinton Construction of Manitowoc will begin this fall, starting with utility upgrades along Park Avenue between Francis Street and Parkway Drive. This section of Park Avenue will be closed to traffic for about 30 days during this phase. After its completion, excavation of Spring Creek’s new path will begin and continue through the project’s anticipated completion in spring 2026. Roadways adjacent to the work zone will remain open to all traffic during the construction phases following utility work.
