What’s going into the Forest Mall site's old Firestone lot? Streetwise finally has an answer.
FOND DU LAC – Ever since Firestone Auto Care closed in 2014, speculation has circled about what would become of the lot at 825 W. Johnson St.
Before the building was demolished in 2020, developer ATR & Associates had plans to redevelop the property, with MOD Pizza and Firehouse Subs eyeing two of the four planned spaces.
By the time the building came down, however, both restaurants had disappeared from plans, and the space has remained vacant ever since.
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Now, Bank First will open a new location in the now-grassy lot between IHOP and Panera Bread, nearing 10 years since Firestone closed.
Founded in Manitowoc in 1894, Bank First has two locations in Fond du Lac: one at 80 Sheboygan St. and one near the new location at 245 N. Peters Ave.
According to Bank First's July 28 announcement, the Sheboygan Street location will merge into the North Peters Avenue location Sept. 1 in preparation for the new location.
Once the Johnson Street location opens, the North Peters Avenue location will merge into the new one.
A construction date is not yet set, but Excel Engineering, Inc., is assisting in the design and planning process.
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Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac mall redevelopment to include Bank First location
