Eau Claire: 1980

Population increased throughout the 1980s in response to new industries and assisted the city of Eau Claire to develop into an attractive efficient city able to support the rising numbers of citizenship.

1980	Eau Claire underwent the second largest population increase since 1900: nearly 15 %.
1980	Five neighborhood area plans were established to enhance the appearance and value of designated areas including the West side, North Hill, West River Front, Water Street, West Clairemont districts.
1980	Thirteen census tracts were used as a basis for data collection. Due to population increases tracts #3 and #5 were divided into two and #8 was divided into three tracts.
1982	Eau Claire Historic Preservation Plan was adopted as an element of the Comprehensive Master Plan. The plans goal is aimed at preservation of architectural and historical character of the Eau Claire area.
1982	Gateway Industrial Park was established as a new major light industrial park.
1985	The Oakwood Mall was built and provided 1100 new jobs to the city of Eau Claire. The errection of this mall also forced the closing of many downtown commercial industries due to competition with the new large retail outlets.
1985	Chippewa River State Trail was established which connected to the Red Cedar Trail at a total cost of $750,000 dollars for 350 acres or 20 miles.
1986	The Landmarks Commission and the City of Eau Claire received Certified Local Government status in 1986.
1987	A 4.9 million dollar addition was added to McPhee Physical Education Center on the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire upper campus.
1988	Sixty-five churches were operating throughout the city.