Future of city’s northern entryway announced

By Brandi Makuski

Sentry Insurance announced on Wednesday its future plans for an empty lot on the north side of Stevens Point.

According to a news release from the company, Sentry will construct a new office building in the space — just adjacent to its national headquarters at the intersection of Division St. North and Northpoint Drive.

The new complex, according to the release, will be a “state-of-the-art complex” that provides office space for all of Sentry’s Stevens Point-based claims staff to work out of one location. The construction permit has yet to come before the city for approval.

Approximately 500 claims associates are located in offices throughout Stevens Point, including the historic Sentry-owned Strongs Avenue building.

“We have outgrown the space in our Strongs location for our claims staff,” said Pete McPartland, Sentry’s chairman of the board, president, and CEO. “This project will alleviate those space needs, bringing together all of our local claims staff at one modern, technologically-advanced claims complex.”

Sentry purchased the land in 2011. The building, which once was home to the Holiday Inn, then Ramada Inn and Tilted Kilt restaurant, was demolished in 2012.

Sentry plans to break ground on the new project in summer of 2017.

“We are growing, through mergers and acquisitions and through organic growth,” said McPartland. “We remain committed to Stevens Point; our 100-year plus history here, teamed with our hard-working and knowledgeable associates, means we believe in the future of this community.”

McPartland also referred to the new project as a “win-win”, and noted the new building would help fill a hole in city’s entrance from the north.

Sentry has a long history in Stevens Point. Hardware Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Wisconsin—Sentry’s original name—moved from Berlin, Wisconsin, to Stevens Point in 1912. Sentry has more than 2,000 associates are employed by Sentry in the Stevens Point Area.

In the news release, Sentry said it plans to hire local and/or Wisconsin companies for the construction and renovation projects.