SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (WMTV) - It’s been seven years since an explosion in downtown Sun Prairie claimed the life of firefighter Cory Barr , and this week, the site of that explosion became something more.

Ground was broken on a new hotel development at the explosion site last Thursday.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the 63-room County Inn & Suites was attended by JCAP Real Estate officials, Downtown Sun Prairie business owners, Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce members and City of Sun Prairie officials.

Sun Prairie Economic Development Director Taylor Brown said the development is “an important milestone for the city of Sun Prairie.”

“It’s significant for a couple of reasons,” said Brown, who personally unloaded the 17 shovels used in the groundbreaking. “Obviously, this is the site of

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