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PS's avatar

How about a hint on this “Huge” story?!! lol

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Bruce Knox's avatar

I have a suggestion for a story. I recall a huge story when the "rusty birds" were installed in the median coming into Wausau. That project was budgeted and completed. What happened to the median project on the west side of the I39 overpasses? I'm sure that was budgeted for and paid but why are there 12 cement pads at each of the 2 sections (48 total) half of which are electrified? What is supposed to be installed on these pads. What was paid for but not installed. What are they waiting for.?

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B.C. Kowalski's avatar

Hi Bruce. The rusty birds incident happened when I was in Stevens Point but I recall it coming up again around the time when I first came back to town, maybe around 2015-16. As I recall hearing at the time, the controversy from part I of the project caused the council to shelve the second part of it. I think it came up because maybe one of the committees was considering something else there? I don't recall what exactly was decided though, I'd have the check through the archives.

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PS's avatar

The “rusty birds” cost the Director of Public Works, Brad Marquardt, his job because of a conflict of interest I believe.

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B.C. Kowalski's avatar

My understanding is that his downfall came from improperly handling the Thomas Street project, losing a massive amount of federal dollars because of it. That goes all the way back to Tipple. If I recall correctly, there were issues with how he handled property condemnations but I was in Point at the time and so I don't recall the details too specifically.

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