Solar array of questions | Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of Dec. 4, 2025

City leaders this week debated a solar array project that would bring renewable energy to the city’s water treatment facility.

The project, estimated to cost $2.8 million, is expected to be partially paid for by an Environmental Protection Agency grant of up to $1.18 million, though some say that funding has been put in question from White House cutbacks. City staff say so far they’ve had no indication that the grant wasn’t still on the table.

Wausau Water Works Commission member Deb Hadley questioned the project, including why it was a priority over keeping city spending in check. She also questioned whether the return on investment would pan out considering the typical life of solar panels. And she questioned the sole-source contracting for the design, which is typically meant for much smaller city contracts or for continuity in an ongoing project.

The array was controversial from its beginning, as neighbors were concerned about the project and how it would affect their neighborhood. That resulted in public meetings and changes to the project.

But Commissioner Jim Force defended the project, saying that the solar array is meant to ultimately defray costs of the new water treatment facility, and that most of the neighborhood concerns had been addressed at earlier stages.

Staff members say borrowing for the project still needs Finance Committee and City Council approval.

Subscribers this week read our latest Full Court Press, our roundup of civil court cases in Marathon County:

And, they read our breakdown of the next steps for the UWSP-Wausau campus now that the university is moving its operations to Northcentral Technical College:

What else in Wausau?

City/County parks could be governed differently: While Mayor Doug Diny’s proposal to break up the city/county parks department didn’t get much traction, a new proposal might create a new county parks committee. Parks Director Jamie Polley told the city’s Parks Committee that county leaders at a rules review committee proposed creating a separate county parks committee. The city and county would then each have parks committee, and a joint commission would still meet but far less often. Right now, city representatives serve on the county parks commission, though the majority of the issues are specific to county parks and aren’t relevant to city interests. The incoming county board would still need to approve the new rules next spring.

Lead service line replacements set to continue next year: City leaders say they hope through their contractor to replace 1,600 to 1,700 lead service lines in 2026. The cost of the project is estimated at more than $18 million, with about $7.6 million in loans from the DNR at a 0.25% interest rate. Staff say they haven’t yet received final numbers from the DNR. So far, as in previous years, the city expects that the private side replacement for residents will be free to homeowners of those properties. So far, 2,135 lead service lines have been replaced in the city.

One-third of Foundry on Third apartments filled: Roughly 1/3 of the apartments in the Foundry on Third building downtown are full, according to information on the developer’s website showing available apartments. The top floor seems to be the most popular so far, with more than half of the apartments spoken for. The least? The first floor, where most of the apartments are still available.

Wausau could keep TIF District No. 7 open: Tax Increment Finance District No. 7 is set to close soon, which would bring $424,000 in additional tax revenue to the city in 2027. But the city’s Economic Development Committee voted to keep the district open one more year, which lets the city devote money toward affordable housing instead - an additional 1.8 million. The extension will appear for a vote on the Finance Committee next week. Several members of Economic Development said they wanted to move it forward to Finance and Council, but weren’t necessarily sure they were going to vote for it.

Man found unfit to stand in trial in punching death: A Wausau man accused of punching another man and killing him in downtown Wausau was found not competent to stand trial. Thomas Schroeder was charged with felony murder - battery after an incident in which police say Schroeder followed someone walking downtown while yelling at him and, when he turned around to confront Schroeder, Schroeder knocked him out. That caused him to hit his head, and he died from his injuries. Schroeder last week was found not competent to stand trial, according to court records. The court will discuss the next steps on Dec. 18.

Around the metro

Winter sports start opening already: Thanks to some early snowfall and low temperatures that allowed early snowmaking, Granite Peak Ski Area opened this weekend. Fat bike trails at Ringle and Big Eau Pleine opened to an extent, though neither has full grooming. In addition, cross country ski tracks appear to hae been set at Tribute Golf Course trails this week, according to reports on skinnyski.com. Nine Mile remains closed for skiing and biking.

Rib Mountain signals interest in increasing SAFER firefighters: The Rib Mountain Village Board signaled it was interested in hiring up to six firefighters for the SAFER Joint District by 2028. The board plans to hold a town hall meeting to discuss the proposal with residents, Village Administrator Gaylene Rhoden told The Wausonian. Village of Weston leaders, which along with Rib Mountain make up the SAFER Fire District, were waiting to hear Rib Mountain’s decision before deciding whether to put a referendum about raising the tax levy beyond limits in order to pay for the firefighters.

Correction: A story about the Rothschild/Schofield swimming pool last week incorrectly stated who owned the coal plant that was shutting down. Also, we misspelled Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle’s name after the first reference. The Wausonian regrets the errors.

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Business

The Great Dane’s equipment is being auctioned off: The Great Dane announced in April that it was closing its Wausau location. Now it appears the equipment from the business is being auctioned off. Two different auctions appear on the Badger Corporation auction site, which take place today (Thursday) and Friday.

New yoga, herbs and book shop opens: A new business called Shelves of Aeaea opened last month in the former October Guitars space next to The Milk Merchant. The business sells herbs and books, and also offers yoga classes.

Entertainment

It’s Holiday Parade time! Check out Wausau’s annual holiday parade, enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas festival, see a great band at The Garage (with a great deal to boot) and so much more this weekend in Your Wausome Weekend Guide.

NOTE: I received an email Thursday afternoon that the Full Moon Hike event has now been moved to next week Thursday.

Looking for kids/family events? Check out the full listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.

Sports

Girls hockey: The Central Wisconsin Storm got off to a strong start to their conference season. The Storm defeated Wisconsin Valley Union 2-0 Tuesday, earning the team’s first win in the Wisconsin Valley Conference.

Boys hockey: Wausau West beat Marshfield 8-2 Tuesday to start the Wisconsin Valley Conference season. The Warriors scored four goals in the first and second periods, while the third period was scoreless for both teams. West’s Owen Pergolski scored a hat trick for the Warriors in the opening win.

Boys basketball: Wausau West defeated Prentice 56-47 in non-conference action. The conference season kicks off Dec. 12.

Junior League Hockey: The Wausau Cyclones split another series, beating the St. Louis Junior Blues 5-1 Friday, only to lose to the Blues 4-2 Saturday. The Cyclones are now 11-7 this season, good for fourth place in the NA3HL Central Division.

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