The woes of the city’s flagship development area continued this week as a development agreement for another apartment complex on the land hit a snag.
The city’s Economic Development Committee this week voted 2-2 on a development agreement with Wangard Partners. Wangard had proposed to build a $36 million, 144-unit project at 920 N. First Street and 15 Fulton Street.
The city had previously approved a term sheet, but the action the committee took up Tuesday was to accept the actual development agreement.
Instead, the committee locked 2-2, which means the motion failed to get a majority.
Council President Terry Kilian expressed during the meeting that she was planning to vote no on the project. While Kilian at the meeting said she wasn’t going to re-iterate her reasons, she in October 2024 when the city approved a planning agreement, said she wasn’t going to help subsidize high-end development.
Despite the downvote, the development agreement will appear before the city council on Sept. 8 with a no vote, Community Development Director Randy Fifrick says.
A medical malpractice suit, alleged business fraud, a boat repair gone wrong and more in our latest Full Court Press, looking at the month’s civil court cases:
A medical malpractice suit | Full Court Press
Ellie was born in October 2022 with a patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, a congenital heart condition. After repeated hospitalizations for respiratory problems, doctors determined she needed a transcatheter procedure to close the vessel.
And Wausau’s newest steakhouse has a couple of unique twists on the genre. Check out our inside look at Copper Kettle Steakhouse:
Copper Kettle Steakhouse transforms former Whiskey River location
Correction: Bob Lamovec is the sole owner of The Garage and Granite View Market. A previous version of this story was incorrect about its ownership. The story has been corrected to reflect that.
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What else in Wausau?
River’s Edge Trail to get lanes?: A new plan from the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee will essentially add lanes to the trail. The committee approved adding a centerline to the River’s Edge Trail from Winton Street to Oak Island, which is most of the path’s length. The line is meant to keep users on one side of the trail except when passing. Parks Director Jamie Polley said it isn’t really enforceable but is meant as a guide to assist in safety. City Council Member Tom Neal got the idea while traveling to Marquette, Mich., he told the committee. The line could go in this year yet, or next year as staff time allows.
Pool closures weighed as budget cuts loom: City leaders are floating the idea of cutting hours at two city pools as city departments work to find cuts to their budget. Parks Director Jamie Polley said city departments were directed to find 2% in cuts for the 2027 budget. The parks committee approved recommending a pool schedule that would see two of the city’s pools open during weekdays, with all three open Saturdays and Sundays. That should save $19,854, city staff says. None of that is final until the city passes its budget. Other potential savings the Finance Committee could consider include an urban forestry fee, reducing the number of docks at the RiverLife wharf, eliminating downtown flowers, skipping the annual invasive species program using goats, among other smaller measures.
Around the metro
Hockey at Kennedy Park?: Everest Youth Hockey is exploring a roughly 30,000-square-foot indoor ice facility at Kennedy Park in Weston. The project would have an indoor hockey rin, but also provide uses such as other indoor sports, farmers markets and community programming. The group is pushing the facility because, it told the village’s Parks and Recreation Committee, it currently has about 33% less ice time than USA Hockey recommends for its player numbers. Very preliminary estimates put a fully enclosed facility at roughly $6.5 million to $7 million. Everest Youth Hockey previously studied a separate two-rink arena concept and says that analysis suggested hockey operations alone could be financially sustainable. The next step would be feasibility work focused on the northwest corner of Kennedy Park, and no construction funding or final project approval has been requested.
Weston approves borrowing for major drinking water project: Weston will borrow $1.29 million in Waterworks Systems revenue bonds in order to make upgrades to one of its wells and its drinking water treatment plant. The borrowing helps the village complete the $4.3 million project, with $3 million in forgivable loans from Wisconsin’s Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. The village also received $272,000 in PFAS manufacturer settlement funds to go toward the project.
Pickleball could feature heavily in Machmueller Park plan: Pickleball could feature heavily at Machmueller Park, if a master plan under development comes to fruition. The park plan under development calls for four pickleball courts, and that could be expanded to eight or even 12 courts in the future. That, with more parking, could help it become the site for future pickleball tournaments. The plans also call for a modest bandshell (smaller than the 400 Block’s), a food truck pavilion, an outdoor fitness area and a new playground, among other improvements. The village plans to hold an open house on the master plan concept on Sept. 3 (5-7 pm at the village hall).
Sheriff’s Office investigates fatal crash in Franzen: Deputies say a 53-year-old woman is dead following a two-vehicle crash around 12:30 pm Friday at the intersection of highways I and C in the town of Franzen. Jennifer Lemmer of Iola was pronounced dead at the scene after rescue workers extracted her from the vehicle and attempted life-saving measures. A 58-year-old man was also injured in the crash. Officials have not named him or where he is from.
Mosinee receives $71K donation for city park: Mosinee’s mayor says the city has received a $71,000 donation toward its Maple Ridge Park improvement project through the Community Foundation of Northcentral Wisconsin. The additional funding, which came from an anonymous donor, will allow the city to add new equipment that includes a Zip Venture, a toddler play structure and new swing sets.
One man dead in motorcycle crash: Deputies say a 60-year-old man is dead following a motorcycle crash in the village of Hatley Tuesday. Deputies say Allen Falkowski, 60, died after crashing his motorcycle at Clark Street and Curtis Avenue around 4:38 pm Tuesday. Officials say the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Business
Sunset Point Winery closing in Stevens Point: Sunset Point Winery is planning to close later this fall, according to a note posted by the owners Monday. The winery, which opened in July 2015, had a taproom and featured live music. Sunset Point will remain open until Nov. 1.
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Entertainment
The very last of the Concerts on the Square hits the 400 Block this week, and it’s a big one. Dig Deep will bring its unique brand of bluegrass to the big stage, and that’s not all. Stevens Point hosts its Riverfront Jazz Festival, a couple of unique events awaits at Willow Springs Garden, a real ‘sconnie gal takes the stage at Stoney Acres Pizza, and more. All in Your Wausome Weekend Guide.
Dig Deep caps the Concerts on the Square series | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
The very last of the Concerts on the Square hits the 400 Block this week, and it’s a big one. Dig Deep will bring its unique brand of bluegrass to the big stage, and that’s not all. Stevens Point hosts its Riverfront Jazz Festival, a couple of unique events awaits at Willow Springs Garden, a real ‘sconnie gal takes the stage at Stoney Acres Pizza, and m…
Sports
Football: Wausau West racked up another non-conference win with a 28-21 defeat of Rice Lake Friday. D.C. Everest also won, defeating Menomonie 30-21.Both teams will kick off the Wisconsin Valley Conference season this Friday as the Evergreens host the Warriors.
Boys soccer: Wausau-area Wisconsin Valley Conference teams got off to a rough start Tuesday, with D.C. Everest, Wausau West and Wausau East all dropping their games. Likely either Wausau West or D.C. Everest will break the drought as the two face off next Tuesday.
More conference play begins: Volleyball and girls tennis conference play kick off today (Thursday), with Wausau West hosting Wisconsin Rapids. D.C. Everest and Wausau East are on the road.
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I would be interested in understanding more of the rationale behind the vote. Is the proposed subsidy substantially greater than the long-term tax revenue and economic benefit the development is expected to generate for the City of Wausau? If not, I can understand why some residents may be questioning the decision.
The city's financial challenges seem to stem from the need to increase revenue while managing expenses. A development such as this apartment complex would appear to expand the tax base and generate additional revenue, which could help address some of those concerns. What I'm unsure about is the magnitude of that impact and whether there are other factors that influenced the down votes.
Am I oversimplifying the issue, or is that a reasonable way to think about it?