WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) – Wausau plans to buy two properties along 3rd Street as part of an effort to clean up the neighborhood and make room for future development.

The City Council on Tuesday approved spending $44,000 in tax increment district funds to buy and demolish the properties at 1202 and 1204 N. 3rd Street. The city has until November 30 to close on the properties. A demolition date has not been set.

Of the two properties, one is behind the Pollack Inn.

That part of the city has “the potential for that neighborhood to be redeveloped,” said community development director Ann Werth. “It's an investment in the city's future and to breathe new life into a neighborhood.”

The city has already used a mix of private foundation money and taxpayer dollars to buy and demolish 18 properties along 2nd Street, 3rd Street and Bridge Street.