MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU) — Residents living around Marshfield’s Middle School are up in arms about the city’s possible sale of a vacated ice skating rink on the corner of 8th and Hemlock Streets, used for overflow parking during school district sporting events.
Homeowners say the sale of the city’s empty lot would mean the loss of much needed green space, but director of public works Dan Knoeck says safety’s also one of their big concerns.
“Neighborhood streets are already parked full during events at the middle school, and the concern is that this will only get worse if the 8th and Hemlock field is no longer available for off-street parking,” Knoeck explained. “In other words, where are cars going to go if they can’t be in that parking lot.”
Many of the affected homeowners came forward at a recent council meeting to oppose the city’s plans to sell the property, but Knoeck and other city officials say the future of the property is still far from certain.
“We are seeking proposals for the potential sale of that property. I believe we may have gotten one proposal last week. But that will come back to the board at a future date, to consider the future of the property,” according to Knoeck.
The property had recently been offered for sale to the Marshfield School District for parking during those school athletic events since that is what it’s primarily been used for, but to date the district hasn’t shown any interest in purchasing the property from the city.
The city has also voiced concerns over their liability should someone be injured on the unlighted property while going to one of those sporting events.
