West Side Battery in Wausau. MWC photo by Mike Leischner.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau’s Economic Development Committee is going to consider a pair of proposals for the vacant West Side Battery property located at the corner of First and Stewart near the Wisconsin River.
According to the agenda packet for Tuesday’s meeting, one of those proposals comes from Gorman and Company of the Madison area. That calls for a four-story apartment building that could bring more than 50 low-income affordable units to the downtown area along with ten townhome-style units.
Plans call for underground parking on-site to minimize the need for surface parking for residents. Other amenities could include a first-floor fitness center and community space along with a common green space including picnic tables and community grills.
Gorman and Company are offering $100,000 for the site contingent on being awarded a competitive tax credit and an investigation into the required costs for soil remediation. Construction is expected to cost $15.7 million.
Gorman is also in the process of remodeling the Landmark Apartment building in downtown Wausau.
The second proposal comes from Wausau Opportunity Zone- the same company that’s working to redevelop the former Wausau Center Mall site- with the goal of either leaving the area as open space or putting up a smaller building.
According to the WOZ proposal, the open area could be used for art, landscaping, or other temporary uses for community enrichment. They aren’t looking for any city participation for the project, and say that construction on the site would only occur if a “sustainable use would be identified for a building smaller than that of the current structure.
Their proposal adds that not building anything on the property, would create a “view line” of downtown beginning at Second Avenue, giving the area a wow factor to welcome visitors to the heart of the city.
Both proposals will be discussed during Tuesday’s meeting at city hall, which begins at 5:15.
Comments