West Side Battery property in Wausau. MWC photo by Mike Leischner.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Economic Development Committee has tabled discussion on two competing proposals for the West Side Battery property near the intersection of Stewart Avenue and First Avenue.
On Tuesday the committee heard details of both a proposed affordable housing complex that could bring more than 50 apartments to the area and millions into the city’s tax base, along with a proposal to leave the property vacant and not obstruct the view of downtown for those driving in on Stewart.
The apartments would be built by Gorman and Company, the same group that’s in the process of renovating the Landmark apartments downtown. Their proposal calls for a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units with a variety of rent levels that would be aimed at lower-income families and individuals. The units would have underground parking and a variety of other amenities, with developers promising to work with other nearby landowners to add some surface parking if needed.
The current proposal calls for construction to begin in April of 2023 with the first residents moving in during the summer of 2024.
Meanwhile, the Wausau Opportunity Zone project would involve taking down the West Side Battery building at no expense to the city and putting the land back on the tax rolls in time for the 2022 tax year.
Alder Lisa Rasmussen said both proposals have merit but there shouldn’t be a rush to make a decision, adding that she didn’t feel “equipped” to make a decision on Tuesday and would like more back and forth with others on the committee.
Additionally, the committee was not agendized to go into closed session. The committee agreed to not make a call on either proposal and instead schedule further discussion, possibly as soon as November 10th.
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