Wausau City Hall. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) – Wausau Mayor Doug Diny’s veto of a redevelopment proposal for the area near the city’s old water treatment plant is likely to be upheld.
The Wausau City County voted 7-4 in favor of hiring a consultant and asking developers for requests for proposals for the property. It takes 8 votes to override the veto, meaning one of the alders who voted ‘no’ would have to change their vote to ‘yes’.
In his veto message, Mayor Diny said he believes city staff instead of a consultant can handle any contamination issues at the property that might need to be addressed. He also said the city has other property that’s ready for redevelopment right now. He said other priorities, like finding more parking in the area for Athletic Park, are higher priorities.
It was the first veto of Diny’s administration.
Critics of the veto said it could lead to animosity between the mayor and the city council. They also note that $100,000 had already been budgeted for a consultant, and the city would not have to spend any money immediately based on the proposals it receives from interested developers.
The city council will take the override vote this Tuesday.
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