Wausau City Hall. MWC file photo
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — In what was a lightning-quick meeting on Tuesday, Wausau’s Economic Development Committee signed off on a pair of updates to the Riverlife Condos Development Agreement and gave their blessing to plans for a new Bader Liquor distribution facility in the city’s industrial park.
Those changes include a $50,000 grant for soil remediation and the removal of language calling for an outdoor amphitheater as part of the condo building. Wausau Economic Development Director Liz Brodek said the soil issue was the topic of several discussions and negotiations between the city and developers.
The funding source for that payment remains unknown but could come from the tax increment district itself. Plans had originally called for the city to use the dirt removed from the site elsewhere, but due to the nature of the contamination Brodek says the best option is to landfill the dirt.
Other changes to the agreement include changing the number of tax increment payments to the developer without changing the amount and the date by which the city must complete the adjacent parking lot and sidewalks.
As for the amphitheater, Brodek says that’s being removed because of the unspecific nature of the language in the agreement, but that doesn’t mean that plan is dead.
“The original language around the amphitheater was only two or three lines. It was very vague and didn’t contemplate any maintenance or things like that. So we agreed that it made sense to come back [and have that] as a separate agreement if they choose to move forward with it,” said Brodek
Committee Chair Tom Neal and Alder Lisa Rasmussen both agreed that the city shouldn’t forget about the amphitheater proposal, saying it was one of the big selling points in the proposal. “I don’t want anyone thinking that we have given up on the idea of having that amenity because that was part of the sell,” said Rasmussen.
“The committee will probably dig its heels in on that because it’s something we’ve liked from the very beginning,” added Neal.
NEW DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRIAL PARK
The Badger Liquor proposal calls for a 22,500 square foot facility on 4.7 acres near the Great Lakes Cheese plant. The city would sell the land for just over $59,000, with the estimated value of the warehouse being $6.5 million.
The proposal does require a conditional use permit which will be up for a vote during January’s Plan Commission meeting. If approved, construction could start this spring with the building ready for occupancy by September. The project could create up to 20 new jobs.
That plan was approved with little discussion from the committee. Badger Liquor is not asking for any investment or incentives from the city for the building.
Badger Liquor is based out of the Fox Valley and distributes brands such as Absolute Vodka, 1800 Tequila, and Admiral Nelson’s Spiced Rum along with a selection of wines.
Badger Liquor facility rendering. Image courtesy: City of Wausau
Comments