WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Developers are looking at the blighted Ponderosa Motel property on Grand Avenue in Wausau as an opportunity to bring new housing to town.
Drew Green of Schultz Property Management says despite its current condition, the site could be the home of a unique short-term housing model that could fill a void in the city’s current offerings.
“Right now in the city of Wausau, there seems to be a pretty big need for this kind of monthly transient housing. [Something to help people] get back on their feet, or even for contractors that come up to the area to do [construction projects],” said Green.
He says those people may be looking for something temporary, but maybe a little more like home than a motel room.
The city of Wausau recently purchased the motel property from the county after the previous owners foreclosed on their tax bill. There is a raze order on the building, but Green says they think the building could be remodeled or rebuilt on its current foundation. “Right now we are pending an engineering statement that will give us an idea of what parts of the building will need to be removed, repaired, or reconstructed.”
But, no matter what work needs to be done on the building Green says he thinks it will be a worthwhile investment and a “great opportunity for the area.”
Units would come partially furnished with nightstands, bed frames, and other fixtures along with a microwave and mini-fridge. The proposal calls for the units to be rented for $450 monthly. The building would also operate under a different name.
Green spoke following a meeting of the Community Development Authority’s Redevelopment Committee during which members Gary Gisselman and David Welles recommended that the CDA still conduct a brief window for other developers to submit proposals for the site.
Economic Development Director Chris Schock noted that the CDA does not have to conduct a formal RFP process for the property but said it is still common for the group to do so. He added that there are other interested parties, however, only Schultz has submitted a formal proposal thus far.
Welles and Gisselman felt it would be fair to conduct an RFP process, even if it is a brief one.
The full CDA will consider the request during their regular meeting on Tuesday, December 17th. Green says his team would like to hit the ground running on the project as soon as possible, but he understands the committee’s desire to go through the process.
