[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6470678,"mediaKeyId","5779145-5591f9263d414bfd130f8d58c8227dff","parentId",5779145,"title","Eau Claire RDA outlines housing-overlay and Uptown redevelopment districts, debates RDA role in affordable housing","audioSeconds",617,"startMs",1620000,"endMs",2237000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779145-5591f9263d414bfd130f8d58c8227dff&start=1620&end=2237","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779145-5591f9263d414bfd130f8d58c8227dff/thumbnail_1620000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470678/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-RDA-outlines-housing-overlay-and-Uptown-redevelopment-districts-debates-RDA-role-in-affordable-housing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470678-6597537ce4b366f4d9d497a8b3802e02/orig.mp4?Expires=1775997949&Signature=gIsh1nEdK~kiSOkJYH73jtZBVLowzcCPpjTzXomlxpBfHte27H8J2aLT72Jyq8gwIufpJZzaTocNuCuy853ZNM0ot9P1FvTQdXyG7kyorL2ZHNyPEDOQP33o4l1lQyBHV-pCltmM5fNJ1FV1dngh8gWP-CKlTwzP~DogeoGCLwzR727XYq0Syk80R-AUZTrZLnV9EKf4OdWsClUaZtrIzcCJh0WN7xMpPJ8qhywbYQfShI5mhZd~KdyRFVdyDZN8DwVA93ks3RPaOC6vbJ-aPS907PMU8eR8POyr6TobPsA66brza5b4Dz3SGpC8O5DVep~JG5ggCPOLgm~RGVr7Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eau Claire, WI","date","2025-09-17T07:27:00Z","article","RDA staff presented expanded boundary proposals for a housing-overlay (selective redevelopment) district and an Uptown District and asked the board whether to proceed toward formalizing plans for council review later this year.

The housing-overlay discussion would add Shawtown to the RDA’s selective redevelopment area, targeting older housing stock and small infill opportunities. The Uptown District map was expanded north to the river to include property around Marshfield Hospital and south to include TID 16 (Shopko Plaza area), officials said. Staff described both areas as candidates for surgical, targeted redevelopments rather than broad, wholesale takedowns.

Aaron described a range of housing tactics the RDA is considering, including a pilot program of detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) sized at roughly 560 square feet. “This product meets 65 or so percent of the waiting list for the housing authority’s waiting list for housing,” Aaron said, explaining the units could target households needing a studio or one-bedroom unit. Under the city’s draft code, detached ADUs would not need to be smaller than the primary structure; staff described placing two small, detached units on a single lot as a design option.

Board members discussed whether the RDA should own and temporarily operate affordable units or instead facilitate development by other entities. One board member said they were “a little concerned with the RDA being a landlord,” asking for clearer scope and benchmarks. Aaron outlined a potential model where the RDA acquires and readies sites, the housing authority manages day-to-day operations and tenant screening under an MOU, and the RDA eventually transfers ownership to the housing authority after an agreed period. Aaron said the housing authority already manages roughly 300 units and could administer the properties; any management agreement would include a management fee and reserve accounts funded from collected rents.

Board members flagged several issues they want to see addressed before formal approval: clear benchmarks for success (for example, an affordability target for a district), the financial implications of RDA ownership (including what funds would be tied up), tax consequences while properties are owned by a public entity, and whether other developers could access the same RDA tools. One board member suggested exploring conversion from RDA to a community development authority (CDA) to handle long-term ownership functions, and staff said they were already reviewing differences and could bring analysis to council.

Timeline and next steps: staff said they will prepare a more formal proposal for the October RDA meeting, incorporate board feedback over the next two weeks, and — if approved by the RDA — bring the districts to City Council for review and approval in December. Staff framed the goal as having the new districts set at the start of the 2026 budget year but said the timeline could be extended if needed.

Other housing-related items noted in the meeting: RDA staff reported contacts with about 50 developers on the city’s marketing list, said there are no hard offers yet for some parcels, and noted that recent minor declines in interest rates may rekindle developer activity. Staff also said HAWK (an entity referenced in the meeting that manages local housing grant funds) expects to have $250,000 available in the 2026 CIP and roughly $500,000 in carryover/rolling funds to allocate via a competitive grant process; staff said HAWK is reviewing its scoring matrix to make it more flexible for non-LIHTC projects. Staff said they have also been approached by parties interested in creating a community land trust to preserve affordability.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Eau Claire, WI - Redevelopment Authority","oneSentenceSummary","RDA staff presented an expanded housing-overlay district (including Shawtown) and a proposed Uptown District covering the Shopko/Marshfield Hospital area. The board discussed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) pilots, partnerships with the housing authority, and whether the RDA should serve as a temporary landlord for affordable units.","taxTitle","Eau Claire City, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin","taxId",4140,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470681,"Eau Claire RDA to seek bids to clear structures at former Kessler Park; funds may be available",883,485000,1368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779145-5591f9263d414bfd130f8d58c8227dff&start=485&end=1368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779145-5591f9263d414bfd130f8d58c8227dff/thumbnail_485000.jpg","/articles/6470681/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-RDA-to-seek-bids-to-clear-structures-at-former-Kessler-Park-funds-may-be-available","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470681-783059c646edc4240dcf3b72ec7b74ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775997950&Signature=OVl4EdyxQLvmzJadzzIXEeo7vuawh10SsfRvVuAnbWJISUZwwKw657F3embgY~H8QV-mt-rPy319k0GDOQK5O7~D1xz-lzvcsJ73xQFINmBsSuFun3rkdlkaYVjFlIJ3di~PFAAc69RHre62vEQlu70dPNwnBY6BMzbk-k15JvjdP9vPE7U3i64VBwUfuaQrFhW99eVQk2-JBrvzv9oYWpwdE-K0qrPI1JMjnTIrZx-1nkDmdV4a36qhfCKlfAP-n4954Jblwg~OvX0Nzx8ez6cHJ-s3AtaX2Ni4W0B8Bvmq1F0z5olF8RZg4Sb9u9K8yQ6g3YM~acoHvn7Rv0yIag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire City Redevelopment Authority directed staff to solicit bids to demolish and clear remaining structures at the former Kessler Park site so the parcel can be marketed as a shovel-ready development site.

Aaron, who led the presentation on the Kessler Park cleanup, said parks staff will remove playground equipment for reuse at other parks but that an all-season restroom building and a basketball court remain on the parcel. Aaron described the restroom building as typically locked and infrequently opened because of safety and health concerns, including reports of unhoused people sleeping inside and evidence of drug use.

“Talking with park staff previously, it became a safety and health concern. They were having unhoused folks sleeping in it, and they found there was excessive amount of drug use in that,” Aaron said. He told the board the structure is usually locked and opened only for special events.

Finance director Winters told the board there are “about a 150,000, some unexpected funds within the RDA budget that could be used to go ahead and do the demo and clearing of this site,” Aaron said. Board members asked whether leaving structures in place might speed a sale if developer interest is strong; staff said a clear, shovel-ready site is generally more attractive and that demolition costs for a small restroom building could be similar to recent small-structure jobs (the presenter estimated a ballpark of $10,000–$15,000 based on prior “house-raising” projects).

The board asked about alternative uses for the restroom building, such as emergency warming locations; staff replied the facility contains only restrooms and would not easily serve shelter or gathering functions. After discussion, a board member asked staff to solicit demolition bids and return with cost estimates for the board to review; RDA staff said they would issue an RFP for demolition and bring bids back for approval.

What the RDA recorded: no final demolition contract was approved at the meeting. The recorded direction was to solicit competitive bids, then return to the board with cost estimates and a recommended contract award.

Clarifying details mentioned in the meeting include an estimated demolition cost “no bigger than that structure” (presenter’s ballpark: $10,000–$15,000), and an RDA staff statement that approximately $150,000 of unexpected funds might be available to cover demo and clearing work. RDA staff also said the site is 1.8 acres and has a 4-inch water stub on the southern end to support potential multifamily development; staff reported interest from three developers but said no proposals had been submitted yet.

Next steps: RDA staff will solicit RFPs for demolition and return to the board with bids and a recommendation.","RDA staff will solicit demolition bids for restroom and court structures at the former Kessler Park as part of a land-transfer and site-preparation process; staff said approximately $150,000 of unexpected RDA funds may be available to cover demolition and clearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470686,"Eau Claire City RDA approves minutes, financial report and transfers Doty Street parcel to city",361,63000,424000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779145-5591f9263d414bfd130f8d58c8227dff&start=63&end=424","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779145-5591f9263d414bfd130f8d58c8227dff/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6470686/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-City-RDA-approves-minutes-financial-report-and-transfers-Doty-Street-parcel-to-city","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470686-4add9153da5c6614b0fcfa983b82c7c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775997950&Signature=DnuPBT1dCNTrCI3xkLC~kHfze81SoOAHDdMLisZeoU3GrHtpe4GiPjitnZVzi3UzEIjmWI8QCQOSi8J1uzsBjd1TsxCjm9QKy8hWfBKSzoKPnquF2JlMPyJtr3BqTm0bncGEdS9OUh0vE~6OMIjopbyxj1oaljUJxIrt6-SNDJY2cVOpES7i4qF0Rv4lX1J5uZgesaUXAU8iHgEKgF5-ZV5i1A~dGoEAMoWBAAggdWbm8DfJUZSrJl2YWvSJeuCsHIL9YfdNw5UUe05qfyz9nUzQgmjMJdwQwJiadKZVUS3yjd8ozDakbCvJECrpiXpnNSnvfgpWk0EA0MsCFcaPaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire City Redevelopment Authority approved meeting minutes and its financial report and voted to transfer parcel 02-0238 at 203 Doty Street to the City of Eau Claire through a quitclaim deed, the authority decided during its meeting.

The transfer was described as a cleanup step for parcels remaining after the close of TID 7 and would “transfer the property back to the city, and then we don't have to worry about public access anymore,” Mr. Lee said when presenting the proposal. The chair called the vote after a motion and second; board members signaled their approval and the motion carried.

Why it matters: the parcel transfer clarifies ownership and formalizes public access through Gibson Street for a site adjacent to the building that will house the city’s data resource center (identified in the meeting as Better Way). RDA staff said the parcel’s legal description is irregular on some parcels left from TID 7, and transferring the specific parcel cited would be a cleaner immediate fix.

The board also approved the RDA budget and actuals report as of Aug. 31, 2025. Corey, who presented the financials, said revenues, expenditures and other financing sources are reported when realized and listed line items that totaled $7,602.67 (bond contractual services $151.32; water service $166.35; bond costs $7,285). The board approved the financial report after a motion and second.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve meeting minutes (motion made and seconded). Outcome: approved. (Mover/second: not specified in the record.)

- Motion: Approve RDA budget and actuals report as of 08/31/2025 (presented by Corey). Outcome: approved. (Mover/second: not specified in the record.)

- Motion: Approve transfer of parcel 02-0238 (203 Doty Street) to the City of Eau Claire via quitclaim deed to assure public access through Gibson Street (presented by Mr. Lee). Outcome: approved. (Mover/second: not specified in the record.)

What the RDA recorded: the transfer motion was described as a step to return remaining TID 7 parcels to city ownership; the board did not attach additional conditions to the transfer in the recorded discussion. Board members asked whether related parcels would be transferred at the same time; staff said legal descriptions on the other parcels are problematic and may require access agreements or additional cleanup before transfer.

The board adjourned after the actions above and further discussion items continued (see separate articles for Kessler Park cleanup and the housing overlay district discussion).","At its meeting, the Eau Claire City Redevelopment Authority approved the minutes and the RDA financial report and voted to transfer parcel 02-0238 (203 Doty Street) back to the City of Eau Claire via quitclaim deed to ensure public access through Gibson Street.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Eau Claire RDA outlines housing-overlay and Uptown redevelopment districts, debates RDA role in affordable housing

Eau Claire RDA to seek bids to clear structures at former Kessler Park; funds may be available

Eau Claire City RDA approves minutes, financial report and transfers Doty Street parcel to city