Committee votes to reissue North Second Street RFP with deadline after area business asks for certainty

The Wausau Economic Development Committee on Oct. 7 voted to reissue an RFP for the North Second Street property with a definitive deadline after at least one nearby business asked for a set timeline to plan operations.

Why it matters: Business owners in the corridor told the committee they need certainty about potential street closures, construction and project timelines so they can decide whether to stay or relocate. A deadline for the RFP, committee members said, gives the neighborhood and businesses a clearer planning horizon.

Staff summary and options: Randy Feifrick told the committee the city received one prior proposal for the site but the developer later withdrew. He presented two options: (1) reissue an RFP with a defined deadline and timeline for proposals; or (2) post the site as an open‑ended request for information (RFI) and accept proposals as they arrive. Alder Killian reported direct feedback from a business owner who asked for a deadline so the business could plan for construction timing and traffic changes.

Committee action: Alder Henke moved to select option 1 and reissue an RFP with a definitive deadline; Alder Tierney seconded. The motion passed; one committee member recorded opposition during debate. Committee members asked staff to consider signage on the property to alert passersby about the site’s availability as an additional outreach step.

Next steps: Staff will set a deadline (staff suggested two to three months as a likely window, to be finalized after accounting for holidays and the committee’s calendar) and reissue the RFP. The committee asked staff to consider placing a visible sign on the site in addition to online postings.

Ending note: The committee recorded the motion and directed staff to return with RFP timing details and outreach plans.