Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grosnick Parcels topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board discusses options for two Main Street parcels; staff recommends keeping parcels together
Summary
Trustees discussed alternatives for two parcels on Main Street and Fond Du Lac Avenue acquired by the village, including holding, limited improvements, selling as-is, issuing an RFP for desired development, or developing for public use. Staff advised keeping the parcels together to preserve development options.
Village officials and trustees discussed alternative paths forward for two parcels the village acquired on Main Street and Fond Du Lac Avenue, with staff recommending the village keep the two parcels together to preserve the value and a second access point to the larger 5.2‑acre lot.
Administrator Kraklo explained the village bought the parcels to gain control of future development and to provide a second access point to a roughly 5.2‑acre parcel that otherwise would be severely limited without access from Fond Du Lac Avenue. Staff presented several non‑exclusive options: hold the parcels until approached by a developer; complete relatively low‑cost improvements such as a parking lot or pocket park and hold; list the parcels for sale as‑is; define desired future uses and release a developer RFP (an approach the administrator said Port Washington had used as an example); or develop the parcels for a permanent public purpose such as parking, green space or a community venue.
Trustees emphasized different priorities. Trustee Kaminski said the parcels could become an important linkage between future developments and advised either short‑term holding or defining a desired future use and keeping the two parcels together. Trustee Bob Warren urged a defined public objective and said he favored option 5 — defining desired future development before sale — because that aligns with why the village purchased the land. Trustee Jan Miller suggested the village could temporarily repurpose the smaller building for village activities if sale is delayed, but staff noted potential buyers would expect access to the larger parcel and the building could be removed if sold together.
Why it matters: the parcels are adjacent to the proposed village center and could affect Main Street parking, access and the character of downtown redevelopment. Trustees noted that properties removed from the tax rolls could return to the tax rolls and generate revenue if sold or developed.
No formal action was taken; the item was for discussion only. Trustees asked staff to continue to evaluate options and brought up the possibility of additional outreach if firm purchase offers are received. Trustee Kaminski and others said they preferred holding the parcels for up to a year while monitoring other nearby projects and the village’s larger master plan.
