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Council approves developer agreement for 0.44-acre downtown parcel; some members cite parking and placemaking concerns
Summary
The Common Council approved a development agreement that would transfer a 0.44-acre city parcel at Wolf River Avenue and Smith Street to Jerwolf Garden LLC in exchange for a development incentive equivalent to the parcel’s appraised value; the vote was 8-2 after council members raised concerns about parking and alternate placemaking ideas.
The Common Council approved a developer agreement to transfer a 0.44-acre city-owned parcel at the corner of Wolf River Avenue and Smith Street to Jerwolf Garden LLC, records from the Economic Development Committee and council session show.
The Economic Development Committee reviewed a draft agreement negotiated with Jerwolf Garden LLC. Administrator Hirth and the city assessor estimated the smaller parcel’s value at $46,200; under the draft agreement the city would provide a development-incentive grant equivalent to the property value so that no monetary exchange would be required for the purchase. Committee members also reported the developer did not request a TID incentive grant, which would allow the city to retain 100% of any future TID increment from improvements on the parcel for other district projects.
Nut graf: The transfer and incentive are intended to spur development in the downtown TID district, but several council members expressed reservations at the council meeting about parking and whether the parcel is the right site for a beer garden or other placemaking amenities.
Discussion and vote: At the council meeting, one council member identified as Mister Roberts said he supported returning the property to the tax roll but had reservations: he urged delaying action to consider placemaking ideas developed by a consultant from Madison and raised concerns that residents’ survey responses favored attractions such as a splash pad rather than another drinking establishment, and that parking loss could harm nearby businesses. "Most people wanted a splash pad or something else. Nobody in this town has ever said, I think we need another bar," Roberts said.
Despite those concerns, the motion to consider the developer agreement carried 8-2. The Economic Development Committee report notes the motion to recommend the agreement to council carried unanimously in committee.
Project particulars: The draft agreement would require the city to add curb, gutter and sidewalk in the city right-of-way on the parcel’s west side, likely timed with planned Pearl Street improvements over the next six years. Committee members noted the city has invested an estimated $8,000–$9,000 in the smaller parcel since acquisition; the parcel was donated decades earlier along with an adjoining 4-acre parcel by Wolf River Lumber Company, according to the administrator’s history provided at the meeting.
Ending: The council approved the agreement and the city will begin coordination with the developer on site improvements; staff and the Economic Development Committee will monitor TID increment retention and timing of public-right-of-way improvements.
