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Committee approves vacating Pine Ridge Boulevard to allow Wausau Hospital expansion
Summary
The Infrastructure and Facilities Committee approved vacating a short segment of Pine Ridge Boulevard so Aspirus/Wausau Hospital can expand parking and add 72 beds as part of a multiyear campus investment.
The Infrastructure and Facilities Committee voted to vacate and discontinue a stretch of Pine Ridge Boulevard from North 20 Eighth Avenue to West Hill Drive to allow a planned expansion of the Wausau Hospital campus. The committee approved the motion, with a second, and no members opposed.
The hospital's developer team presented during the public hearing. Tom Renzo, representing REI on behalf of Aspirus, described the area under consideration and said the land would be used to expand parking to support the campus. Jeff Wicklander, president of Wausau Hospital, said the planned building expansion would add an additional 72 beds and support what he called “a $227,000,000 investment into the community and additional 300 jobs,” to be realized over roughly a three- to three-and-a-half-year period.
The hospital team told the committee the expansion would create more walking space around Pine Ridge Boulevard, improve wayfinding and support increased patient volume. Renzo said the portion of roadway being vacated is on the west side of campus and showed the committee plans for a parking-lot expansion adjacent to the proposed building addition.
Committee members asked whether closing that short segment would disrupt local circulation. Alder Aldo Neal said closing the segment “doesn't really introduce any undue harm” and said he would support the vacation. Alder Watson said he had not heard public opposition in his district and also supported the measure. Engineering staff reported no public comments were received in the department's outreach.
The committee closed the public hearing, moved to possible action, and approved vacating the listed portion of Pine Ridge Boulevard. Committee members clarified the motion covered only Pine Ridge Boulevard from North 20 Eighth Avenue to the specified limit and not the adjacent West Hill segment shown on other drawings.
What happens next: The city will proceed with the legal steps required to vacate the right of way and document the change in the city records. The hospital team indicated the vacation supports near-term site work for the parking and the 72‑bed expansion; no construction schedule was adopted by the committee during the meeting.
