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Committee OKs Request for Qualifications to Attract Builders for Infill Lots
Summary
Wausau’s Economic Development Committee approved issuing a request for qualifications to identify contractors experienced with modular and manufactured homes to build on the city’s infill lots, including potential Thomas Street units; the RFQ emphasizes flexibility and asks proposers to address scalability.
The Wausau Economic Development Committee voted March 4 to approve a request for qualifications seeking contractors to partner with the city to build on infill lots, including modular and manufactured homes.
Tammy Struts, a city staff member, told the committee the RFQ is intended to produce a shortlist of contractors who can work with variable lot conditions and help lower costs compared with strict requests for proposals. “This gives us the ability to work with them, and they can help us bring the cost down,” Struts said.
Committee members asked staff to make the RFQ flexible. Alder Killian suggested including a range of example house sizes (for instance, two-bedroom options) so proposers know the city is open to smaller footprints. Alder Killian also recommended asking proposers to describe cost differences for different production scales — for example, the price per unit when building two homes versus seven homes.
Staff described a prior example price: about $144,000 for a modular home and roughly $44,000 for an attached garage in an earlier Bridge Street example, with excavation and other site work not fully known. Randy, a city staff member, and Megan (a project professional) explained that narrow or logistically difficult lots — Bridge Street was cited — can raise costs and safety constraints for modular deliveries.
Alder Tierney moved to approve the RFQ; Alder Henke seconded. Alder Killian’s suggestions were noted for inclusion. The motion passed by voice vote.
Staff said shortlisted firms will return for council action on any selected partnerships and that the RFQ is intended to be usable across the city’s inventory of infill parcels while also supporting future work on Thomas Street once environmental cleanup is complete.
