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Committee forwards draft purchase agreement for county land east of Oakleaf Clinic to full board
Summary
The Facilities Committee approved sending a draft purchase agreement with Workhorse Development to the county board for a property east of Oakleaf Clinic; the developer described a concept that combines senior housing, daycare and retail and said details on unit counts, parking and pricing remain preliminary.
DUNN COUNTY — The Dunn County Facilities Committee voted to forward a preliminary purchase agreement with Workhorse Development to the full County Board after a developer presentation about a proposed senior housing and mixed-use project east of Oakleaf Clinic.
The developer described the concept as three buildings on roughly 8.72 acres: a three-floor senior-living building, a 16,000-square-foot daycare and a separate retail building that could include a small café or drive-through. The developer said the senior portion is being proposed as 55-plus independent-living units; the current concept estimates about 80 units on the upper floors but final unit counts will be set during design.
Why it matters: committee members said the site’s proximity to medical facilities and existing services makes the location attractive for seniors and could help free up single-family houses. Members also discussed whether the project could or should include affordable housing or workforce units, and they requested more information about parking, green space and developer references.
Mike (Workhorse Development partner) told the committee the team aims to work with the county and the city of Menomonie and noted the property sits in a tax-increment financing (TIF) district, which will require city-level development agreements if tax-increment incentives are used. “We come in to listen to what you guys want in your community,” Mike said of the developer’s approach.
Committee members pressed for specifics. Larry (County supervisor) asked whether units will be independent living or include assisted-living and memory-care; the developer said the current concept targets independent-living (55-plus) and that assisted or memory care would be determined after a needs assessment. The committee also discussed the potential for green space, extending nearby bike trails and the possibility of donating a park parcel back to the city.
Motion and outcome: the committee voted to forward the draft purchase agreement to the County Board for consideration. The motion was offered during the meeting and carried by voice vote; committee members noted the agreement is preliminary and contingent on city approvals and other due diligence.
What remains unresolved: the purchase price details, unit pricing and whether the project will include affordable or workforce-rate units were described as “too early” to finalize. The developer said the earliest construction start would be late fall if permitting and closing proceed quickly; otherwise ground-breaking would likely wait until the following spring.
Ending: Committee members asked the developer to return with additional materials, references and example project sites; staff will carry the draft agreement to the County Board for formal consideration.
