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City staff: Phase 2 testing next step for Thomas Street infill; councilors press for single-family homes
Summary
City staff reported Phase 1 work is complete and Phase 2 environmental testing of city-owned lots on Thomas Street is expected; staff said transferring properties to the Community Development Authority could unlock EPA and DNR funding options, while several alderpersons urged the city to honor prior commitments to single-family infill.
City of Wausau staff told the Economic Development Committee on Feb. 4 that phase 2 environmental testing is the next step for city-owned properties on Thomas Street and that results are not expected back until early summer.
"Phase 1 was complete in December... I wouldn't anticipate that we'll see any results back before early summer," said Mr. Kieferich, a staff member presenting the Thomas Street infill and WAM Grant update. He said phase 2 testing will examine the city's lots on Thomas Street and that results will determine the potential scope and timeline for cleanup and redevelopment.
Kieferich said staff is considering transferring the properties to the Community Development Authority (CDA) within 180 days because such a transfer "opens up some different opportunities for grant funding," including potential low- or no-interest loans and DNR funding for cleanup. "If the city were to maintain or to continue to own them, we would be looking and have to find our money ourselves. Where if we go through the CDA, it opens up opportunities for low interest loans, low to no interest loans on these properties," he said.
Several alderpersons pushed for single-family infill on Thomas Street. Alder Gisselman and Alder Tierney said prior community meetings had emphasized single-family homes and urged the council to honor that direction. "I think we have to honor...the promises," one alder said during the discussion. A separate alder emphasized that they do not believe the city is under a legal requirement to build single-family homes but said it has been the prevailing community expectation.
Kieferich cautioned that unknown environmental outcomes could change cost and timing. He said that in a best-case scenario — if test results are favorable — the city might pursue options to place a first handful of houses on lots during the summer, with construction more likely in spring 2026. He stressed uncertainty: "In all likelihood, it's probably spring of '26 before we're actually seeing any construction or homes going in there, and I think that's a best case scenario."
Committee members asked questions about timelines and the role of the CDA. Kieferich said transferring the properties to the CDA would provide access to EPA low- or no-interest loans and DNR cleanup funding; if not transferred, responsibility for financing cleanup would remain with the city.
No formal action was taken; the item was presented for information and will return to the committee for future decisions after testing results are available.
