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Eau Claire RDA to seek bids to clear structures at former Kessler Park; funds may be available
Summary
RDA staff will solicit demolition bids for restroom and court structures at the former Kessler Park as part of a land-transfer and site-preparation process; staff said approximately $150,000 of unexpected RDA funds may be available to cover demolition and clearing.
The Eau Claire City Redevelopment Authority directed staff to solicit bids to demolish and clear remaining structures at the former Kessler Park site so the parcel can be marketed as a shovel-ready development site.
Aaron, who led the presentation on the Kessler Park cleanup, said parks staff will remove playground equipment for reuse at other parks but that an all-season restroom building and a basketball court remain on the parcel. Aaron described the restroom building as typically locked and infrequently opened because of safety and health concerns, including reports of unhoused people sleeping inside and evidence of drug use.
“Talking with park staff previously, it became a safety and health concern. They were having unhoused folks sleeping in it, and they found there was excessive amount of drug use in that,” Aaron said. He told the board the structure is usually locked and opened only for special events.
Finance director Winters told the board there are “about a 150,000, some unexpected funds within the RDA budget that could be used to go ahead and do the demo and clearing of this site,” Aaron said. Board members asked whether leaving structures in place might speed a sale if developer interest is strong; staff said a clear, shovel-ready site is generally more attractive and that demolition costs for a small restroom building could be similar to recent small-structure jobs (the presenter estimated a ballpark of $10,000–$15,000 based on prior “house-raising” projects).
The board asked about alternative uses for the restroom building, such as emergency warming locations; staff replied the facility contains only restrooms and would not easily serve shelter or gathering functions. After discussion, a board member asked staff to solicit demolition bids and return with cost estimates for the board to review; RDA staff said they would issue an RFP for demolition and bring bids back for approval.
What the RDA recorded: no final demolition contract was approved at the meeting. The recorded direction was to solicit competitive bids, then return to the board with cost estimates and a recommended contract award.
Clarifying details mentioned in the meeting include an estimated demolition cost “no bigger than that structure” (presenter’s ballpark: $10,000–$15,000), and an RDA staff statement that approximately $150,000 of unexpected funds might be available to cover demo and clearing work. RDA staff also said the site is 1.8 acres and has a 4-inch water stub on the southern end to support potential multifamily development; staff reported interest from three developers but said no proposals had been submitted yet.
Next steps: RDA staff will solicit RFPs for demolition and return to the board with bids and a recommendation.
