Committee approves quitclaim to remove 1960s retail-only restriction at 731 N. Third St.; Beacon Resources LLC to proceed

Wausau — The Wausau Economic Development Committee on June 3 approved a quitclaim deed that removes a decades-old deed restriction on the property at 731 North Third Street, commonly referred to in meeting materials as the Grable Building parcel.

The action, moved by Alder Gesselman and seconded by Alder Henke, passed without recorded opposition. The motion’s stated purpose was to extinguish a reservation in the 1960s deed that limited the parcel’s permissible use to a retail department store; committee members and staff described the vote as an administrative cleanup to remove a restriction no longer relevant to current development patterns.

City legal staff explained why the quitclaim was limited to the restriction rather than a transfer of ownership. Attorney Jacobson told the committee, “We’re not quit claiming ownership per se. We’re quit claiming any remaining interest we may have or rights to the restriction that the property only be used to develop a retail department store.” He said the city no longer owns the parcel and that the request originated from the current private owner’s title review.

Committee members asked whether the city knew the buyer’s intended project. City staff said the prospective developer has discussed possible plans privately and that no public proposal had been filed with the city as of the June 3 meeting. Several members voiced a preference for knowing project plans before removing restrictions; Alder Gesselman said he was “weary” and would watch subsequent steps closely. Another speaker cited a letter from the Department of Natural Resources that mentioned contamination concerns tied to the site and said that history made him cautious about further city involvement.

The recorded motion on the agenda read: “Approving quitclaim deed, Beacon Resources LLC, 731 North Third Street.” The committee’s recorded procedure was: motion by Alder Gesselman, second by Alder Henke, chair called for a voice vote and the motion passed.

Because the action removes a restriction rather than transferring property, staff said any future public approvals, permits or city involvement tied to a private redevelopment proposal would occur through separate processes and would come back to the committee or council as required.

The committee adjourned after approving the quitclaim deed; staff indicated the item will be reflected in title records following the clerk’s administrative processing.