Wausau committee approves pool of contractors to build infill single‑family homes

The Wausau Economic Development Committee voted to approve three contractors as an approved pool to build single‑family infill housing on city lots, the committee decided May 6.

Committee members said the contractor pool will let staff shop multiple vendors for the best price and product for each lot while keeping design choices flexible to fit neighborhoods. Staff said they received three responses to a request for qualifications and had visited one contractor’s facility.

City housing program staffer Tammy Strats, who led the procurement effort, said the three firms “all kinda have the same philosophy” and can advise whether a site is better for a manufactured home, modular home or a stick‑built home. "They can really help us identify the lot, what works best in that area, and help us keep the cost down," she said.

Strats and other staff said construction costs remain high: Alder Tierney noted that a finished three‑bedroom home can run about $300,000 and that manufactured homes typically bring costs down. "If you do a manufactured home, it'll bring the cost down," Tierney said. City staff said some designs being discussed are roughly three bedrooms and one bath as a guideline for pricing and fit.

Alder Walter Killian stressed that the city’s stated priority is single‑family homes, and said he had confirmed with staff that duplexes are not the program’s goal although a future site surrounded by duplexes could be considered for that product. "Randy did indicate that, yes, that's what your goal is," Killian told staff.

Randy Pfeiffer, a city staffer involved in the procurement, described the committee’s intended process: keep all three firms in the approved pool and evaluate which firm offers the best value for each particular lot. "When we have a lot available, we can work with all three of them to see that who has the best product that not only fits the neighborhood but comes in at the best price point," he said.

Committee members asked about design details. Staff said they would prefer housing that fits neighborhood character—no flat roofs and front porches when feasible—and noted the city requires a garage on new construction. Members also discussed whether the approved pool should remain open to new contractors in the future; staff said new contractors could be considered if needed.

The committee approved the motion "to approve the contractors to move forward for single family and fill housing," moved by Alder Henke and seconded by Alder Tierney. The motion passed unanimously.

The committee directed staff to continue outreach to neighborhood stakeholders and to return with refined documents and a plan for public engagement as projects move from lot selection to development.