Eau Claire RDA approves 45-day extension for Riverside MOU; reviews Brownfields grant and Cannery District updates

The Eau Claire Redevelopment Authority on Feb. 19 approved year-end financial reports and voted to extend the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Riverside site for 45 days while staff and the developer work through survey and design issues.

The vote followed a lengthy discussion about the developer’s continuing need to resolve a survey error and reconfigure a narrow site for a mixed-use project originally presented as roughly 21–24 residential units with six to eight ~300-square-foot commercial "live-work" spaces. Board members pressed for a shorter, more closely monitored extension than previous 90-day extensions; the board approved an amended extension period of 45 days with the expectation of progress reports during that period.

The financial report presented at the meeting showed operating and capital activity through Dec. 31, 2024 (with RDA activity through Jan. 31, 2025 noted as none since that date). Reported expenditures as of Dec. 31, 2024 included $76,039.73 in current expenditures and a set of smaller line items: $82.30 for postage and shipping, $47.10 for auditing, $154.79 in bond-related special services, $319.94 in water utilities, $29,490 in bond issue expenses, and $45,945.60 recorded as a loss on property related to land credits. Staff said some land-credit accounting will continue to move through the RDA fund into future years.

Why it matters: the Riverside site is within the Cannery District, a priority redevelopment area for the RDA. Extending the MOU gives the current developer more time to attempt to make the project feasible on a constrained parcel, but board members repeatedly noted the trade-off between holding the property for a larger residential project and opening it to alternative proposals that might produce lower valuation but faster activation, such as a commercial roastery/café concept the authority has discussed.

Board discussion and motion: staff said this would be the third extension for the project; the delay stems from a combination of financing negotiations, construction-cost pressures and a recently discovered survey discrepancy that narrowed buildable area where roadway improvements reduced parcel width. Several board members recommended a shorter, more definitive timeline (45 or 60 days) with clear benchmarks and monthly updates; the board adopted a 45-day extension. The MOU remains with the current developer during that period, and staff said if the developer cannot make the project work the RDA will re-open the site to other proposals.

Brownfields grant and site assessment: staff updated the board on the EPA Brownfields Assessment grant work. The RDA plans to use assessment funds for Phase I environmental work on a northern Cannery District parcel (the Wisconsin HVAC/packing plant site) and continues outreach to other property owners in the North Barstow corridor for possible Phase I/II assessments. Staff said the grant period runs through the end of 2026 and that the RDA will present a more detailed map of assessed parcels to the board when more sites are under contract.

Executive director and project updates: the executive director reported progress elsewhere in the Cannery District and downtown. Highlights included continued facade and interior work at the P & R properties (phase work underway), Kessler Park reaching a promotion-ready stage with staff planning a promotional outreach the week of March 17, and a planned marketing push for the Heights infill site in mid-April. Staff also reported interest in filling Haymarket Landing, though details are preliminary.

Zoning and other community projects: staff said the city’s zoning overhaul will return to plan commission for review in June and proceed to city council in July; the comprehensive plan process will follow in late 2025/2026. The board received an update on the Mount Washington project: staff said a construction lien for just under $1 million exists against the contractor, the developer has not responded to city inquiries, and the RDA has no formal notice that work has ceased. Staff also noted demolition of a small, derelict nursing facility on the site had removed a hazardous building but did not indicate a further schedule for redevelopment.

Votes at a glance: - Financial statements (RDA budget and actuals through 12/31/2024; RDA activity through 01/31/2025): motion to approve made and seconded; financials approved by voice vote (no roll-call tally recorded in meeting minutes). - MOU extension for Riverside site (Moating Partners — developer name as stated at the meeting): motion to extend MOU amended to 45 days, seconded; motion approved by voice vote. The extension was described in discussion as the third extension for this project; staff may return with further action if the developer cannot make the project feasible within the extension period.

What’s next: staff will present fund-balance detail at an upcoming meeting (board members requested a clearer fund-balance report). The RDA’s next regular meeting was announced for March 19; staff said they will continue Brownfields outreach and will publicly market Kessler Park and the Heights parcel in March–April.