Council approves Business Campus multiuse-trail relocation order; staff to begin easement acquisition process

The Wausau Common Council approved a resolution on May 20 to approve the plat and relocation order establishing a multiuse trail extending west from 70 Second Avenue to 80 Fourth Avenue in the Business Campus (project ID 6999-18-11). The council voted 10–0 on the consent-pulled item.

Council discussion focused on property acquisition and the language in the relocation order that authorizes acquisition by eminent domain "if necessary." Alder Gisleman asked whether the city would have to use eminent domain or could purchase required parcels by agreement. City staff explained that because portions of the project are funded by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the acquisition process follows state requirements and the relocation order starts the process that includes appraisals, offers and, if necessary, condemnation as a last resort.

Alder Rasmussen and others emphasized the project’s safety benefits, saying the trail reduces conflicts between pedestrians and heavy truck traffic in the Business Campus and makes the area more attractive to employers and workers. Staff said some portions of the corridor are already city-owned but that the project crosses private property and will require smaller permanent or temporary easements in some places.

City staff outlined next steps: staff will conduct appraisals, make offers to affected property owners and return to the finance committee and council for approval of acquisitions and any purchase agreements; if property owners refuse to sell, further action would be returned to council. The relocation order formalizes the trail alignment and enables staff to begin negotiations.

The motion to approve the plat and relocation order was made by Alder Henke and seconded by Alder Rasmussen, and the council approved the item 10–0.