Board selects Becker Hoppe Associates for West 5th Street real-estate acquisition services
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Summary
For the West 5th Street reconstruction project, the board approved selecting Becker Hoppe Associates of Wausau as the top-ranked real-estate acquisition consultant; staff said the service is required because state-funded projects must use WisDOT‑approved negotiators and appraisers and the city will fund the service 100% locally.
The Marshfield Board of Public Works on Dec. 2 approved staff's recommendation to contract with Becker Hoppe Associates of Wausau for real-estate acquisition services on the West 5th Street reconstruction project.
Josh Marley presented results of a competitive RFP issued in October for real-estate acquisition services. He said the project, scheduled for construction in 2027, requires temporary easements to accommodate roadway, sidewalk and utility work and that because the project includes state funding the acquisition must be done by negotiators and appraisers approved by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Marley said the acquisition-services cost will be funded 100% by the City of Marshfield and is not eligible for reimbursement from the SDP grant mentioned in the meeting.
Marley said four proposals were received by the Nov. 20 deadline and a selection committee of city staff ranked Becker Hoppe Associates first based chiefly on qualifications and a proposed schedule intended to meet a tight acquisition timeline. He recommended approval to authorize execution of an agreement with Becker Hoppe.
A board member asked why real-estate acquisition services cost in the order of $68,000 to broker temporary easements and suggested staff could seek guidance from state legislators about whether the WisDOT requirements drive up local costs. Marley replied the requirement applies when federal dollars pass through the state and that typical city-led projects without state funding generally do not follow the same process. A motion to approve the recommendation was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; the transcript records ayes but does not include a numerical roll-call tally.
Staff will proceed to execute an agreement with Becker Hoppe Associates and return to the board as needed for contract finalization and any related payments.
