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Wausau holds public hearing on special assessments for four 2026 street reconstructions
Summary
The Wausau Board of Public Works on Dec. 3 heard staff explain proposed special-assessment rates and construction impacts for four 2026 street reconstruction projects; one resident called the estimated assessment "outrageous." Comments go to the Infrastructure and Facilities Committee Dec. 11 and Common Council Jan. 13.
Wausau City public works officials on Dec. 3 held a public hearing to gather testimony on special assessments tied to four street reconstruction projects planned for 2026.
Eric Lindman, director of public works and utilities, said the projects cover Stark Street (5th to 12th), North 8th Avenue (Spruce to Bridge), 2nd Street (Forest to Division) and Division Street (2nd East to the dead end). He told attendees that comments from the hearing will be referred to the Infrastructure and Facilities Committee on Dec. 11 at 5:15 p.m., with the committee’s recommendation forwarded to the Common Council on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Lindman listed the proposed special-assessment rates: "$55 per linear foot" for street curb and gutter, a $500 lump-sum charge for sewer-lateral replacement if done, drive approaches estimated at $8 per square foot and new sidewalk estimated at $16 per linear foot. He said staff would be available after the hearing to answer property-specific questions.
TJ Nixic, the city’s project engineer, walked through construction impacts residents should expect during reconstruction. Because the work is full reconstruction, crews will generally replace road pavement plus sanitary, water and storm mains; utility depths can vary and trenches may interrupt direct driveway access during the workday. "There’s gonna be a slight disturbance for a couple of hours when we have to connect you to this temporary main," Nixic said, describing a short-term above-ground 2-inch temporary water main that contractors will install while replacing the buried main and reconnecting services.
Nixic described logistics the city will use to reduce disruption: parking may be limited and residents are asked to move vehicles by 7 a.m. when contractors are working in a zone; cluster mailboxes will be located within one or two blocks if mail trucks cannot reach a street; garbage should be placed at the end of driveways by 7 a.m. and, if a truck cannot access a street, the contractor will move bins to a nearby corner for pickup and return them to properties later. He also said the water department is separately coordinating lead-lateral replacements and that residents with lead laterals will be contacted by a different contractor (identified in the hearing as 5 Star).
During public comment, a Stark Street resident who identified herself as Janine said she did not fully understand special assessments and objected to the proposal for her block. She said her property lacks a driveway and cited an alley that she said needs paving. "I think $3,300 is an outrageous number since we already pay taxes to the city for a public road that everybody uses," Janine said, and asked that her remarks be entered into the record.
Lindman acknowledged the comment and said it would be recorded and forwarded to the Infrastructure and Facilities Committee and the city council. With no other speakers, he closed the hearing and made a motion to adjourn, which was met with an "Aye." Staff remained available after the meeting to answer individual questions.
City officials said residents will receive pre-construction letters with schedules and contact information a few weeks before work begins and will be able to reach engineering staff and the contractor through the contacts provided for specific property concerns.
