Wausau parks committee debates winter rent, leaves RiverLife concession choice to Feb. 2

The City of Wausau Parks and Recreation Committee reviewed proposals and debated lease terms for the RiverLife concession stand during a special meeting on Jan. 19, deciding to defer a final vendor selection until its Feb. 2 meeting.

Jamie, parks staff, told the committee she had compiled utility records for the concession/restroom building and said water averaged about $5,000 per year ("meaning that's $416 a month") and electric averaged about $6,000 per year, with combined utility costs presented in documents as roughly $916 a month. She noted the building sits on a single meter shared with public restrooms, which drives usage figures and makes it difficult to separate restaurant versus restroom costs.

Two distinct proposals were before the committee. Dylan Owen, one prospective operator, told the committee he had secured funding to build out the space and cover start‑up equipment and signage, and asked for a timely decision so he could mobilize for a spring opening. "We did secure the funding and do have the funding to fully build out that space," Owen said. His updated offer would add $100 per month across 12 months on top of seasonal rents outlined in his written proposal.

A second proposer described a volume‑based year‑round plan, saying the stand could be profitable with long hours and expanded offerings. Committee members warned that a plan that effectively converts the small concession building into a full restaurant or music venue could overwhelm the site.

Much of the committee's debate centered on whether to require full or reduced rent during off‑season months when the stand would not be operating. The RFP in the packet carried a desired lease of $1,000 per month May–October and $750 per month for the remainder of the year; the actual proposals submitted varied from those figures. Committee members raised three options: accept the proposals as submitted and negotiate contract terms with a selected vendor, reissue the RFP with different off‑season terms (a process staff said could be done on a two‑week turnaround if exact edits were specified), or choose not to select a vendor.

Alder Neal moved on the floor to change the off‑season rate to a substantially reduced number (he suggested $250 per month) while keeping a $1,000 seasonal rate, arguing the tenant needs "breathing room" to contend with weather and traffic variability. "We have to give the tenant a little bit of wiggle room and breathing room to deal with the vagaries of the business," he said. The motion failed to proceed after it did not receive a second.

Several committee members urged caution about reopening the RFP late in the process because changing the scoring criteria after proposals were submitted could be unfair to those who responded under the original terms. Others said selecting a concept now and negotiating the precise lease during contract discussions — and then sending the lease to finance for approval — would be an efficient path forward.

Jamie said the utilities for the RiverLife area are budgeted in the city's '400 block' line and that she would verify revenue and expenditure line items with the finance director to clarify how much of the cost is currently covered by room tax or other funds.

The committee did not select a vendor at the Jan. 19 meeting. Jamie confirmed the RFP item will return to the Feb. 2 agenda with the same packet materials and a request that the committee either choose a vendor or defer. Any recommendation to approve a lease would then go to the finance committee for final approval and negotiation.

A motion to adjourn, moved by Alder Neal and seconded by Alder Watson, passed by voice vote and the meeting concluded.

Next steps: the RiverLife concession RFP will return to the Parks and Recreation Committee on Feb. 2 for a potential vendor selection and, if a finalist is chosen, subsequent lease negotiations and finance committee review.