Marshfield council directs negotiations for affordable housing at former Weinberger factory

The Marshfield Common Council voted to direct City Administrator Steve Bard to begin negotiations with Jeffers for an affordable-housing project at the former Weinberger Shoe Factory, a move the council recorded as passing unanimously.

A representative of Main Street Marshfield (identified in the transcript as Carter) opened the topic during public comment with a written resolution supporting "the proposed project between City of Marshfield and Jay Jefferson Company to redevelop the former Weinberger Shoe Factory in a multifamily development," arguing that downtown residential units "increase consumer spending power within walking distance of businesses in Downtown Marshfield" and support historic preservation.

Council members reviewed a staff survey of redevelopment options for the Weinbrenner/Weinberger property; staff said the top option was to "start negotiations with Jeffers for [an] affordable housing project," while options favoring partial or full demolition scored lowest. Council member Kranz spoke in favor of negotiations and described a vision that would preserve the tower as a museum while allowing housing in other parts of the building: "My vision of the old Weinbruner Building is to at least have the tower part as historical, museum... I'm willing to negotiate or compromise on there being housing, especially senior housing in the back part."

After a motion to direct the administrator to negotiate with Jeffers was made and seconded, the council voted in favor; the chair recorded the motion as passing unanimously. The resolution read earlier by Main Street Marshfield was offered to the council for consideration as part of the record supporting downtown residential reuse and historic preservation.

Next steps: City staff were directed to begin negotiations; the transcript does not record any final terms, funding commitments, timeline, or a vote on a specific development agreement.