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Finance committee approves temporary downtown park, designates TID 7 funds
Summary
The Finance & Taxation Committee approved about $19,700 in temporary improvements for a downtown vacant lot — including sodding, landscaping and durable game pieces — and specified funding from TID 7 while the city solicits longer-term proposals.
The Finance & Taxation Committee voted to approve temporary improvements to a downtown vacant lot and specified that the work be funded from Tax Increment District 7.
Administrator Wendy told the committee the city purchased the lot in September and is promoting it as an “opportunity site” while gathering community input and letters of intent from potential developers. She proposed making the parcel a flexible open park with landscaping, sodding, repurposed picnic tables and durable game pieces such as cement bags boards and a foosball-style table.
Wendy said the total estimate, including initial watering for the sod, was about $19,700. She said the improvements are intended to be temporary and movable so items can be relocated if a permanent development proceeds. “We are prepared to gather information from the community as well as the business community, residents, and any potential developers,” Wendy said.
Park supervisor Trim explained that most of the lot would be sodded as the quickest way to establish green space, with a narrow crushed-stone walkway through the center to meet ADA access requirements and mulched landscaping strips along 11th Street. Trim said the tables and game pieces would require equipment to move and would not be easily carried off by passersby.
Committee members raised concerns about event logistics, including whether the public parking portion of the lot would remain available and whether portable toilets would damage newly sodded areas. Wendy said parking would remain public and that event logistics (including placement of portable toilets) would be handled through the special event permit process with input from Green County Tourism and city staff.
A committee member moved to approve the project and specify use of TID 7 funds; another member seconded. The clerk recorded ‘Aye’ votes from members present and the motion passed.
The committee approved moving forward with the temporary park improvements and asked staff to coordinate timing and event logistics; Wendy said the city aims to have sod and signage in place for a May 31 Main Street kickoff event to begin collecting community input.
