Marshfield City Council Stops TIF District for New Hotel
Wednesday, January 9th, 2019 -- 8:04 AM
(WDLB) -Marshfield aldermen have for now put up a major roadblock to the city getting a new hotel development.The Common Council voted 5-to-4 last night in favor of creating a tax incremental financing district which would aid in the development of an 86-room hotel on the site of the Knight of Columbus Hall on West Upham Street. However, the proposed resolution needed a minimum of six votes for passage. The proposed resolution would have created a tax incremental financing district specifically for the K-C Hall site, and would have provided a funding mechanism for helping a developer create a Hampton Inn and Suites on the property, while also improving the adjacent streets and providing the developer with a 750-thousand dollar incentive. Rick Roehl, an investor in Hotel Marshfield on the south side, said the new Hampton Inn is not needed, because there's enough room at the city's five existing hotels.
Richard Fischer, from the K-C Hall board of directors, said the creation of the TIF district would help the organization sell the property. Kristen Fish-Peterson from Madison-based Redevelopment Resources presented a plan which calls for the eventual development of a five-point-two million dollar hotel to be built on the three-and-a-half acre parcel at 400 West Upham. The plan calls for the city to assist financially in getting the site ready for the new hotel. Under the plan, the city would spend up to two-point-four million dollars for street improvements, developer incentives and financing costs. Council members held a lengthy discussion regarding the creation of the district, weighing in on the introduction of another hotel, the selling of vacant property, and what the district could do for future development. Alderman Steve Mac Swain was against the proposed TIF District.
Alderman Mike Feirer stated that even if the city didn’t want to assist with a hotel development, the district should be created to help the existing property owners. Feirer joined Aldermen Chris Jockheck, Tom Witzel, Nick Poeschel and Tom Buttke in supporting the proposed creation of the TIF District. Aldermen Gordy Earll, Steve Mac Swain, Rebecca Spiros and Jason Zaleski voted "no". Alderman Peter Hendler was absent.
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