Wausau City Council Approves T Wall Enterprises’ Extension

Monday, October 16th, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) After hours of closed-session and open-session discussion, the Wausau City Council voted 7-3 to approve a nine-month extension of the groundbreaking deadline for T Wall Enterprises’ proposed Foundry on 3rd development.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Economic Development Manager Randy Fifrick said the terms of the agreement remain similar to what was first proposed back in August. T Wall now has until June 1st to break ground on the project and must deliver a completed project by November 1st, 2025.

“This isn’t something that we wanted to approve. We would love to have them working right now,” said Fifrick. “But this is a necessary thing as we approach winter.” He hopes that T Wall will use the next few months to plan the best course of action for construction.

“They have submitted building plans to the city, so we are excited about that. Hopefully, by the time we get to spring, we will have everything in place.” Alders Gary Gisselman, Lou Larson, and Tom Kilian provided the no votes. Alder Dawn Herbst was absent.

During the open discussion, Alder Becky McElhaney noted that she would vote yes despite the wishes of some of her residents. McElhaney added that she would not consider a second extension of the groundbreaking deadline, a sentiment that Mayor Katie Rosenberg echoed following the meeting.

“[I do not] want them back here for another extension. I want them back here inviting us to a ribbon-cutting,” said Rosenberg. The Council also approved a cooperation agreement with Wausau Opportunity Zone that clarifies WOZ will be responsible for the cancellation of an agreement for site work with Melvin Enterprises.

The agreement also spells out what site costs WOZ will be responsible for. That includes soil removal and site cap work. That work needs to be done before T Wall can officially break ground on the site. Costs associated with the work will either be paid by WOZ directly or paid by the city, then reimbursed by WOZ.

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