Marshfield Residents May Soon See Renovation of Another Multi-Story Building Near Downtown

Thursday, September 25th, 2025 -- 9:00 AM

(Erik Pfantz, Marshfield News-Herald) Marshfield residents may soon see the renovation of another multi-story brick building near downtown.

According to Erik Pfantz with the Marshfield News-Herald, the Community Development Authority approved on Sept. 2 a response to a request for qualifications from Oregon, Wisconsin-based Gorman and Company to redevelop the publicly owned Parkview Apartments located at 606 S. Walnut St.

A request for qualifications is a first step in securing a qualified developer to perform a project. Developers interested in taking on the project needed to submit various documents detailing their experience performing similar projects, ability to obtain tax credits, grants and other funding for the project, regulatory compliance, developer staff planned to be involved in the project and more.

The residential building and an 11-car garage also located on the 2.49-acre property were first built in 1968 and the apartments were last renovated in 1992, according to documents included in the request for qualifications.

A total of 97 residential units are located in the building including 95 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units. Other features of the building include a community room, a convenience store, a former full-service hair salon, an exercise room, a library, 62 on-site parking spaces and six laundry rooms.

A 2023 Physical Condition Assessment of the apartment building identified about $8.4 million in repair costs over the next 20 years with about $7.7 million needed in the first year and over $700,000 over the next 19 years.

The assessment reported the main electrical and mechanical systems in the building, including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, plumbing and drainage, are adequate for the building’s current usage but ongoing repair and replacement of these systems will be required for the building to continue to operate for at least the next 35 years.

The main objectives of the renovation project listed in the RFQ include modernization and energy efficiency, resident well-being and financial stability. These will be achieved through building system upgrades, improved unit and common space conditions, and tax and regulatory changes to support long-term affordability, according to the RFQ.

One notable part of the project is an anticipated displacement of residents both during and possibly after the building renovation, according to the RFQ. Both the developer and the CDA will be responsible for implementing relocation plans that ensure resident protections and give access to appropriate housing alternatives.

Relocation costs will be covered by funds secured by the developer, according to the RFQ. Construction work is not expected to begin until at least 2027, according to Gorman’s proposed project timeline.

If approvals continue, Gorman expects to reach a development agreement with the CDA in October, to apply to various funding sources in the first half of 2026, and to close on all necessary regulatory and construction agreements in November 2026.

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