March 3, 2026 — Economic Development Committee: Thomas Street Phase II results; Cleveland Ave outreach; CDA six-unit update
At a glance
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Committee approved the February 3, 2026 minutes (5-0). The Wisconsin DNR presented Phase II testing for the Thomas Street corridor: Areas B, C, and D showed only minor/isolated soil impacts with no groundwater effects; Area A showed elevated lead and dioxins in shallow soil and petroleum-related chemicals in deeper soil/groundwater, prompting an environmental contamination case. The DNR issued a Responsible Party Letter (Feb 11, 2026) requiring the City to hire a qualified environmental consultant by March 13, 2026 and submit a detailed investigation plan by April 12, 2026; the City will request consultant funding at the next Finance Committee meeting. Other items: 1300 Cleveland Ave public participation survey (98 responses) — full report to be shared in April; Community Development Authority six-unit project at 405 S 8th Ave pre-construction meeting scheduled March 4, 2026 with work starting when weather allows; April Economic Development Committee meeting will be rescheduled due to the Spring Election. Meeting adjourned at 6:16 PM.
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Key decisions
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- Approved Regular Economic Development Committee Minutes of February 3, 2026 (motion passed 5-0).
- Acknowledged DNR Phase II findings for the Thomas Street corridor and DNR actions: DNR opened an environmental contamination case for Area A and issued a Responsible Party Letter (Feb 11, 2026) requiring the City to hire a qualified environmental consultant by March 13, 2026 and submit a detailed investigation plan by April 12, 2026.
- Confirmed the City will pursue hiring an environmental consultant via a request to the Finance Committee.
- Noted that a report on the 1300 Cleveland Ave public participation survey (98 responses) will be presented at the April committee meeting.
- Noted the Community Development Authority six-unit project at 405 S 8th Ave: pre-construction meeting scheduled March 4, 2026; construction to begin as weather allows.
- Decided the April Economic Development Committee meeting must be rescheduled due to the Spring Election; committee members will be notified by email.
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Meeting information
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Economic Development Committee Meeting
Agenda
- 1 Public comment on agenda items and reading of the City of Wausau Public Comment Statement.
- 2 Consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting(s).
- a Regular Economic Development Committee Minutesattachments=1Decision: Consideration of the minutes of the preceding meeting(s).
- 3 Discussion and possible action.
- 4 Discussion.
- a Phase II review and next steps on Thomas Street corridor project with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resourcesattachments=1Decision: Discussion.
- b 1300 Cleveland Ave public participationDecision: Discussion.
- c Community Development Authority six-unit project at 405 S 8th AveDecision: Discussion.
- d Change of date for April Economic Development Committee meetingDecision: Discussion.
- 5 Adjournment.
Documents from this meeting
- Minuteshttps://wausauwi.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5699,plainText=false)
- Packethttps://wausauwi.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5502,plainText=false)
- Agendahttps://wausauwi.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5501,plainText=false)
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