Wausau Finance Committee to review downtown parking project – Wausau Pilot & Review

By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review

The Wausau Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday to review necessary amendments to the city’s Tax Increment Districts to accommodate previously approved 2025 budget projects, including planned parking improvements in downtown Wausau.

The project, which was approved by the City Council in the 2025 budget, involves parking improvements along North 4th Street, McIndoe Street, and Franklin Street—areas adjacent to the Woodson YMCA. The initiative aims to expand year-round parking in the downtown area, providing additional spaces for visitors and businesses.

The YMCA, which is expanding “The Landing,” originally proposed demolishing the building at 404 Franklin Street to create a private parking lot. However, the Plan Commission denied an amendment to the General Development Plan that would have allowed for this change. Instead, city staff worked with the YMCA to explore alternative options, ultimately determining that on-street parking would be the most beneficial solution, as it would increase public parking rather than creating a private lot.

To support the project, the YMCA has agreed to contribute $119,000—50% of the estimated cost. City officials say that it is rare for private organizations to fund municipal infrastructure projects, making this contribution particularly significant for the city’s budget.

The parking improvement plan has already moved through several stages of approval:

• February 21, 2024 – Plan Commission denied the YMCA’s request to establish a private parking lot.
• May 9, 2024 – The Infrastructure & Facilities Committee approved angled parking and the dedication of right-of-way (ROW) from 404 Franklin Street.
• May 21, 2024 – The Plan Commission approved the ROW dedication.
• June 11, 2024 – The City Council approved the ROW dedication.
• November 12, 2024 – The City Council approved the 2025 budget, which includes the parking improvements under TID 3.

City staff emphasized that infrastructure projects follow a standard approval process. Once a project is included in the city budget, it is generally considered approved unless additional actions—such as property purchases or public hearings for special assessments—are required. The proposed parking project followed this process and is now in the design phase, with bidding expected to begin this spring. The final step is amending TID 3 to formally allocate funding for the work.

At Tuesday’s meeting, city staff will recommend that the Finance Committee place the North 4th Street, Franklin Street, and McIndoe Street parking improvements within the TID 3 Amendment to ensure the project moves forward as planned.

The Finance Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 407 Grant St., Wausau.