WAUSAU — Members of the city’s economic development committee on Tuesday opted not to reissue a request for proposals for a prime piece of downtown property until a possible proposal from an interested party could be reviewed.
Economic Development Director Chris Schock on Wednesday told Wausau Pilot and Review in an email that there is no current proposal for the property, though an undisclosed business has expressed interest.
“Just to clarify, there is not a proposal currently, we noted again last night there is interest,” Schock wrote. “The Committee discussed whether to re-issue the RFP or consider reviewing the potential proposal.”
The land in question, 120 Scott Street, is the site of the former Scott Street Steak and Pub, among other businesses, and is now a parking lot.
City leaders in March nixed a proposal for a four-story Cobblestone Hotel & Suites on the property amid concerns that the $1.5 million aid package requested by the developer was too high. The proposal called for a 61-room 9,929-square foot hotel that would have included a bar and restaurant, according to city documents.
Cobblestone Hotels, with headquarters in Neenah, was founded in 2008 and owns 90 hotels in 19 states including Wisconsin. A similar hotel project is underway in Stevens Point, according to the group’s website.
City Council President Lisa Rasmussen said if the local proposal is not feasible, she recommends the committee consider another RFP that casts a wider net.
