WAUSAU — A proposed zoning change would pave the way for Wausau’s Veterans of Foreign Wars to operate in a new location.
Dan Southworth, commander of VFW Burns Post 388, appeared Aug. 28 before the city’s plan commission to request a zoning change for 316 Sherman St. to allow for bingo and a number of fundraisers for the organization.
The property is currently zoned as a unified development district with Wausau World Market. The plan commission approved Southworth’s request to amend the general development and precise implementation plan for the location to allow the VFW to move forward with its plan, a move that requires full council approval.
The VFW in 2016 closed the organization’s lounge, restaurant and banquet hall at 388 River Drive and on Sept. 1, 2017, sold the building for $565,000 to Opportunity of North Central Wisconsin, Inc., according to the Marathon County land records system.
Wausau’s VFW post is named in honor of James and John Burns, brothers from Wausau who were killed fighting in France during World War I. The organization is still hosting weekly bingo and other events, many of which have been held at the Wausau Labor Temple while a new home is secured.
The city council will vote on the rezoning measure on Tuesday.
