Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information provided by Council Member Pat Peckham. The proposed monthly rent for the facility has been set at $1,000.
By Shereen Siewert
A well-known local soft-serve ice cream vendor with seven central and northern Wisconsin locations is one step closer to operating a riverfront concession stand now under construction in Wausau.
A proposal from Holly and Kevin Briquelet Miller to operate a Briq’s location at the site was discussed Tuesday at a an economic development committee meeting. The group approved the plan after meeting in closed session.
Terms of the final proposal were not included in the public packet for Tuesdsay’s meeting, but Council Member Pat Peckham said information sheets were handed out at the meeting itself.
Under the proposed initial terms released in December, Briq’s at Riverlife Park would operate from approximately May 1 through Oct. 1 depending on weather, offering “grab and go” snacks in addition to soft-serve ice cream.
Briq’s initial plan called for a monthly lease rate of $750 per month for a three-year term, with options to renew at a 3 percent increase for each three-year term thereafter. Proposed rent, at the committee’s request, is now $1,000 per month, Peckham said.
After an initial three-year rental period, a rent increase greater than Briq’s proposed 3% rate could be negotiated, Peckham said.
Briq’s would pay all personal property taxes as required by law and Wausau would pay any required real estate taxes. Utilities would be Briq’s responsibility.
The proposal also included maintenance on the restrooms as well as management of other amenities such as bike and kayak rentals that are envisioned for the area.
A vote by the full council on the plan is expected on March 12.
The concession stand is part of Riverlife Park, a roughly $4.6 million project that will include state of the art playground equipment, outdoor exercise equipment, climbing nets and other features. All amenities will be located steps from the river, along the riverfront trail.
Construction began in May and is due for completion in the spring of 2019.
Briq’s was the sole business to respond to Wausau’s request for proposals for the operation, Economic Development Director Chris Schock said in December. The RFP was issued Sept. 28. Briq’s currently operates seasonal locations in Wausau, Weston, Rib Mountain, Mosinee, Merrill, Rhinelander and Minocqua.
