Eau Claire Plan Commission: New TIF District,
land for Day Resource Center
The Eau Claire Plan Commission's agenda for Monday includes a recommendation to the City Council for the establishment of the proposed Tax Incremental District #17, and a recommendation to the City Council on a proposal to declare the city-owned parking lot at Main and Farwell streets as excess land for the establishment of a Day Resource Center to serve unhoused individuals.
The Day Resource Center is a partnership among a number of entities to establish a site for a daytime shelter and for counseling and other services to help individuals who are homeless.
"Therapeutic activities and counseling will be offered in addition to employment, housing, and other necessary services. The Day Resource Center would also provide a place for people to go during the day to escape weather extremes in winter and summer," according to a City news release. Among the organizations involved are Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Hope Gospel Mission, the City, Community Haven House, Inc., and others.
City officials have identified the current parking lot at Main and Farwell as the preferred location for the center after what it says was "an exhaustive search of properties." To locate it there, the first step is to declare the site as excess land to be available for sale to a partner who would develop the center. It's estimated that about $6 million would need to be assembled to complete the center.
See pages 90-92 of the Agenda Packet linked below for details on the City's excess land recommendation.
Rose Johnson, owner of Offbeats, a violin business offering lessons, rentals, and repairs, raised questions at the March 21 City Council meeting about the compatibility of the center being immediately next door to her business, which serves children and their parents.
“We have direct experience with homeless use of my property,” she said. “The incidents are from several times a week to several times a day, and range from camping in the bathrooms where children need to go, to camping in our back stairwell outside and doing drugs there, to breaking into our suites.”
Johnson maintains that a different location should be considered, or that the City should assist relocation to help her maintain her business.
City officials have not shared details of which locations were considered or on what criteria the site recommendation was made. Some downtown business owners have questioned declaring the well-used parking lot as excess land before completion of a downtown parking study expected to be released this fall.
TIF #17 to facilitate The Sevens project
The Plan Commission is being asked to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding a proposed Tax Increment Financing plan for infrastructure improvements that are part of the $120 million "The Sevens" project, for which a development agreement was approved by the Council at its March 12 meeting. (See pages 20-61 of the Agenda Packet linked below.)
Located southwest of the I-94/US 53 intersection, the first phase will include "a business park that will be the future headquarters of Hoeft Builders as well as a highly-desirable location for office, medical, and other business purposes along this high visibility location with convenient access and proximity to the strong commercial retail center of Oakwood Hills and this growing portion of Eau Claire." The initial development agreement covers the business park phase.
"The second phase is residential and will include market rate multi-housing units expected in a diverse unit mix at a range of lease prices that will include those more attainable for renters at or under county median income. It is anticipated this development agreement will come before City Council in the next month assuming the initial phase is approved. In addition, a bike and pedestrian bridge over I-94 will be constructed allowing for connectivity to Oakwood Hills for the benefit of current and future residents and employees."
More information:
Eau Claire Plan Commission
• Monday, May 6, 7 p.m. Agenda Packet
City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
Downtown E.C. Site Eyed for Resource Center for Homeless (Volume One)
Proposed Day Resource Center makes progress; draws ire from local business (WQOW News 18)
Day Resource Center Update (City of Eau Claire)
Main and Farwell parking lot possible Day Resource Center (Leader-Telegram $)
The City of Eau Claire provides update on day resource center, plans to open next year (WEAU 13 News)
The Sevens project to bring commercial park, potential housing and I-94 footbridge (WQOW News 18)
$120M Development South of I-94 Gets City Council Green Light (Volume One)

City of Altoona seeks applicants for City Council vacancy
May 15 deadline for applications
City of Altoona is seeking applicants for Aldermanic District 3 (Wards 4 and 5), whose City City Council seat was vacated on April 30 because of the resignation of Jon Olson. A new member will be appointed by the City Council to serve until the next election in April 2025. Applicants must reside in the district. Applicants must submit a letter and resume by May 15 to the City Clerk's office at 1303 Lynn Avenue, Altoona. For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at 715-839-6092.

Chamber "Bravo to Business" Award nominations open
Nomination deadline May 10, Business Awards event Oct 17
Get ready to clap your hands and cheer because it's time for the Bravo to Business Awards! We're on the lookout for the shining stars of our community – those amazing businesses that are lighting up Eau Claire with their innovation, excellence, and community spirit.
Do you know a business that's setting the bar sky-high with their awesomeness? We want to hear about them! Whether they're a small but mighty team, a big player in the business world, a fresh newcomer, or a resilient force, we want to celebrate their brilliance.
Small Business of the Year - open to Chamber member businesses with under 50 full-time employees AND in business for 3 or more years
Business of the Year - open to Chamber member businesses with 50 or more full-time employees AND in business for 3 or more years
Emerging Business of the Year - open to any Chamber member OR non-member business with 25 or fewer full-time employees AND in business for less than 3 years
Resilient Business of the Year - open to any Chamber member business
Young Professionals Best Place to Work - open to any Chamber member business with 5 or more full-time employees
Nominations are open until Friday, May 10, with the Awards event on Thursday, October 17. Click here to nominate a business

More local stories...

What is the century code? Getting the public's opinion on new zoning regulations (WQOW News 18)

World Relief updates elected officials (Leader-Telegram $)

City mall plan suggests developments (Leader-Telegram $)

Silver Spring Mustards Crowned at National Competition (Volume One)

Downtown Menomonie conducting parking survey (WQOW News 18)

Healthcare stories...

Mayo Clinic to lease space in new UWEC science building for research (WQOW News 18)
Regents approve Mayo Clinic Health System’s lease of space in new science building (UWEC)

Marshfield Clinic pauses labor and delivery care in Rice Lake due to staffing (WPR)
MMC-Rice Lake temporarily pausing labor, delivery services (Leader-Telegram $)

OakLeaf Clinics open in former Prevea locations (Leader-Telegram $)

Mental health recovery center celebrates reopening in downtown Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)

Wisconsin has money for mental health crisis centers. That’s step one. (The Cap Times)

The HSHS/Prevea Task Force continues to work on addressing the ramifications of recent facility closures.
Click here: Task Force website to stay informed and sign up for updates

Amtrak to introduce second train on Wisconsin
route via La Crosse May 21
Planning underway for service to Eau Claire, Menomonie
Amtrak and the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois last week announced that a new train, named the "Borealis," will begin daily service between Chicago, Milwaukee, La Crosse, and St. Paul on May 21. The train supplements the current long-distance "Empire Builder" on the same route, which also runs to and from Seattle and Portland.
The service is expansion is part of continuing long-term efforts by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to add frequencies and cities to passenger rail service in the state.
“This route includes eight stations in Wisconsin, and doubling the frequency of the service will better connect the many businesses, universities and tourist attractions along this corridor,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “This expansion is thanks to the work WisDOT was able to do together with Minnesota, Illinois and Amtrak, as well as the opportunities provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We will continue to work with federal and state partners to explore more passenger rail options in Wisconsin.”
Federal studies are currently in progress under the US Department of Transportation's Corridor Identification and Development Program that takes the first step to add service to communities such as Eau Claire, Menomonie, Hudson, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fond du Lac. Potential Eau Claire and Menomonie service may come through a WisDOT-sponsored study of a through Chicago-Milwaukee-Madison-Twin Cities route and a study sponsored by the Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission for a regional Eau Claire-Twin Cities service.
A number of local Chambers of Commerce, prominent state and local businesses, education leaders, and local tourism agencies have signed on to a statement enumerating the potential value to more trains in the state:
“We support the expansion of passenger rail service in high-potential Wisconsin corridors as a needed and worthwhile investment for the economic future of our state. Frequent service to more cities will help attract and retain business and the talent critical to its success; provide a convenient, economical, and environmentally-friendly alternative to driving; accelerate economic growth opportunities; improve quality of life; increase tourism; and add resiliency to our transportation system.”
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is among the organizations who support passenger rail expansion. For more information or to sign up your organization, contact Scott Rogers at rogers@eauclairechamber.org
More information:
Introducing Amtrak Borealis trains with Expanded Service between St. Paul and Chicago via Milwaukee (Amtrak)
Train reservations (Amtrak.com)
New "Borealis" train to be added to Amtrak La Crosse route (WXOW)
Amtrak to launch new Twin Cities-Chicago round trip (Progressive Railroading)
Borealis & Empire Builder schedules, St. Paul-La Crosse-Tomah-Milwaukee- Chicago (Rail Passengers Association)
Federal Railroad Administration approves grant money for Wisconsin rail projects (West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition)
Wisconsin business groups applaud federal grants for passenger rail projects (West Central Wis Rail Coalition)
More steps are taken to make passenger rail service possible in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
Rail Commission discusses next steps (Leader-Telegram $)
Two Wisconsin passenger rail ideas back on the study track (WisBusiness.com)
Push for Amtrak passenger train services in Green Bay continues with NFL Draft on the way (Fox 11)
Explainer: How the Corridor ID Program works (High Speed Rail Alliance)

Fall election updates
The fall 2024 election will focus a lot of attention on Wisconsin, with the ballot to include the races for US President and US Senator. All eight Wisconsin Congressional districts will be on the ballot. There is also a lot of attention being play to legislative races as those candidates, with new districts in place, have begun to circulate nominating petitions. All 99 Assembly districts and the even-numbered State Senate districts will be elected this year. The Partisan Primary is August 13, and the General Election is November 5. Wispolitics.com has been tracking the new districts and candidate announcements. See the links below.
More information:
Link to 2024 legislative maps (Wisconsin Legislature)
Interactive map: Check the boxes at the upper left to select Assembly, Senate, and/or Congressional Districts. Zoom in to find you location and who your representatives are.
Status of 2024 Wisconsin Assembly races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
Status of 2024 Wisconsin Senate races (WisPolitics.com, with maps)
Eau Claire County Supervisor Skinner announces candidacy for Assembly (Leader-Telegram $)
Republican Michele Magadance Skinner announces run for 91st Assembly District (WQOW News 18)
Candidate hosts State Assembly District 93 Kick-Off Party (WEAU 13 News)

State and national stories...

Northland College leaders say campus will remain open (WPR)

UWEC Students Protest for Palestine, Send Demands to Administration (Volume One)

Wisconsin Public Radio Set To Change the Dial, Reorganize Networks (Volume One)

Trump blasts Biden’s economic record in Waukesha visit (WPR)

President Joe Biden to visit Racine Wednesday, his fourth trip to Wisconsin this year (WPR)

U.S. job growth totaled 175,000 in April, much less than expected, while unemployment rose to 3.9% (CNBC)

Immigrant workers are helping boost the U.S. labor market (CNBC)

Food for thought...

Debunking Myths about Free Enterprise (US Chamber of Commerce)
Data shows free markets and free enterprise improve economic mobility, equality, safety, production, life expectancy, and overall happiness across the globe.

COVID-19 Resources:
Eau Claire County COVID-19 Information Hub (Eau Claire City-County Health Department)

Mark your calendar:

Eggs & Issues: Economic Development Update
• Thursday, May 9

Business Community Reception
New Local Council and Board members
• Wednesday, May 15

Chamber Royale
• Thursday, May 16

Golf Day in Eau Claire
• Monday, Aug 5

"Bravo to Business" Awards
• Thursday, Oct 17

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
• Wednesday, Mar 5, 2025

Public Meetings Calendar
Click the link above for the our regularly updated schedule of public meetings.

Thanks for reading this issue of Business Advocate. If you have comments or questions, contact Scott Rogers, Vice President Governmental Affairs, at 715-858-0616 or rogers@eauclairechamber.org