downtown redevelopment

City Council approved a variance from the facade improvement program guidelines and authorized a partial payout of $23,556 to The Hook Lanes & Games for work at 1916 Washington Street.

The vote on the facade program variance and partial payout to The Hook Lanes & Games was 9-0.

Main Street’s director reviewed 2025 activities and presented a draft 2026 budget to the BID board.

Main Street projected a 2026 deficit of $7,466 and attributed it in part to Room Tax support dropping from $12,000 to $6,000 and difficulty obtaining sponsorships.

Board members questioned discrepancies in 2024 historical numbers; the explanation given was that a reconciliation occurred that year.

The BID board discussed that BID boundaries have not changed since 1997 and noted mismatches where some businesses that benefit from Main Street activity (or want to contribute) are outside the district.

The BID board directed Community Development staff and Main Street to develop BID boundary alternatives, with a joint meeting with the Main Street board planned for next May and City Council expected to take up the issue in 2026.

The BID board voted 7-0 to keep the 2026 BID assessment rate unchanged at $1.77 per $1,000 of assessed value, estimated to raise about $55,000.

City staff noted that rising property values matter because a flat BID rate can still increase individual owners’ bills as assessments climb.

A City Council work session agenda included downtown redevelopment items titled “Prioritization of development concepts” and “Determination of open space.”

Staff presented a proposed 2026 public visioning process for downtown and the former Hamilton site described as including surveys, meetings, voting, and outside facilitation to help set city priorities before developers propose projects.

Staff connected redevelopment planning to the environmental cleanup pathway, referencing DNR benchmarks and upcoming soil sampling.

Staff said rezoning is planned and noted that zoning and intended use affect what level of environmental cleanup is required.

City Council approved an ordinance rezoning the former Hamilton property (Parcel No. 053-000-052-030.05), currently owned by Fischer Scientific International LLC, from I-1 (Industrial) to B-1 (Business).

The rezoning vote was 8-0 and passed.

A required public hearing was held on the rezoning; three calls were made and no one spoke.

Staff told Plan Commission members to expect architectural and site plan reviews in April for Flavor Hut and Renee’s Popcorn, and referenced renovations at Vietnam Veterans Park; no plans were reviewed at this meeting.

Plan Commission received an update that Main Street is drafting a historic preservation ordinance expected to come to the Plan Commission in April or May.