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former hamilton site

Plans for reusing the former Hamilton site, including zoning, cleanup, and public input

What to Watch
Watch for how the visioning concepts get translated into binding actions (site plans, selling city land, development agreements, or additional zoning changes).
Coming Up

Typically discussed at Hamilton Property Community Visioning Process Phase 2. Check back when the next agenda is published.

The Story

The City Council voted 8-0 to change the former Hamilton property’s zoning from industrial to business, and no residents spoke at the required public hearing. The city is also running a multi-step “visioning” process to narrow redevelopment concepts, including design-preference exercises and discussions about neighborhood needs.

Key Decisions
  1. passed 8-0 City Council · Mar 2, 2026

    26-029 Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Code to Re-Zone the Former Hamilton Property, from I-1 (Industrial) to B-1 (Business), Located at Parcel No. 053-000-052-030.05, Submitted by the City of Two Rivers, Currently Owned by Fischer Scientific INTL LLC

    Motion to waive reading and adopt the ordinance as recommended by the Plan Commission

    Adam Wachowski Absent
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Mark Bittner Yes
    Shannon Derby Yes
    Bill LeClair Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
  2. passed 7-0 Plan Commission · Feb 9, 2026

    Review request to rezone the former Hamilton Property, from I-1 (Industrial) to B-1 (Business), located at Parcel No. 053-000-052-030.05, submitted by the City of Two Rivers, currently owned by Fischer Scientific INTL LLC.

    Motion made to recommend approval of the rezoning to the City Council.

    Rick Inman Yes
    Kay Koach Yes
    Kristin Lee Yes
    Matt Heckenlaible Yes
    Pat Klein Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
    Kyle Kordell Yes
Record

  1. Staff presented a proposed 2026 “Community Shared Vision” process for downtown and the former Hamilton site redevelopment, described as involving surveys, meetings, voting, and outside facilitation.

    City Council Work Session

  2. Staff linked the redevelopment visioning process to the site’s environmental cleanup pathway, including references to DNR benchmarks and upcoming soil sampling.

    City Council Work Session

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

    City Council Work Session

  4. Staff reported that Thermo Fisher Scientific supports a city-initiated zoning change of the former Hamilton Industries site from industrial to business zoning, with Plan Commission review expected in February and a City Council public hearing after that.

    Business and Industrial Development Committee - Community Development Authority

  5. Staff reported the city plans a community visioning process with the Main Street organization focused on redevelopment concepts, infrastructure needs, design standards, and public engagement for the former Hamilton site and the Main Street corridor.

    Business and Industrial Development Committee - Community Development Authority

  6. The Plan Commission discussed a zoning change for the former Hamilton property (Parcel No. 053-000-052-030.05) from I-1 (Industrial) to B-1 (Business); the request was submitted by the City of Two Rivers and the property is owned by Fischer Scientific INTL LLC.

    Plan Commission

  7. Plan Commission members were told PFAS-related materials had been submitted and that DNR approval was pending, with soil sampling expected in the spring.

    Plan Commission

  8. Plan Commission members were told the city plans to develop the property after acquiring it.

    Plan Commission

  9. The Plan Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the zoning change to the City Council.

    Plan Commission

  10. City staff updated a committee on resident feedback collected so far for the former Hamilton property visioning process and previewed the next phase meeting; no decisions were made.

    Library Board

  11. City Council held a public hearing on an ordinance to change the former Hamilton property’s zoning from I-1 (Industrial) to B-1 (Business), for Parcel No. 053-000-052-030.05.

    City Council

  12. No one spoke during the public hearing (three calls for comment).

    City Council

  13. City Council approved the ordinance changing the former Hamilton property’s zoning from industrial to business in an 8-0 vote.

    City Council

  14. The visioning group revisited concepts created in the prior session as part of Phase 3.

    Hamilton Property Community Visioning Process Phase 3

  15. The visioning group discussed area demographics and needs as part of Phase 3.

    Hamilton Property Community Visioning Process Phase 3

  16. UWGB design studio students led a group exercise on design preferences as part of Phase 3.

    Hamilton Property Community Visioning Process Phase 3
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