NC Wisconsin News

CITY OF PARK FALLS APPROVES PLAN FOR CITY BUILDINGS AND YMCA

At the City of Park Falls Common Council meeting on March 13, 2023, with around 50 citizens in attendance, the Mayor facilitated a comprehensive presentation on a proposal to move the current City Offices back to the Park Falls Public Library (former City Hall). The current Library Building was constructed in 1923 as a City Hall which included City Offices, Library, Fire and Police Department. The City Council voted unanimously to execute that

proposal later in the meeting. The Fire and Police Department will remain in their current location. City Offices will relocate to its former location known as the “old” Mayor’s, City Clerk, and Council Chamber (2nd floor, west side) offices. At the public meeting, the Library Director and some members of the Library Board who were present voiced their support for this proposal, as it will not affect library services. This move would not affect the layout of the 3rd floor of the library. After public input in 2021, community members made it clear that the activities, meetings, and programming held on this floor were very important. These spaces will remain for community use. This proposal will also save the city up to $50,000 a year in operations of the current City Hall and millions of dollars in needed capital improvement. “This action is a win-win for the Park Falls community,” said Mayor Michael Bablick. “While it is a compromise for both entities, it saves millions of taxpayer dollars, avoids a possible referendum, does not reduce service at the library, and ensures that the city can continue investing in its other major projects without an increase in taxes.” Also at this meeting, a proposal submitted to the Council from the YMCA of the Northwoods was discussed regarding the sale of the current City Hall property, minus the Fire and Police Department. The Council also approved this proposal after public Q & A, as it seemed evident that a majority of those present preferred that the city sell the property to an entity like the YMCA if a decision to move was approved. The YMCA had requested consideration of this proposal as the site provides more visibility, less site prep work, and the $5.675 million grant (received last year) from the State of Wisconsin would be enough to rehab the facility with add ons. The sale of the property is contingent upon final approval by the YMCA board. “This site makes it possible for us to include extra amenities that may not have been included if we started with a blank slate,” said Allie Plessner, Co-Chair for the YMCA Northwoods - Park Falls. Lastly, the “Old Abe'' monument located on City Hall property will be moved and rededicated into the City’s new downtown center. This will allow the symbol of the city and memorial to be honored and rededicated which is more interactive with the public, making it a cornerstone of the downtown. A local veterans group has indicated this is

their preferred location. “City offices will be relocated into its former space before the next heating season starts, the YMCA of the Northwoods will completely rehabilitate the current City Hall and add on additional amenities, and complete their project by December 31, 2024,” said Mayor Michael Bablick. “I believe this decision provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people in the community. I would especially like to thank our Library Director and the majority of the Library Board for their feedback and support.”

Original source can be found here.