City of Peshtigo explores Landmark project site reuse concepts

PESHTIGO – Prior to the Peshtigo Common Council meeting on Tuesday, June 3, the city held a Landmark concept review public meeting. This Peshtigo Brownfield Site Reuse project aims to update the former Landmark property located at 310 Oconto Ave.

The city described that the goal of the project is to “[reimagine] the site into a vibrant community asset” while addressing “community health, economic revitalization and environmental restoration.”

The project is being completed through the existing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funds as well as support from the civil engineering company Ayres Associates and advice from the community.

In March, the city held a community input meeting where information regarding the project was presented and attendees were given a chance to voice their opinions.

One of the key takeaways was that the community largely preferred a mixed-use building, offering both retail and residential space.

Specifically, attendees mentioned breweries, cafes and restaurants as options they would like to see and affordable housing.

Additionally, commenters placed an emphasis on preserving the green space and providing a public gathering area that could feature a pavilion, farmers market plaza, splash pad or information center.

Another consideration is adding “aesthetic interest” through color and branding.

With these suggestions in mind, Ayres created two different site reuse concepts.

The first concept is for a one-story commercial building with green space. As a commercial building it would feature 8,000 square feet, which could be split into 5,000 and 3,000 square feet to accommodate two businesses. The building would include a 10-stall parking lot and loading/unloading area.

The mock-up also included a covered entry plaza and bistro seating as well as a public green space with a gazebo and benches
The second concept depicted two-story mixed-use buildings with an “activated streetscape” that could feature a variety of business types.

Split into three sections, this building would offer two sections of first-floor commercial and second-floor residential use for 10,000 and 11,000 total square feet each and a one-floor commercial use space with 1,300 square feet.

Additionally, the design included three stalls for tenant parking, one stall for staff parking, dumpsters, a loading space, bistro seating and a smaller public green space with benches.

Peshtigo is currently exploring regional market demand, infrastructure needs and funding options to assist with the development.

An issue that could impact the project is finding a developer since “the small

population (3,420) can be a challenge for developers seeking a market,” the presentation stated.

Although the city has a smaller population, the project update stated that “from 2022 to 2023 employment in Peshtigo grew by 4.23%” and that “the natural beauty and the ability to work from home can be a potential draw.”

Important market elements like infrastructure and funding will be explored further when a preferred concept will be selected.

Currently, the city can utilize the Urban Development Action Grant Revolving Loan Fund and the Peshtigo Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund to assist with development. Affordable housing funds and state grants may also be used for construction and clearing the site.

In 2023, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and restricted wastes were identified in a pre-demolition inspection. The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment did not include testing, but instead looked at historical documents and regulatory records. It identified potential petroleum-related vapor or groundwater, buried debris, ash, coal, fuel oil and/or damaged ACMs.

Since the city acquired the Landmark property through a tax foreclosure transfer from Marinette county, they are eligible for a Local Government Unit (LGU) exemption. Providing that certain conditions are met, this exempts the city’s environmental liability.

Environmental cleanup and additional testing will still be taking place through a WEDC Site Assessment Grant. This grant will cover $116,500 of the estimated $140,000 in environmental care and asbestos abatement costs. The city will cover the remaining $23,500 as a required match to the grant.

While the majority of the project will begin after a concept is chosen, work has already begun.

Currently, the City of Peshtigo is working with Ayres to begin the bidding process to hire an abatement contractor. The bidding is expected to be completed by the end of July.

Asbestos abatement and environmental testing will be conducted together and are expected to be completed by early fall.

After these steps are completed, the city can begin demolition. The city shared that informal demolition estimates from contractors predict a cost that ranged from $472,000 to $973,000. Additional funds will be sought by the city to aid with this cost.

Ayres will revise the concept drawings and finalize the market study, which will be delivered to the city council in July.