Shawano acquires several downtown properties

The city of Shawano has completed the acquisition of four properties that have been eyesores to the community for years. Now begins the discussion on what can be done with the properties.

Four buildings that make up most of the 200 block of North Main Street can be renovated and used for future development, even though they have sat empty for years. City Administrator Eddie Sheppard said the buildings have been inspected and at least three need not be demolished for any future downtown businesses to set up shop.

“It’s been interesting, since we acquired them, to be able to get into them,” Sheppard said in a report to the Shawano Common Council on Oct. 13. “They are in salvageable shape. There didn’t seem to be any damage, intentional or otherwise.”

He added that the buildings have been vacant for 18 years, so it was surprising that they were still in good enough shape to be renovated.

There is also a hoop-house designed building at 202 N. Washington St. that the city has acquired, but it has not been inspected yet. It’s still unclear whether renovation or demolition will be required to turn it into a potential business for the downtown area.

One building that will need to be demolished is at 311 E. Green Bay St., east of the Tower Clock Eye Center. Sheppard said the city is already looking at proposals for demolition.

The fourth building is at 210 S. Main St. and has already been torn down so the property can serve as part of the future downtown plaza.

Sheppard said that there has been a lot of interest in the properties since word got out that they were owned by the city as of Oct. 6.

“There are people interested in doing a whole array of things,” Sheppard said. “This is actually the first time that we’ve owned property (for business use).”

Sheppard said the city might have to create a review board to look at proposals. He also wants to sit down with the council and brainstorm some ideas on what Shawano could use in those spaces.

“How are we going to determine the highest and best use of those spaces, looking at reasonable time frames and expectations for rehabilitations?” he said. “We know what our downtown needs, based on our downtown master plan from a few years ago. We know where we’re deficient, and it would be great if we could align some of those areas. One thing that’s obvious is we need more places to eat downtown.”

Alderwoman Sandy Steinke expressed optimism that the city was taking a big step to revitalizing its downtown, which had been wallowing in empty storefronts for some time.

“I’m grateful that we were able to work with the folks that let us buy these up and revive the downtown again,” Steinke said.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com