Shopko housing proposal approved

STEVENS POINT — During a special Common Council meeting on Dec. 2 the council approved a housing and childcare proposal for the Shopko lot in a 6-2 vote.
Over the last month, the mixed-income housing proposal and childcare center has garnered varied opinions from community members. Downtown business owners expressed concern for parking availability with the Shopko lot offering hundreds of parking spots. Other community members and council members expressed support for the project, with comments praising the project and its mixed income housing that could allow for tenants to patronize downtown businesses due to the affordable housing.
Commonwealth Development Corporation, based out of Middleton, presented another revised proposal to the council during the Dec. 2 meeting which included a four-story building with first-floor parking for a total of 76 parking stalls and 6,000 square feet for a proposed UW-Stevens Point-run childcare center. The structure has been moved in this proposal, to the corner of the lot near CenterPoint Drive rather than directly on Main Street.
Mayor Mike Wiza stated the changes in this proposal reflect the community feedback over the last month. “Prior to this the biggest concerns were the location, with a strong sentiment that the Main Street property should be reserved for business. So, we did that. We moved the project to the opposite corner of the property. The other concern many people had was the number of parking spots. Parking downtown—can be challenging. For some, people really feel the need to park right in front of that building they’re going to and if they have to walk a block, well that’s too far,” Wiza said. “This gives the units 1.3 parking spots per unit.”
Following Wiza’s comments, the community spent almost an hour providing public feedback. Comments ranged from support for the affordable housing that was coupled with the “essential service” of childcare, while others expressed continued concerns over parking. Other feedback supported the affordable housing project, however stated not the location it is intended for.

Tyler Sheeran of Commonwealth stated how the project has developed significantly, and may continue to do so. “This demonstrates Commonwealth’s willingness to tailor to community needs. Items such as parking may need to be flushed out at a later date.”
During the council’s discussion, District 8 Alderman Dean Shuda said, “It addresses some needs we just need to do as a city with affordable housing and childcare. But, I do have question if it fits the big scheme of things. It feels like we have a whole bunch of squares we are trying to squeeze into a circle and just hope things come out okay.”
Marc Christianson of District 1 said, “I think the developers have done a really good job taking a lot of the concerns into consideration. I think the plan we have before us to consider is a much stronger plan than we initially saw. I do think it does tick a lot of boxes.”
Ginger Keymer of District 3 said, “I do have concerns over the cost of this, but at the same there is a number of benefits to be had.” She expressed originally leaning to a cheaper proposal, but stated after hearing of parking concerns she leaned towards the proposal that offered the most parking space.
Sam Lang of District 9 said, “It’s not financially sound enough of a project for us as a city.” Lang expressed wanting to see more community support for the project before the city would invest. “There needs to be a plan that can stand on its’ own, this is one of the plans that does not and we do not have a plan in front of us that does yet. As much as I want to see something down there, I don’t believe this is it.”
Concluding the council’s discussion, Wiza said to council members, “This is expensive. It is a burden on the taxpayer. It is a burden on the city. But this body has been trying to get its hands around housing affordability longer than some of you have been on here. To make housing affordability a priority, that comes at a cost. If this cost is too high to fix your affordability goals, so be it. This is what we have. Every affordable project someone is subsidizing.”
The vote passed 6-2, with Lang and Shuda voting no.
According to Commonwealth, construction would start no later than Sept. 1, 2027 and be completed by early 2029.