Business owners concerned over Shopko housing proposal

STEVENS POINT — During the Nov. 17 Common Council Meeting, downtown business owners spoke out about their concerns on the potential building of an apartment complex on the Shopko lot.
On the meeting agenda, the Common Council was originally scheduled to discuss and possibly act on a development agreement between the City and the building developer, Commonwealth Development Corporation. However, at the beginning of the meeting Mayor Mike Wiza announced the council would not be discussing the possible development agreement that night, and would be scheduling a special meeting to later discuss and possibly take action. This special meeting will occur on Dec. 2 at noon. This rescheduling comes on the heels of mixed opinions over the future fate of the Shopko lot.
During a Nov. 10 Finance Committee meeting opinions ranged from support to opposition, with the committee mostly supportive of the possible mixed income housing unit while community members and downtown business owners expressed concerns over downtown parking and the affordability of the proposed UW-Stevens Point daycare that would be housed in the apartment complex.
Downtown business owners spoke out with similar concerns during the Nov. 17 meeting, citing concerns for parking and the desire to bring in more businesses, rather than housing.
Jerry Fahrner, owner of Executive Place, explained that his office building needs an ample amount of parking spaces. On speaking on his agreement with the city back in 2005, Fahrner said, “As everyone knows you can’t have a building without parking. So, our agreement with the city was to be able to use all of the parking across the street except for 60 spots in front of Shopko.” Fahrner stated two former City employees can attest to his statement regarding the parking agreement.

“Currently, we have 159 people in that building. On Monday at ten o’clock in the morning there were 146 cars in that Shopko parking lot. So, I don’t know where you plan on putting all these people from the apartment and my people. I was promised parking and I’m going to stick to that.” Fahrner said. He later stated he would be willing to sit down with the city and find an agreement. Fahrner expressed he would even be willing to buy a parking lot.
Troy Hojnacki, co-owner of Graffiti’s Sports Pub, echoed Fahrner’s concerns over parking. “I want to reiterate the parking survey that was done on June 4, at 2:45 on a Wednesday, that parking lot had 159 cars. Last Thursday, at 9:00 in the morning, it had 140 cars. These are a lot of a displaced vehicles that need to be considered and looked at.” Hojnacki said. “I believe the daycare would be great for downtown. Not in that spot, not on Main Street. Main Street is for businesses. This is the business district.”
Hojnacki suggested the daycare could be put in North Side Yard, an apartment complex across the street from the Shopko lot that is almost entirely empty for commercial space, except for an office space housing Edward Jones. Hojnacki suggested the lack of businesses renting out in North Side Yard could be due to their limited parking space, and later referenced the daycare could thrive there since parents would only need to pull in for dropping off and picking up their children rather than a traditional business customer who needs to park for prolonged periods of time.
Roslyn Kealiher, owner of the Rose House, repeated similar concerns over parking for her downtown wedding venue. “I own a wedding venue. I have the capacity for 200 people, so when there is a wedding with 150 to 200 people I need some parking.”
Kealiher shared her own experience in attending a fundraising event and having trouble finding parking, which left her wondering if she should even attend due to the lack of parking. Kealiher stated she worries that if people can’t park easily near downtown businesses if they will think similarly and decide not to patronize local restaurants and shops.
“Will they assume everything is busy and just leave? Will us as business owners, who are fully invested into our businesses succeeding, be losing on customers?” Kealiher said. “I don’t know how all in Commonwealth is, but I’m all in with my business downtown. I’m hoping you guys will consider that.”
Bob Butt, owner of Divepoint Scuba & Adventure Center, shared that he spent his time over the week walking around downtown and sharing his concerns with other business owners and customers. He stated most of the individuals he talked to did not know of the city’s plans for the apartment complex.
“This isn’t a bad project, this a bad location. This is the central business district. This is for business, not for residents.” Butt said.
Ashley Megal, owner of AshTree Arts, suggested alternative ideas to the housing unit such as spots to allow residents to connect.
“We need spaces where we connect, right now; it’s something we’re lacking.” Megal said. She explained with the help of fellow business owners in Artisan Alley, she created a list of alternative ideas to the housing unit. “Obviously, I’m biased, but the arts and music and ways people can connect in the community and make it a brighter, safer place.” Megal also suggested an indoor playground for children that can be well utilized during the winter months, citing a similar indoor playground that recently opened in Green Bay.
“Parking is an issue for sure.” Megal said, “This is our livelihood and this is where we make our money.” Megal reminisced on being in downtown Stevens Point in the 80s, saying, “it was the place to be” and expressed hope that with more businesses it could get back to that state. Something she said would require lots of parking.
No action was taken on the potential developer agreement during this meeting. A special meeting on Dec. 2 at noon will further discuss and possibly take action on a developer agreement with Commonwealth Development Corporation.