By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
SUAMICO – The village board voted 5-1 Monday, Sept. 16, to approve the low bid of $265,089 from Milbach Construction Services to make improvements at Fireman’s Park with a river trail and kayak/canoe launch.
Trustee Michelle Eckert, who objected to the amount of money being spent and the size of the project, cast the lone dissenting vote.
In addition to constructing an ADA accessible kayak/canoe launch, the plans call for an 8-foot-wide boardwalk from Side Street into Fireman’s Park. From there, a 10-foot-wide asphalt path would continue to West Deerfield Avenue.
Village Administrator Alex Kaker said the village has secured $96,366 in grant funding.
The board’s motion authorizes Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) District No. 2 funding beyond the amount received in grants.
“The grant funding sources would be available until next June,” Kaker said. “I think June 30 is the last time that we can use that money. And this would be funded through the TIF, and that TIF closes in 2026.”
Kaker said the village has another year to begin the project and use TIF money for it.
This is because of a clause not allowing new projects to start within five years of the district closing.
“I would think that this project is going to bring more people to the area,” he said. “The question is, ‘Do you want to spend that much money to do so?’ If you don’t spend that money in the TIF District, that balance of money will be distributed back to all the taxing entities.”
Trustee Sky Van Rossom said he favored using around $170,000 in TIF District funds for the project as a means of economic development.
“It’s monies that were earned from the TIF District, going back into developments that will benefit the TIF District,” Van Rossom said.
A memo Kaker provided to the board noted the village’s 2013-17 outdoor recreation and open space plan called for investigating the feasibility of constructing a fishing/canoeing access point along the Suamico River at Fireman’s Park.
The memo further stated Suamico’s 2015 comprehensive plan update recommended the village “develop parkways with trails as linear parks along waterways, especially along the Suamico River.”