Council welcomes back Bremmer, reviews Fort Fun Park evaluation
Fort Fun Park is in need of updates to its structures and the grounds, according to an evaluation survey done in the spring of 2023. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
The former 1st District Alderman fills at-large vacancy
By Steve Van Kooten
The vacant seat on the Prairie du Chien Common Council didn’t sit empty for very long. Two weeks after Pam Kiesau resigned from her position as one of the council’s at-large alderpersons, the council considered three candidates for the spot at the August 20 council meeting.
In attendance were Andy Ringgold, Kayla Ingham, Mark Bowar, Bob Granzow, Vicki Waller, Nick Crary and Jaaren Riebe. Also in attendance were Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Mike Wallace, Mayor David Hemmer, City Administrator Chad Abram and City Planner Nate Gilberts.
Three men vied to succeed Kiesau: Kevin Achenbach, who works at 3M; Dan Gillitzer, a firefighter for the city; and Nate Bremmer, an employee with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.
Bremmer, who previously represented the first district as an alderman, told the council, “After I got off the council, I realized how much I’ve missed being a part of it the last six years.”
The council turned in six votes (Bowar was not present during this portion of the meeting), with Bremmer receiving three votes, Gillitzer receiving two and Achenbach receiving one.
Bremmer took his new seat — about 20 feet away from his previous one — immediately following the vote.
Fort Fun Park
Wallace, representing the city’s Parks Board, requested the council’s approval to further explore repair and remodeling options for the Fort Fun Park, which is 26 years old.
Wallace said the push to remodel the park started in spring 2023, several months before he succeeded Mike Ulrich as the city’s parks and recreation director. On April 27, 2023, Marc Leathers of Playgrounds by Leathers submitted a report that assessed the park’s needs.
“There were some needs that needed to be fixed right away, and it gave us an overall view of what the cost would to redo Fort Fun from where it is right now,” said Wallace.
The estimated cost for the repairs and remodel is approximately $350,000, according to Wallace.
The 55-page report aggregated corrective actions for the park in several areas, including the main support posts, handrails, framing and fencing. The report also detailed heavy sun damage and poor condition on some of the slides at the park. Several swings and tire tubes were also in need of repair or replacement.
The Parks Board met with the company that originally built Fort Fun to look at ideas for the park. Wallace suggested the park could be updated into an all-inclusive recreation area.
The approval would not commit the city to any financial expenditure. Wallace said the process would look at different options and “set up some committees and look into possibly doing some fundraising.”
Abram said an approval would effectively give Wallace and the Parks Board the council’s “thumbs up” to keep exploring an update.
The council approved Wallace’s request to seek more information on a remodel of the park.
Blackhawk Junction
The council also approved Gilberts’ request for the city to proceed to phase two of the Blackhawk Junction Mall demolition.
Phase one of the project, paid for by the Idle Sites Grant, involved Robinson Brothers Environmental completing “asbestos abatement, building removal and leveling off of the area.” Phase two will include asbestos removal and demolition of the northern portion of the mall building.
“This is an expansion of phase one, only this time it is through the Neighborhood Investment Grant since that is what is covering the commercial side of the project,” said Gilberts.
Gilberts recommended the council approve a bid from Robinson Brothers because of their familiarity with the site and “very competitive” offer.
Abram said Royal Bank expects to be out of the mall building by September 15.
“That will give time for the city to get in there and get any articles that we want out of there,” said Gilberts. “There are some rooftop units we might be able to use and some other items.”
The council approved Robinson Brothers to conduct phase two of the Blackhawk Junction Mall demolition, which Gilberts said should commence around September 15.
Haydn Street
The council approved a resolution for the sale of approximately $775,000 in anticipatory notes for the Haydn Street extension project.
According to Abram, borrowing from tax incremental district 8 will fund the Haydn Street extension, which will include 600 feet of added road construction and an expansion of utilities.
A public information meeting about the project is set for August 29 at City Hall.
Other business
• The Public Safety Center committee met on Thursday, Aug. 22, to work on the bid schedule for the safety center. SEH is working on the design for the building, and renderings are expected to be publicly displayed in the near future. An exact date has not been set.
• The public information meeting for the Prairie Cottages, an income-based housing option to be built next to Blackhawk Avenue and across the street from the Blackhawk Junction Mall area, has been moved to September without a designated date or time.
• A survey for the city’s upcoming comprehensive plan is available on the city’s website. Surveys will be used to inform the 20-year plan for the city. For further information, visit cityofpdc.com. Surveys are due by Sept. 21.
