More time for feasibility study
By Angie Landsverk
The city of Waupaca’s development agreement with Nino Pedrelli has been amended for a second time.
The common council voted 9-0 on Jan. 7, to extend the agreement.
Ald. Scott Purchatzke was absent.
“The extension is coming from the city,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Mr. Pedrelli has been very gracious in allowing us to extend the date.”
The agreement is for the former St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church property.
Pedrelli, of State Street Realty Advisors in the Twin Cities area, owns it.
The extension gives Marci Reynolds time to complete a feasibility study for her idea of turning the building into an arts center.
She presented that idea to the council in November.
That same month, Pedrelli shared his idea with the city for a multi-use development on the site.
The building is at the corner of State, Badger and Division streets.
In late 2018, the city bought the property for $100,000.
It then negotiated a transfer of the property to Pedrelli for $1 so the property remained taxable in 2019.
Last September, the council voted to give him more time to come up with a plan for the property.
There was to be a preliminary plan by Nov. 15, and council approval by Feb. 1.
Under the latest amendment, a preliminary development plan is to be presented to the council for approval by June 16.
The city then has until Sept. 2, to work with Pedrelli to review and approve the plan.
If a final development plan is not approved by the city before Oct. 1, Pedrelli agrees to pay the city $75,000.
As part of the agreement, Pedrelli acknowledges the city has other proposals it is reviewing during this timeline.
That includes Reynolds’ idea.
City Administrator Aaron Jenson said he talked to both Pedrelli and Reynolds about extending the agreement.
Vision for arts center
Reynolds is the president of the Waupaca Community Arts Board.
Her vision is to turn the building into a place where programs would be offered for both youth and adults, including private music lessons, art classes and a maker space.
The former sanctuary would be renovated into a space for concerts and events.
The amended agreement gives Reynolds time to see if there is financial support for the project.
Jenson said Reynolds hopes to know in about three months whether the idea is feasible at the site.
The estimated cost to renovate the church is $750,000.
Another $450,000 would be needed to equip the center with a kiln, sound system and teaching kitchen, as well as to cover construction contingencies and fund the operation for its first two to three years.
The building has been vacant for more than 16 years, since the parish dedicated its church on Shadow Road in May 2003.
Jenson noted that in a memo to the mayor and council.
“It is important to note that Mr. Pedrelli has been in communication with city staff and is positive about the proposed direction. It is also important to note that staff has communicated with all parties that the city would like to move forward with one plan or another by June of 2020,” he wrote. “This property has been vacant for over 15 years and staff would like to work toward a project that will repurpose the area.”