Funds to help renovate downtown Weyauwega building
By Angie Landsverk
The owners of a downtown Weyauwega property want to renovate the building’s street level for commercial use and its upper level into apartments.
The city is submitting an application on behalf of them for grant funds that would help support the redevelopment plan.
When Weyauwega’s common council met on Dec. 21, it voted in favor of allowing City Administrator Jeremy Schroeder to apply for grant funds to renovate the building.
“The city is a conduit for the grant meaning, I have to submit the grant and the city (if awarded) receives the grant funds to reimburse for renovation expenses. There is no cost to the city,” Schroeder told the Waupaca County Post.
Steve and Terri Liebe own the building at 102 E. Main St., and want to renovate it into two commercial storefronts, as well as two, two-bedroom apartments.
The city’s Finance Committee recommended that an application be submitted for grant funds up to $250,000.
These state funds are available under the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Community Development Investment Grant Program.
WEDC administers the funds.
Program supports community development
The program supports urban, small city and rural community redevelopment efforts.
It provides financial incentives for shovel-ready projects with an emphasis on downtown community-driven efforts.
Funded projects are expected to lead to measurable benefits in job opportunities, property values or leveraged investment by local and private partners.
The resolution the council approved is a formality, Schroeder said.
Community Development Investment grants are 1:1 matches between the property owner and state, he explained.
Schroeder became aware of the grant through conversations with Dave Thiel and Jon Bartz.
Thiel is the executive director of the Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation, and Bartz is with the WEDC.
“Dave Thiel, Jon Bartz, myself and Terrie Liebe virtually met to discuss the grant option,” Schroeder said. “This was a new opportunity I was not aware of.”
The Liebes bought the property at 102 E. Main St. a couple months ago.
Schroeder noted the couple owns four other properties in the city.
They purchased, renovated and rented some of those properties and never looked for assistance, he said.
“This is a larger renovation noting the vacancy time,” Schroeder said.
Steve Liebe said both levels of the building have been vacant for a number of years.
When he moved to Weyauwega in the 1980s, he remembers a hardware store being there.
“Then it was the Party Shoppe, a liquor store,” Steve said.
Steve and Terrie had rentals in both Weyauwega and Waupaca at one time.
He said they got out of that business.
Liebe Auction Services moved into its space on Pine Street in Weyauwega around 2004.
Steve, who grew up north of Iola, was 17 when he went to auction school.
The other buildings the Liebes own in Weyauwega include where Blessings and Friends, Glory Dayz Boutique and Modern Barbers are located.
Steve said a current downtown business is interested in moving into the larger space he plans to create at 102 E. Main St.
“The idea now is two lowers and two uppers,” he said.
Steve said they had not intended to buy the property.
“We were happy on our side of the street,” he said.
The other properties they own are on the other side of East Main Street.
“I’m loyal to Weyauwega. We’re going to stay in Weyauwega,” Steve said. “We happened to be at the right place at the right time.”
The timeline for their planned improvements depends on funding.
“Grant funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis,” Schroeder said.
Steve said he wants the building’s facade to look more like it originally did and to also match one of the neighboring properties.
“I’m enthusiastic about keeping stuff original,” he said. “But you have to be realistic about what you can and cannot do.”
Several new businesses have opened downtown within the last year, including two this year.
Investing in the community
During this month’s council meeting, Mayor Jack Spierings said there may also be plans for another downtown property, with a current business in the city talking about possible product expansion.
“It is exciting. People are investing in the community and glad to be here,” Schroeder said. “The community has been very supportive of the local businesses, and some business owners feel that people might be returning to supporting local businesses versus big box stores.”
He also said Weyauwega will soon be part of the Connect Communities program.
That WEDC program helps provide resources and opportunities to market Main streets and local businesses, Schroeder said.