APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Appleton’s common council has decided to reconsider purchasing land for the proposed downtown expo center.
On Wednesday night, council members approved moving the $28 million project forward again, however there is still a long road ahead.
During the meeting about 15 people spoke up in favor of the plan.
“It’s not just about building an expo center,” Pam Seidl of the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau said, according to FOX 11. “It’s about building a vibrant community and moving toward a vision of attracting that creative class that we all love to talk about.”
Earlier this month, council members voted 8-6 against buying an Outagamie County-owned parking lot for approximately $2 million. The lot is right behind the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel.
Alderperson Patti Coenen asked to reconsider the issue, saying unanswered questions need to be addressed. A majority of her peers agreed, but 3 council members voted against taking another look at the issue.
“There is a lot of reasons this project could not turn out well and if it does then the brunt, the challenge or managing this project day in and day out is going to fall on the taxpayers,” Alderman Kyle Lobner said.
The Community and Economic Development Committee will now study the possible land purchase before another vote might take place. The committee meets next Monday at 5 p.m.
Most of the project cost would be covered from an increase in hotel room taxes in the area.
