10/21/2025
Last night, the Council had an opportunity to take a meaningful step toward giving the people of Menomonie a real say in the future of our downtown. Unfortunately, at least for now, that opportunity was given away.
The motion on the table would have allowed the City Staff to collect information (numbers, figures, and facts) about a potential purchase of the three Main Street East lots that were lost in the fire earlier this year. It was not a commitment to buy; it was an opportunity to explore what could be possible. That step could have opened the door for us, as a community, to decide together what goes into the heart of our downtown rather than leaving it entirely to private developers whose first obligation is profit, not public good.
Over the past few months, I’ve consistently heard residents express frustration that they aren’t getting a say in what comes into their town. Rather than taking those concerns seriously, our decision last night signaled that we are disregarding them, making no evident changes to improve how the City listens to and engages with residents. I find that deeply troubling. When people feel that their city government makes major decisions behind closed doors and that they don’t have a seat at the table, that should be taken seriously. Last night was a chance to take a small but meaningful step toward giving Menomonie residents a real voice in shaping what fills that space. Instead, a tied vote left us falling short.
Our downtown needs change. It needs energy, creativity, and a sense of belonging for everyone in the community to enjoy. Personally, I envision a mixed-use development that includes a pocket park, somewhere people can sit, relax, and connect with one another, surrounded by local businesses that reflect the character of Menomonie, not just another bar, smoke shop, or national pizza chain. I want to see a vibrant downtown that welcomes families, students, and visitors alike. I want to give people a reason to come downtown, linger, and take pride in our community.
But the beauty of pursuing this democratically is that it wouldn’t just be my vision. It would be ours. Every resident could share their ideas for what Menomonie’s downtown could look like. Everyone could take part in imagining how we grow together. That’s what this motion could have started, a process driven by people, not profits.
Instead, five members of the Council decided not to take that step. I am deeply frustrated because we have heard very valid criticism from residents lately about how the City operates and communicates. Rather than taking that feedback to heart and making necessary changes, we continue doing things the same way they’ve always been done.
We live in a society where right now profit is coming before people, and last night, we had a chance to flip that script. We could have said, “Let the people choose.” We could have chosen transparency, collaboration, and vision. Instead, we chose to sit back and let private entities decide what fills the center of our city.
Whatever comes to those lots will most likely rely on Tax Increment Financing (TIF), since they sit within a TID district. And if public tax tools are being used to support development, then the public deserves a say in what goes there. That’s only fair. These are our tax dollars at work, and they should work for all of us, not just for private developers or a select few individuals who hold too much influence.
This opportunity would have allowed us to explore ideas, collect facts, and connect with our residents to determine what our downtown could become. Instead, we decided we aren't even interested in finding out more information. That, to me, is the most disappointing part.
Once again, this City has chosen not to engage and, in doing so, continues to lose footing in shaping its own future. We saw it first with the decision to pause the data center project, at a terrible time that now leaves us without leverage or a say if it ever resurfaces, and now again with this vote, where we chose to forfeit our role in determining what becomes of a prime downtown space.
I want to see growth in this town. I want to see new life in our downtown. I want Menomonie to have more than just repetitive businesses. I want us to invest in spaces that bring people together, that support our small businesses, and that reflect the creativity and heart of this community.
The status quo of the City is actively harming us. By allowing leaders to continue behaving as they always have, by turning away from new opportunities, and by prioritizing private power over the power of the people, we are holding ourselves back. We are doing a disservice to the very residents we claim to represent. Look around: what’s been done is clearly not working.
I am tired of seeing our City act as if our hands are tied, when in reality, we are the ones holding the rope. Menomonie deserves better than business as usual. Our residents deserve a voice. And I will continue fighting for a future where all of us get to guide what our city becomes.
Send a message to learn more
