By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield aldermen are moving ahead with the development of a one-time skating rink which is now used for parking near Beell Stadium.

Following a closed session, the common council voted on May 26 to sell a small triangular piece of property at the corner of 8^th Street and Hemlock Avenue that used to serve as a municipal ice skating rink in the winter.

City Administrator Steve Barg says aldermen decided to enter into a development agreement with S.A. Investments Wisconsin, LLC which allows for the construction of up to three single-family homes, on a parcel of property that equals just over one acre in size.

“And that’ll bring new tax base to the community. It’s good for the city because we’re short of housing,” Barg said. “We’ve talked about this at many meetings – we don’t have enough homes available for people to look at and buy. We see it as a win-win. I’m not sure all the residents in that area necessarily feel that was the best use, but it just can’t remain vacant property sitting there waiting for people to park on it. We feel good about this arrangement, and I think we’re going to look for some activity to begin later this year.”

Barg said the purchase price was $34,000.

The council voted in August 2018 to entertain offers for residential developments on the triangular-shaped parcel across the street from the south end of Beell Stadium and its adjacent practice field. That got the attention of nearby residents, who said valuable parking would be lost for an area that’s already got parking and safety issues. The council backed off on the sale in October of that year, but changed course last October, moving ahead with taking offers for the lot.