Solon Springs could soon have a new commercial building site in its downtown.
Village officials are making plans to tear down the long-abandoned Bednar Mobile station, opening the service station site for new development. Thursday night, the Douglas County Board approved a land transfer that will give the village a chance to redevelop the parcel.
For nearly two years, county officials have worked to remove old fuel tanks and clean up contaminated soil, assisted by the petroleum industry and a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' brownfield grant The cleanup is believed to be largely complete.
Transferring the land doesn't relieve Douglas County of liability, said Supervisor Rich Thompson. But it does give the village another location downtown for new development, an area where space limits have hampered new businesses development and existing business growth.
For example, when owners of Solon Springs Hardware -- a longtime community mainstay -- considered expansion, there was little space available. After their original building burned, the family-owned hardware store was moved closer to U.S. Highway 53, where more space was available.
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The land transfer approved Thursday creates new opportunity for the village's downtown and comes as village officials are looking at ways to improve its appearance. A newly formed committee is starting the planning process to enhance the commercial district along Business 53, the former state highway transferred to the village after the divided State Highway 53 bypassed downtown.
Village officials are thrilled with the new commercial opportunity.
"We'll start marketing it as soon as we find someone to tear it (the building) down," said Pat Cosgrove, village board president.
Shelley Nelson covers Superior/Douglas County issues. Call 394-4411, ext. 134 or e-mail snelson@superiortelegram.com
