Sharon Roznik|Fond du Lac Reporter
FOND DU LAC - The city of Fond du Lac will move forward with obtaining bids for a$1.5 million renovation of the pavilion at Lakeside Park.
After listening to opinions from both sides Wednesdayon a plan to allow commercial development at the park, Fond du Lac City Council did not vote on a resolution that calledfor postponing the pavilion remodel until a feasibility study of theentire alternative master plan for Lakeside Park was completed.
The meeting entertained numerous comments from both proponents and opponentsof an alteredLakeside Park master plan, whichadds a multipurpose building to the lighthouse peninsula.
The resolution was about the pavilion, only, and Council Member Kay Miller made a motion in support of the resolution, but it died for lack of a second motion.
The recommendation to delay the project came from the Advisory Park Board, after hearingfrom numerous citizens opposed to making changes near the lighthouse. Many residents, in Facebook groups, like "Citizens to Preserve Lakeside Park" and "Stop Lakeside Park from being Privatized" have circulatedpetitions and are calling for a referendum that would bring the matter to a public vote. The park board backs the idea of a referendum.
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Prior to the meeting, the group Friends of Lakeside Parkrallied at Veterans Park and sent amessage tocouncil members and city manager Joe Moore that containeda petition with 4,000 signaturesasking that the lighthouse peninsula remain untouched.
Remodel of the pavilion is now set to begin this fall and will addpublic outdoor spaces and increasethe size of the current building.
Previously planned pavilion upgrades weredownsized in February from $3.5 million aftermembers of the business community, private individuals and organizations pledgedtopay about half the costs of redevelopment at the park, which is estimated to run anywhere from $8 million to $10 million.
Organized under the name Lakeside Forward, the group ispushing forward the addition of a buildingthat would housea privately owned and run bistro-style restaurant, meeting rooms and a cultural museum, placed near the lighthouse.They also want an amphitheater added to the park's Oven Island.
The group'sinvolvement in the park's redevelopment, including the $5 million donation, is contingent on the building becoming a reality. Supporting its endeavor arecity fixtures like Thelma Center for the Arts, Envision Greater Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Festivals, Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership, Fond du Lac YMCA and Boys and Girls Club, as well as St. Mary's Springs Academy, Marian University and Moraine Park Technical College.
Those who oppose the building say the park's appeal is in keeping green space and the short loop visitors can drive that takes them past the lake and the landmark lighthouse.
Following an hour of speakers, stacks of other opinions sent by letter or email were read into the council record.
Council President Brian Kolstad said the numberof comments made clear that “we all share a love of Lakeside Park and we can count ourselves fortunate there is this much passion for Lakeside Park.”
Fond du Lac resident Christine Brennan said she opposed spending money on renovations to a pavilion during a pandemic. Shecalled out council member Ben Giles for what she believed could be a conflict of interest for his personal involvement with the business owners.
Giles has been a vocal supporter of the newly proposed additions to the park and has been an active participant in discussions on social media.
Businessman Joe Zackagreed it was bad timing to spend money for park enhancements in an economic downturn.
Others in support of the resolution to postpone the build spoke of their desire to preserve the park as is, and questioned the motives of donors who would withdraw money if their plan wasn’t fulfilled.
“If the donation comes with strings attached, if this is true, their intentions are not sincere,” said resident Amy Schingen.
John Papenheim, who made yard signs seen throughout the community that read“Save the Lighthouse Peninsula,” said if the council didn’t approve an advisory referendum for vote during the November election, those in opposition would force a binding referendum in April.
Speaking with equal passion were supporters of the proposed new additions to the park. They spoke of theneed to revitalize the community and favored a vision for Lakeside Park that looks to the future.
"We raised three daughters here and I have never seen a city more paralyzed by fear of change,” said Lisa McArthur.“I am a boater and we look for areas (on the lake) that have a lot to offer. From the water, the city of Fond du Lac is not inviting.”
Lifelong Fond du Lac resident Mike Shannon shared how the parkhasn’t changed since he was a kid. He said the ambiance of a restaurant overlooking the lake would “certainly be a plus.”
Fond du Lac DowntownPartnership Executive Director Amy Hansen said the additions proposed byLakeside Forward would enhance the city’s downtown district and drive tourism. Moraine Park Technical College President Bonnie Baerwald spoke of the school’s strategic plan and data that points to Fond du Lac County as an aging county.
"New strategies need to be implemented to attract and retain working age adults to Fond du Lac," Baerwald said.
Public Works Director Jordan Skiff told council members the park use debate has intensified over the past few months, and said there are“good people on both sides of the debate.” The sticking point, he noted, is the location of the multipurpose building near the lighthouse.
Moore said that so far, expenditures to develop a park plan have cost taxpayers $24,400 for the 2016/17 master plan, $65,950 for partial design of the pavilion (stopped prior to completion), and $36,500 for the feasibility study.
Pavilion renovation designs will total$91,270, but Excel Engineering donatedin-kind services valued at $50,000so the city will pay $41,270, Moore said.
Kolstad said other parts of the master plan have not been approved and there will be plenty of opportunity for the community to weigh in moving forward.
“This is not a guarantee anything else will go through,” Kolstad said.
Contact Sharon Roznik at 920-907-7936 or sroznik@gannett.com. Follow her on Facebook atfacebook.com/reporterroz/
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