ELLSWORTH — While there was some disagreement between a pair of the old junior high site development proposals, the Community Development Authority (CDA) ultimately ranked C&E Wurzer’s proposal first, followed by the Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp (WHPC) and, lastly, the proposal from Gerrard Corporation in their recommendation to the village board.

Wurzer’s proposal included two 12-unit buildings, two twin homes and a single-family home. The Wurzer proposal included fewer units than the other two proposals, but some of the CDA members felt its smaller size allowed it to fit better into the existing residential neighborhood.

“My heart looks back to that community and what fits best in terms of size, and I have to say Wurzer,” member Kaydi Sobottka said.

The Wurzer proposal would be privately financed. They proposed $50,000 payments for approximately three years to cover the village’s investments in demolition of the previous site during the last meeting.

“That would get us to the point where the TIF that we are going to request would kick in,” Todd Olin of Land & Resource Consulting said.

The other development that was ranked in the top spot by some of the CDA’s members came from the WHPC. The WHPC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that presented a 50-unit proposal consisting of one apartment building and two townhome buildings. The proposal includes 27 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units. The proposal was for workforce housing, with 12 units at market rate, 28 units at 80% of the county median income and 10 units at 50% of the county median income.

WHPC also offered to pay $300,000 for the village land after originally requesting the land be donated to them.

Being larger than the other proposals, some thought the development would not be a fit for the area.

Arguments for the development included that the WHPC’s workforce housing proposal met the needs expressed in the comprehensive plan and filled more of the need in the village.

“I have about 180 people, and 60 of them can barely live in town because there is no housing,” CDA member and CEO of the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery Paul Bauer said. “I have people commuting from Menomonie because they cannot find housing.”

Member Dale Hines also spoke in favor of WHPC’s development over Wurzer.

The final proposal, from Gerrard Development, did not gain the interest of the CDA primarily because it is a senior housing project. Members of the CDA said senior housing is important, but it does not meet the exact needs expressed in the comprehensive plan as well as the other two projects did.

There were some criticisms over the design of the Wurzer proposal, including its shape having a perceived lack of creativity. The representatives at the meeting said they can return to the village board with an update that could put the concerns to rest.

“I don’t necessarily like the design of the building, it does feel kind of boxy, but I think it does fit in that neighborhood better,” chairperson Laurie Neeley said.

Another point brought up was the small trees from a site Wurzer built and used as an example of what their proposal would look like. The photo members were referencing showed young trees that members of the CDA were not impressed with. Next, the proposal will go to the village board, where they will review the proposal and proceed if they choose to.