By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now! MARSHFIELD, Wis. — Marshfield Common Council members on Jan. 13 discussed how to revive momentum for downtown housing and debated next steps for the city-owned former Weinbrenner shoe factory as the company’s move-out date nears. Public comments urged council to return to prior planning goals that called for expanding downtown housing, including market-rate and owner-occupied options, and to assess what progress has been made since earlier strategies were adopted. Preservation architect Mark Settler of Settler Design Studio told council the former factory is a strong candidate for conversion to apartments, citing features such as high ceilings and large windows. He also cautioned that demolition of parts of a historic property can affect eligibility for historic tax credits. Finance Director Jennifer Selenske updated council on steps aimed at preventing capital-project cost overruns, including improvements in how projects are tracked and plans to implement requisitions and purchase orders designed to flag or stop spending when budgets would be exceeded. City Administrator Steve Barg said two special council meetings scheduled for strategic planning on Jan. 17 and Jan. 31 were canceled due to a lack of quorum. Barg also said the airport terminal building contains asbestos and mold, which could affect whether it can be used for a fire training burn. He said the city still plans to proceed with removing the building. Alderman Tompkins reported the council’s housing committee is focusing on infill home construction on scattered city-owned lots and is working to define “affordable” homeownership as it explores incentives to bring to builders. Human Resources Director Sarah Dresel presented a request to seek proposals for professional recruitment services for the vacant public works director position, along with a budget resolution to set aside up to $50,000 from contingency for recruitment and related expenses. Tompkins criticized the proposed spending during discussion. Barg said Municipal Court Judge John Kruse resigned effective Jan. 9 and that the city clerk prepared a notice seeking qualified applicants for a temporary appointment, with coordination involving the villages participating in the joint court. Council also moved to appoint representatives to review applications and make a recommendation. Council discussion returned to the former Weinbrenner factory on West Third Street, reviewing redevelopment paths that included continued recruitment for a mixed-use project, interim tenancy, community-oriented uses, sale, or demolition and redevelopment. Barg noted Weinbrenner is scheduled to be out of the building by March 31. Council later discussed strategic planning logistics, including meeting format and whether remote participation is workable for breakout-style sessions. The council also entered closed session to discuss negotiations related to city property and public funds and later authorized actions related to an amendment to a development agreement and an extension of a lease for city-owned property.