Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Scott Williams Motorists heading north on state Highway 117 pass the Mud Lake Wildlife Area, but Cecil leaders would like to see some acreage developed for new business.
Cecil leaders are urging Shawano County to sell part of the Mud Lake Wildlife Area for development to bring new business into the village.
It is the second attempt by village leaders in recent years to transform a high-profile entryway to the community that includes the county-owned wildlife area along state Highway 117.
Four years ago, village President Jeff Nolan tried unsuccessfully to lease part of the same site from the county — a move that drew opposition from the state Department of Natural Resources.
Nolan and other village leaders now are asking the county to sell about 15 acres of the wildlife area for redevelopment, and to allow Cecil to annex the property to expand the village’s tax base.
At a meeting of the Shawano County Public Property Committee, village representatives said Thursday the site would be a good location to try attracting new business.
“There’s a lot of potential there,” Nolan told members of the committee.
County officials said they would consider the village’s plan and would approach the DNR to see if the state has any objection.
DNR wildlife biologist Kay Brockman-Mederas said her agency would not support selling a portion of the wildlife area, which she said is an important natural resource that is popular for hunting and fishing.
Brockman-Mederas said Cecil officials cannot implement their plan for the site without the DNR’s approval.
“They may try, but I don’t think they can go anywhere with it,” she said.
The would-be development site is part of the estimated 320-acre Mud Lake Wildlife Area extending east from Highway 117 along the southern border of Cecil. Shawano County acquired the property, starting in the 1960s, using state funds on the condition of preserving the wildlife area.
In 2012, Nolan approached county officials with a request to lease about 10 acres along Highway 117, next to a road sign that welcomes motorists to Cecil. Although at the time Nolan’s intent was described as farming the site, the village president now says he only wanted to clean up the area.
County officials denied the lease request after encountering DNR opposition.
Members of the committee on Thursday voiced support for the village’s new plan to develop businesses on the property.
County Board Chairman Jerry Erdmann said the proposal sounds like good economic development.
“I don’t have a bit of a problem with that,” Erdmann said.
Cecil representatives suggested that the county could offer the estimated 15-acre parcel for sale at auction, and once a buyer or developer steps forward, the village would annex the site with the county’s cooperation. The site is in the town of Washington.
Village leaders said they envision the site attracting a retail business, possibly something similar to the Maplewood Meats food market near Green Bay.
“It would be a fantastic location,” village trustee Ann Kallies said.
Village trustee Cap Wallrich said Cecil is eager for new business, so village officials decided to approach the county about the Mud Lake site on the southern edge of town.
Acknowledging uncertainty about whether the plan is feasible, Wallrich said: “All we’re doing is putting a bug in their ear.”