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Let's do this!

Eau Claire's April 1 election brings two Confluence Project votes. Join me in pledging to vote! Learn more at VolumeOne.org/vote

LET'S DO THIS
Pledge to vote on April 1!

This is one of the most important elections in recent history.
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Part 4

How should you vote?

... and honestly, we’re a little sick of talking about it. We’ve laid down plenty of ink over the last two months – heck, over the past two years – about what the Confluence Project can mean for our community. But it’s something that may not happen at all. It’s something that – given the outcome of two referendums April 1 – could die a sudden death because the community failed to support it.

Why have we spent all this time talking about the Confluence?

Because our community isn’t done. We’re not done building it, not by a long shot. And soon we’ll have a very important decision to make: We can stop building, or we can move forward.

The project has the potential to transform our economy, our culture, and our downtown in a multitude of positive and long-lasting ways. The Confluence is not a product of wishful thinking or pie-in-the-sky marketing. It’s a serious effort formed by a unique collaboration of partners to meet the needs of our citizens and business community.

Some people say the strongly worded debates of the past few months have caused a division in our community – a rift. That’s certainly one way to look at it. But we see something else. We see widespread support from disparate groups. In the Confluence Project, we see a unique partnership between public and private organizations. We see a new model for collaboration, one that both strengthens and benefits the city, the county, the university, and all of the people and businesses held within. A rift? No, we see a solid group of people working together. We see a way forward.

Volume One grew up here in the Chippewa Valley. In the 12 years since we started (and well before then), we’ve seen legions of people opting for stagnation. We’ve heard choirs of people complain about the Chippewa Valley and everything in it, from its policies to its people. We’ve met nitpickers who’d sooner stay home and grumble than entertain even the faintest vision for this community’s future. We’re not talking about other people. We’re talking about our friends and families. Heck, we’re talking about ourselves, but at a different point in time.

Naysayers will always stand among us. That’s just life.

But we’ve met legions of the other people, too. People who do not fear moving in big, new, sometimes scary directions. People who value and understand the economic and creative momentum the Confluence Project has already inspired. People who aren’t afraid to ask, “What comes next?”

We are excited about the future. We welcome change and collaboration. We’re drawn to the hard work it takes to make this Valley a better, more engaging, more vibrant community. Because really ... what else is there for us to do?

You want to talk about options? Striving to make this place better is the only option we’ll consider. The Confluence Project is sitting there on the table right in front of us. And in a town where big ideas don’t come along as often as they should, we can’t afford apathy.

So on April 1, we’ll be voting “yes” on the county referendum, and “no” on the city referendum. As you make your own decision, please consider why we feel this is the very best option – because in the end, the future of our community is entirely up to you.

What can I do?

So, when's
the vote?

The April 1st election brings two referendums, one from the city and one from the county. It’s critical you understand how to vote, and get you and your friends to the polls.

County Referendum:

Should the County of Eau Claire pledge $3,500,000 to help fund the construction of the ”The Confluence” Community Arts Project located in downtown Eau Claire?

“YES” would support the Confluence Project and send a message to WI state officials that our citizenry wants to help move this community forward.

“NO” would oppose the Confluence Project, likely turn away WI state support, and kill the project.

City Referendum:

Shall a charter ordinance be enacted that would require a binding referendum before $1,000,000 or more in city funds can be expended on any building construction that is planned for dramatic, musical, or artistic performances?

“YES” would lead to a lengthy delay and second referendum on the Confluence Project, thus likely killing the project due to WI state funding timelines. But a ‘yes’ would also cause other unrelated problems and fights in the future for City governing and capital projects.

“NO” would defeat the proposal and allow the $5 million pledge the City Council already made to move ahead, which costs taxpayers nothing since it would be funded by the project’s future property taxes.


The Confluence Project presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to meet the Chippewa Valley’s cultural and economic needs by creating a shared performing arts complex, public plaza, and commercial development with housing in the heart of downtown Eau Claire. Over the next four issues of Volume One, we’ll be examining the Confluence Project piece by piece to provide answers to some of the common questions and highlight the enormous opportunities embodied in this ambitious and community-shaping effort.