Fighting for history ... or renter dollars?

Mike Paulus |

Last night, Eau Claire’s city council heard from the public about proposed changes to laws governing the Water Street Commercial District – changes that would allow the construction of four-story buildings. Speaking against the proposal (looking to keep ordinances at the current three-story limit) were landlords John Mogensen (Investment Realty), Chase Collins (Caron Campus Area Housing), and others. We’ve also heard of opposition from Sharon Moss (General Property Management LLC and the Historic Randall Park Association).

If the city changed its ordinances to allow taller structures, it’d open the door to building things like larger student apartment complexes – and this seems to be at the heart of the debate. Arguments against the change include stress on an already cramped parking situation, and the ruination of the “historical aesthetic” of the street and nearby neighborhood. But ...

A cynical person might leap to the conclusion that property owners opposing the changes – who are mostly landlords – are basically looking to preserve their renter dollars by keeping competition at bay. But for the sake of argument, remember that any kind of property owner might oppose a student apartment complex because they have an annoying tendency to bring down property values. 

As far as the “historicalness” or lackthreof of four-story buildings ... I’m not so sure I care about that. Seriously, in all of Water Street’s history, there’s never been a building over three stories tall? Really? Correct me if I’m wrong.