The Confluence Project’s cruise down the river toward reality encountered a couple of possible sandbars Thursday.

First, a new group calling itself the Confluence Referendum Committee announced it will push for a binding, citywide referendum this spring about the proposed development project, which would involve a performing arts center, student housing, and commercial development on South Barstow Street. The committee – led by Mike Bollinger, an Eau Claire businessman and former school board member who has been skeptical of the Confluence’s financial viability – said in a press release that it has applied for nonprofit status and opened a bank account to raise funds for a referendum drive. To get the measure on the ballot, the committee must collect 3,619 signatures from city residents in a 60-day period. The spring general election will be Tuesday, April 1.

Confluence Project boosters on the City Council say they will continue to work toward approval of the project whether or not the referendum is held. “I’m not willing to sit and wait for the referendum,” City Council President Kerry Kincaid said Friday.

“Whether you are for or against the Confluence Project in its current form, you should be in favor of this referendum,” Bollinger said. “The project requires a substantial commitment of funds over multiple years by the citizenry of Eau Claire. It will also require funding from the State and Eau Claire County. A ‘yes’ vote sends a clear message to those other entities that this is an important project to Eau Claire. A ‘no’ vote also sends a clear message to our city council that the project should take another form. In either case, a binding referendum puts the future of this project squarely in the hands of voters.”

The roughly $80 million Confluence Project, announced last year, is a joint effort by UW-Eau Claire, the Eau Claire Regional Arts Council, and Commonweal Development.

Confluence Project boosters on the City Council say they will continue to work toward approval of the project whether or not the referendum is held. “I’m not willing to sit and wait for the referendum,” City Council President Kerry Kincaid said Friday. The council is expected to discuss its investment in the project – which could total $13.5 million, including $2.6 million for a public plaza – at its Oct. 21 meeting and act on the matter on Oct. 22.

Councilwoman Kathy Mitchell, also a Confluence Project supporter, was skeptical of the need for a referendum. “I think a couple of years ago it would have been a good idea, but now I think it’s strictly a tactic to delay the project,” she said.

Also on Thursday, a city committee further complicated the project by giving landmark status to one of the vacant buildings that would be torn down to make way for the Confluence. The Landmarks Commission voted 5-2 to designate the former Kline’s Department Store, 6 S. Barstow St., as a local landmark. The move was a change of course from last November, when the Landmarks Commission voted that it supported the project despite its impact on historic buildings.

It remains to be seen whether the landmark designation will impact the project. According to a legal opinion issued by City Attorney Stephen Nick, the City Council can overturn the landmark designation. In addition, the building’s owner – Winona, Minn.-based 6 S. Barstow LLC – applied for a demolition permit last month. Either way, the Confluence Project has some obstacles to steer around.