West side neighborhood chosen for major street renovation project

City officials are looking to Rhinelander’s west side as they plan the municipality’s next major street/infrastructure project.
On Nov. 24, the common council unanimously approved preliminary engineering work for what could become a $9 million reconstruction project. The panel also approved a $60,000 contract with Town and Country Engineering to begin survey work and preliminary design for the Spruce Street area improvement project, which would encompass multiple residential streets including Spruce, Balsam, Hemlock, Birch, Sanns, and portions of Davenport.
City engineer Mark Barden of Town &Country told the council that the project addresses critical infrastructure needs in a neighborhood where utilities and roads are aging.
“The utilities out here are in very poor condition. We’ve had sewer collapses. We’ve had structures collapse out there, water main breaks, and the roads are in horrible condition as well,” Barden said.
Mayor Kris Hanus emphasized the project’s significance, noting it represents long-overdue attention to the west side of the community.

“I don’t want to put words in Ms. Mikalauski or Mr. Holt’s mouths, but I think it’s about damn time we started doing some project updates on the west side of our town,” Hanus said, referring to the alderpersons who represent that portion of the city. “Pretty much all the streets there are pretty rough. I think no one will question the quality of the street currently on Balsam or Spruce—they have been Band-aided probably for 40 years, and the utilities underneath are in probably the same condition.”
The project follows a similar model to the Messer Street reconstruction project, with the city planning to seek funding through rural development programs and state safe drinking water and clean water funds. Construction isn’t anticipated to begin until 2027, as the lengthy funding application process requires plans to be submitted to the DNR by June 30, 2026.
Hanus noted the project is part of a comprehensive approach to infrastructure improvements, with the city pursuing multiple grant cycles to maximize state and federal funding.
Meanwhile, Barden reported that the Messer Street project remains on schedule for completion by June 26, with final paving and striping work to be completed next spring. After Hanus stressed the need for the work to be finished prior to the Fourth of July holiday, Barden noted the project has liquidated damages of $1,500 per day built into the contract for any delays beyond June 26.
Remote zoning services approved
In one of the more debated items of the evening, the council approved contracts with Safe Built LLC to provide remote zoning administration and residential building inspection services after the city was unable to find qualified local candidates.
City administrator Patrick Reagan explained the decision came after extensive searching for qualified staff proved unsuccessful.
“We put out a posting for a zoning administrator. Found nobody that was really qualified with the education, especially the experience. This is not a job that you can just step into,” Reagan said.
The remote service model drew some initial concerns from council members about accessibility for elderly residents unfamiliar with online systems. Alderman Tom Barnett voiced those concerns directly.
“A large part of our community is the elderly. I have had many run-ins with some constituents that had to go through the permit process and try to get things done and all that, and it confused them greatly,” Barnett said. “I kind of have fear that they’re going to get really confused if they have to go online and do all this permitting.”
Reagan assured the council that residents could still bring paperwork into City Hall, where staff (current zoning director Veronica Tonnancour who is moving to part-time status) would be available three days a week to assist with the process.
Mayor Hanus defended the decision, emphasizing it addresses a critical staffing gap while potentially improving service quality.
“The biggest thing I always struggle with is, no matter who we have in that position, Rhinelander is in a unique spot where we’re big enough where we need it, but we’re too small to have multiple people do the same job,” Hanus said. He noted that when a single staff member goes on vacation or leave, work backlogs become unmanageable.
Reagan also addressed concerns about the transition: “Remember, we came to this conclusion because we can’t find anyone qualified to do it in-house. So this isn’t us trying to eliminate a job. This is us filling a need for a community that we can’t fulfill.”
Dave Hendrix, operations manager for Safe Built, joined the meeting remotely to explain the company’s process, which uses online portals and video technology for inspections and permit reviews.
“Everything is going to be provided digitally. Everything is created in PDF. Everything is stored in our web-based system,” Hendrix said, adding that the company serves over 70 municipalities nationwide and can provide five-day turnaround times on standard permits.
In other business, the council also approved a rate increase at Northwood Golf Club approximately $5 across most categories for the 2026 season, though officials said the municipal course will remain competitively priced compared to area facilities.