MONROE — The city is moving forward with plans to develop a new industrial park they hope will lure needed businesses or business expansion.

Created as Tax Increment Financing District 13, the Monroe Finance and Taxation Committee has received two letters of interest in the more than 50-acre industrial site expansion in the year or so since it was acquired by the city, officials said.

The land, known as the “Donny” property around town, was purchased with an eye on future projects. City Administrator Brittney Rindy detailed progress on that effort for the city council during its February 17 regular meeting.

“We’re looking for some direction, or a possible motion from the board,” on the next steps for the project, said Rindy.

One of the two interested developers was given the initial green light to go ahead with early infrastructure design for its proposal, details of which are not yet finalized or public. That includes extensive water and sewer extensions into the heart of the property, just north of County DR near the Monroe Industrial Park.

“It’s just for the design it doesn’t move forward with construction,” she said, assuring the council that all concepts will be reviewed by the relevant committees and full common council.

TIDs are a designated, geographic area created by cities, villages, or towns to stimulate economic development. Municipalities use TIDs to fund infrastructure improvements — including roads, sewers, and parks — by capturing the increased property tax revenue or “increment” generated from new development to pay for project costs. 

A separate study by consulting firm Fehr-Graham — related to the need for a public works facility — helped the city identify the area to target for development, according to Rindy. There is some urgency for the city to act, as the potential developer is seeking to start construction at some point in 2026. “Time can be of the essence,” she said. 

Any proposal would also need approval from the Joint Review Board and other committees before moving forward but the efforts to make a project more “shovel ready” can improve the chances of luring a major development, officials said. “It’s definitely attractive if you have a TID set up and have a plan to attract businesses to come in,” said Ald. Lynne Kleven.

The property is among several vacant parcels in the area, including the proposed site owned by Menard’s but plans for the home improvement retailer have languished for more than a decade. That original site plan called for a 162,000-square-foot retail store, plus 67,000 square feet of unheated covered space at the corner of Wis. 69 and Wis. 81/11.

But Rindy said it was a strategic decision not to connect nearby parcels, as several smaller-scale projects are likely more realistic for Monroe.