A plan to redevelop railroad property along Superior Avenue is moving forward, and some members of the city of Tomah’s Long Range Planning Committee are impressed with its progress.

The Canadian Pacific Railway is interested in selling the property, and developing the property has been a priority of the Long Range Planning Committee since it was started in February.

“I thought it was the best meeting we had since (the Long Range Planning Committee) started,” committee member Pete Peterson said. “I am pretty enthused.”

The meeting was attended by representatives of Canadian Pacific Railway and Vandewalle & Associates, a firm from Madison hired by Canadian Pacific to market and research development concepts for the property. Scott Harrington of Vandewalle & Associates presented a scope of work for developing the Canadian Pacific site and redevelopment concepts for the 61-acre property owned by the railway in the center of the city. State Rep. Mark Radcliffe (D-Black River Falls) was also in attendance.

“There are a lot of ideas,” Peterson said. “Things are coming together more quickly than I thought they would.”

Harrington’s presentation included a large scope of work for redeveloping the property. His presentation covered environmental, economic and transportation issues and how the city can work with state and federal governments and the private sector to make any redevelopment plan work.

Many concepts have already been discussed as potential opportunities for the site. Potential themes were presented earlier this year for the property, including a military-themed visitor destination, a medical area, a center for higher education, a cyber zone that would utilize fiber optics present on the property, rail-based tourism and a biomass facility.

The themes were presented as concepts during initial phases of the project. Vandewalle is continuing to refine the concepts.

“Some issues need to be better understood as to how they affect redevelopment potential,” Harrington said. “Things happen in particular places for a reason. There are local drivers.”

Monday’s presentation included development opportunities that coincide with local and regional assets. The location of the railroad station may also dictate other components of development.

“It is important not to get too dug into a layout right now,” David Drach of Canadian Pacific said.

Preliminary site concepts were also presented. Harrington presented two draft drawings featuring potential development opportunities on the property, including residential, commercial, wellness, data technology and space for infrastructure additions and the rail yard.

“I like the concepts as they presented them,” Peterson said. “The thing I liked about it is that this property turns out to be a multi-use property.”

Potential funding sources for redevelopment were also listed during the presentation. Potential exists for federal, state and local program funding, including an infrastructure grant, state tourism funds, local TIF or foundation funding and multiple other possibilities.

“(Harrington) indicated that there are good funding opportunities available,” Peterson said. “The potential for funding is huge.”

City administrator Jim Bialecki said that he eventually wants public input in the form of a referendum before the plan reaches the implementation phase.

“I think this is all wonderful, but as we go forward, I would like the public to be with us and informed,” Bialecki said.