Adam RollinsThe city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is set to adopt its proposed $266 million five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on June 24. The city council will hold two public discussions prior to the CIP’s adoption.
The plan is guided by the city’s long-range strategy, providing a series of criteria needed to ensure strategic goals and objectives are met. To be included in the CIP, all projects must:
- Support economic prosperity for all with diverse economic development and inclusive housing options.
- Offer safe, functional and accessible infrastructure and services that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
- Optimize the city’s organizational potential.
- Support and promote safe, connected neighborhoods.
- Foster an engaged community.
- Create engaging, fun opportunities to enhance the city’s culture.
- Nurture opportunities for learning, growth and development.
The CIP details $48.1 million in capital projects for 2026, prioritizing land, buildings and equipment, as well as water, sewer, stormwater and transportation initiatives.
More than $11.9 million of the 2026 CIP budget would be allocated to buy land, rehabilitate buildings and procure equipment for the city. Notably, the city will build a replacement regional public safety training facility, providing the needed space to effectively train and accommodate personnel. The building will include spaces for classroom instruction, simulation-based learning and hands-on skill development. The project vision features a vehicle operations driving track, a backup communication center and long-term evidence storage space.
Water projects, totaling $8.1 million, represent the city’s second priority for the coming year. The CIP includes projects that replace deteriorated and undersized water mains, valves, hydrants and services. The city will also extend water mains to unserved areas. Plans include replacing wells, a lime tower, fiber optic cables, building retaining walls and rehabilitating a reservoir.
The city would invest $7.4 million into various sewer infrastructure projects throughout 2026. Similar to the water infrastructure projects, deteriorated and undersized sanitary sewer mains and manholes will be replaced across the city. Additional work will involve rehabilitating a wastewater treatment plant, expanding the sanitary sewer system and replacing and upgrading lift stations.
Image by Manfred Antranias Zimmer from Pixabay
