City of Sheboygan blindsides Town of Wilson, farmland purchase inevitable
The city wants to spend $1.5 million to buy farmland and expand southward
TOWN OF WILSON — The City of Sheboygan has blindsided the Town of Wilson and is pushing ahead with their plans to expand the city southward.
With the Town of Wilson focused on blocking the city from purchasing the 74.43-acre Thimmig Farm on Stahl Road, the City of Sheboygan shifted their attention and has been eying another land purchase just feet away from the Town Hall. The city is seeking to spend $1.5 million to purchase 78.06-acres of farmland owned by Clare Gartman west of Moenning Road and Lake Aire Drive.
Gartman’s husband, David, previously sold 195 acres of farmland to the city in 2022 for $3.6 million. That land, located north of Stahl Road and east of Moenning Road, is being developed into the Gartman Subdivision. In the past, Mayor Ryan Sorenson said he hopes to bring low-income housing to the area. According to documents filed with the city, the subdivision could have as many as 11 separate apartment buildings, each with 63-units. David Gartman passed away at the age of 72 in March.
In May, the city had intended to offer just shy of $1.5 million to Linda and Gary Thimmig for the Thimmig Farm. That would have amounted to $20,000 per acre. The transaction was expected to close on or before September 1st. However, the city backed out when the Town of Wilson submitted counter offers which drove up the price to $1.7 million. According to City Administrator Casey Bradley, the city backed out of the deal once they felt it was no longer financially viable.
READ MORE: Town of Wilson property taxes could increase to cover land purchase
The most southern point for the City of Sheboygan is the intersection of Sand Dune Drive and Beach Park Lane, which is in the Kohler-Andrae State Park. If the city is successful in purchasing the Gartman farmland on Moenning Road, it would become the city’s second most southern point. Currently, the intersection of Southpointe Drive and South Business Drive is the most southern point, which is actually just south of the Town Hall.
The Common Council would need to approve the $1.5 million purchase. The town is not expected to submit a counter offer as they are already asking residents for approval to spend $1.79 million to purchase the Thimmig Farm. If approved by the alderpersons, closing is planned no later than December 15th.
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