University Falls apartment plan gets go ahead

RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council heard a presentation from Assistance & Resource Center volunteer Tammy Pitzen at the March 22 regular city council meeting. Pitzen shared the non-profit’s story and mission statement in order to bring awareness to the organization’s ability to help get others back on their feet.

ARC Inc. provides shortterm financial assistance to residents in the River Falls and Ellsworth school districts. It provides funds for people’s basic needs – funds that they might not be able to get elsewhere. They fulfill requests such as paying for license plates, vehicle titling, birth certificate replacements, phone minutes, gas cards, uniforms, work boots, vehicle repairs, etc. However, there biggest request by far is assistance with rent and utility payments.

Pastors in River Falls spurred the formation of ARC in 2008. The volume of requests for help churches were receiving was overwhelming and difficult to manage. Instead of going from church to church seeking assistance, families and individuals could contact ARC, a one-stop-shop. In January 2013, the 501(c)(3) expanded its services to Ellsworth.

The organization is run strictly by volunteers. Payments for assistance are made directly to vendors, not to the people seeking help. No appointments or paperwork are necessary, Pitzen said.

In 2018, ARC welcomed Angels on Earth Giving Tree Christmas Program under its umbrella. This past holiday season, the program helped 178 families with 373 children.

Pitzen said she volunteers because the need is great and it’s something she can do to help.

“Are there really that many people facing hardships in my hometown?” Pitzen said. “Yes.”

Whether it’s due to job loss, homelessness, an unexpected illness, a single parent struggling, a veteran in need of help, donations and grants are available.

In January, ARC distributed $21,240 to help 96 households. In February, $18,415 went out to help 89 households. In the first part of March, $9,160 had been awarded.

The organization is always seeking donations and volunteers. ARC staff can be reached 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. For more information, go to arcriverfalls.org or call 715-338-0755. Donations can be mailed to Assistance Resource Center Inc., PO Box 223, River Falls, WI 54022.

University Falls Phase 3

The council unanimously approved a General Development Plan (minus Alderperson Todd Bjerstedt, who was absent) for a 32-unit multi-family apartment building to be located at 131 and 141 W. Cascade Ave.

The building, proposed by Gerrard Corporation, is the third phase in the University Falls Planned Unit Development on the shores of Lake George/Kinnickinnic River near the Winter Street bridge. The building will contain onebedroom, two-bedroom and studio apartments at market rate prices. The location is in walking distance of downtown, UW-River Falls, the retail districts and parks.

Other business

•The council passed a joint resolution to reaffirm the city’s continued commitment, alongside partners River Falls School District, Chippewa Valley Technical College and UWRiver Falls, to sustainability in the city, region and state.

•Alderperson Sean Downing read a statement asking for people to contact their legislators to demand clean water regulations be enforced, to reverse recent “bad and poor-decision making” when it comes to clean water regulation in the state.

•The council approved a letter of agreement with SHE for construction engineering services for the North Utility Loop and design services for the Radio Road watermain extension, which will serve the future Mann Valley Corporate Park.

•The mayor appointed (and council approved) Karyn Wells to replace Joe Wolf as the UWRiver Falls representative on the Bike & Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee.

•After a closed session at the March 8 RF City Council meeting, the council voted to purchase property (roughly 29 acres of which 17 is considered conservation) located at 730 County Road M from Cernohous & Evan Trust for $750,000. This land will eventually be incorporated into Mann Valley Corporate Park.