Despite bad news we're optimistic about downtown Wauseon's future

Bad news seems to beget more bad news in a series of events absolutely no one could have predicted for downtown Wauseon. As we all know, crystal balls are very rare, yet we remain optimistic about downtown Wauseon's future.

The events surrounding the southwest corner of Fulton and Elm streets are marred with false hopes and false starts. Shortly after the 2007 fire the state provided a beacon of hope - a $500,000 grant to be administered by the city for anyone who would redevelop the area.

It is important to remember there were no stipulations as to who that person or business would be, as the site's fate is controlled by who owns the property. The city could not pick or chose who it worked with, it was obligated to work with the owner of the property.

Local dairy mega-farm developer William Van Bakel purchased the burned-out lots; announcing his intention to build a hotel/restaurant/retail complex. No one could foresee the recession or its impact on Van Bakel's business. After several dates came and went for construction to start, Van Bakel stepped out of the picture and Charles Bryan (his partner) and Bryan's wife, Jennifer, took over. They downsized the scope of the project and actual construction finally began in earnest three months ago, in early June.

Concurrently, the state fire investigators were completing a 28-month investigation and presented their findings to a county grand jury. On August 18, Bryan was charged with arson.

Thirteen days later the state froze the funds; concerned with potential litigation by insurance companies attempting to recover from the Bryans the claims paid to burned-out business owners, should Charles Bryan be found guilty.

This is a nightmare for everyone involved.

Yet, with foresight and due diligence, the mayor, city attorneys and council wisely wrote and approved a contract filled with safeguards to protect the funds. The contract even includes a clause requiring the Bryans to turn the project over to the city, should construction be halted for more than 30-days.

It's hard picturing it today, but we remain optimistic the project will continue, if not by the Bryans, than by other interested parties waiting in the wings. That construction will help secure the downtown's future.