The Town of Minocqua has received a substantial cash donation toward the proposed purchase of a large private parking lot in downtown Minocqua, according to town chairman Mark Hartzheim.
The parking lot is currently owned by the Campanile Center for the Arts, which approached the town board to see if it was interested in purchasing it. Saint Patrick Catholic Church once owned the parking lot.
The private donation is being made by the Goltra family, which owns the Gaslight Square Shoppes, Otto’s Beer & Brat Garden and several vacant parcels on the Island including the former Spang’s restaurant property.
“The Town of Minocqua would like to express its sincere appreciation to the Goltra Family for its generous donation of $300,000 that will be used to help the town purchase the property,” said Hartzheim. The donation represents half of the $600,000 purchase price. The town plans to borrow for the remainder, dependent on the town electorate’s approval March 11 at a special town meeting.
Hartzheim said the Goltra family has multi-generational ties here and “a great affection for the Town of Minocqua. The economic vitality of the downtown business district has been a long-term priority for them.” Both of the Goltra children are Min-Aqua Bats alumni.
The Campanile parking lot has more than 50 parking spaces and is used extensively by the public, including when the Min-aqua Bats hold their water-ski shows and during major events such as the Fourth of July and Beef-A--Rama. The town intends to keep the lot available to the public.
The special town meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Community Center. If the purchase is approved, the closing on the sale will occur by the end of March, the town chairman said.
