The goal of this report is to provide the communities within the boundaries of the Wausau Metropolitan Planning Organization (WMPO) a starting point to consider why, where, what, and how residential infill and redevelopment may benefit, be located, look like, and be encouraged in their community. The report briefly addresses the consequences of sprawl development […]
Read More… from Analyzing infill and redevelopment opportunities within the Wausau MPO
The Wausau Metropolitan Area has completed a sidewalk inventory containing information on all the street’s sidewalks or lack thereof. This information was collected using aerial photos that were recently taken in Marathon County, and then this information was transferred to Google Maps. The map is organized and color-coded to communicate if the sidewalk has no […]
Read More… from Evaluating and improving ADA compliance in the Wausau Metro Area
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering students created a preliminary design report for the revised design of the Grand Avenue and Forest Street intersection for Marathon County and the City of Wausau. To prepare an effective preliminary design, the team has reviewed the project scope and constraints outlined in the proposal and identified additional details through discussions […]
A student created a visual of where nitrogen levels are worse within the community so that actions can be taken in the right areas to increase water quality. UniverCity Year Contact Info Gavin Luter Managing Director gavin@cows.org 608-261-1141 […]
Read More… from Mapping Nitrate-N contamination of groundwater in Marathon County
To combat the intense winter weather of Northern Wisconsin, road salt has been usedthroughout Marathon county as a cheap, effective means to melt snow and ice on roads, keepingdrivers safe in potentially treacherous conditions. Recent discovery has revealed that this roadsalt application has potentially significant consequences on local ecosystems near roads. Ourgoal of this project […]
Read More… from Mapping winter road salt use and sensitive areas in Marathon County
In order to be more cost effective and environmentally conscious, Marathon County ishoping to utilize a standard salt usage plan as the road de-icing techniques currently vary in eachof the 11 municipalities in the county. This disconnect is not only ineffective, but also potentiallydangerous to drivers traveling throughout different municipalities that salt heavier or lighter […]
Read More… from Examining best practices for de-icing in Marathon County
With the support of Andrew Lynch, AICP, Transportation Planner at the Wausau Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the UniverCity Alliance, students in the Nelson Institute Community Environmental Scholars Program researched road salt practices in the Wausau Metropolitan Area during Spring Semester 2021. Four University of Wisconsin-Madison students participated in the project through their enrollment in Environmental […]
Read More… from Road Salt Practices Across Wausau Metropolitan Area Municipalities
Marathon County is a county located in central Wisconsin which hosts outdoor recreation activities year-round. Anchored by its largest city, Wausau, the area is known as a gateway to northern Wisconsin. The county hopes to expand its rural biking program in the future, as they currently only offer bike-focused amenities in the Wausau metro area. […]
Read More… from Planning a rural bicycling network and future bike infrastructure in Marathon County
In an effort to gain better insight for outreach strategies, this student team wrote and conducted apublic attitudes survey of Fenwood Creek Watershed farmers and landowners. Their goal was to gain perspectives on broad topics such as local watershed health and conservation efforts. The team’s methodology focused on three areas: communication, research, and survey writing. […]
This student team assessed the County Conservation Plan and Farmland Preservation Plan and held discussions with Marathon County and associates to identify ways they can increase public awareness in Marathon County. They want to influence people to adapt to new sustainable agricultural practices that can enhance soil health. The students focused on finding ways to […]
Read More… from Promoting soil health through public engagement in Marathon County