Image courtesy of Google Maps
The Wall Lake City Council is moving forward with plans to replace the baseball diamond on the west side of town with a new housing development. According to Clerk, Chris Rodman, the city is in the process of selling its final available lot and identified the ballfield and properties just outside of city limits to the east and west as potential sites for a new development. During their meeting last week, city leaders determined the diamond was clearly their best option.
He adds the only substantial infrastructure work that needs to be installed is a one-block section of Melrose Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. Rodman says the two alternate sites would require substantial work, including water, sewer and electrical installation, before new homes could be constructed.
Currently, the only issue is that the ballfield is owned by the East Sac County (ESC) Community School District. ESC does not use it for varsity baseball games, and it has been essentially vacant since they closed the Wall Lake Elementary School. Rodman says there are ongoing discussions between the city and ESC Board of Directors for that property to be sold to Wall Lake. Assuming that transaction proceeds as expected, Rodman says they will move quickly to prepare the development for new home construction.
The Melrose Street project would likely begin in spring of 2022 with the lots ready for new homes by this time next year. Rodman reiterates that is all dependent on if the city is able to purchase the property from the school district. City officials note this development is needed for continued growth in the community. Wall Lake has averaged about one new home per year since 2010, and they note there has been interest from several potential residents wanting to build in the near future.
