Development News for Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Contract Awarded for Hydro Tank Rehabilitation at City Well #5

A resolution was presented to award a contract to Seven Brothers for blasting and coating the interior of wet well number five, a 10,000-gallon hydro tank, and installing a new 24-inch pressure hatch. This city-owned well and tank provide water storage and pressure for the Walmart distribution center. The facility is approaching 20 years old and requires interior recoating of the wet well portion, as recommended by DNR inspections. Funds for this rehabilitation were budgeted in the 2026 maintenance accounts for water utilities. Two proposals were received, and Seven Brothers, the low bidder, has previously worked for the city, including painting the downtown water tower, and comes recommended by inspection services. The project is considered maintenance and will not interrupt service to Walmart, with tankers on standby if needed.

I3 Broadband Announces Fiber Optic Network Expansion in Beaver Dam

A presentation was given by Peter Danos, director of community affairs for I3 Broadband, announcing a new project in Beaver Dam. I3 Broadband, an Illinois-based company with over 20 years of experience in building high-speed fiber infrastructure, is partnering with T-Mobile, which recently acquired a 50% stake in I3 Broadband. This joint venture will focus on rolling out high-speed fiber infrastructure throughout Wisconsin and other growth areas. I3 Broadband will own and operate the fiber network, while T-Mobile will handle marketing and customer-facing aspects. The project involves installing all underground infrastructure, with service typically provided to every two homes via a small green box. Communication with residents will include multiple touches like mailers and door hangers before construction begins. The service will offer fiber-to-the-home with symmetrical speeds, starting at one gigabit per second and going up to eight gigabits, with T-Mobile offering speeds starting at 300 megabits. Customer service and support will be handled by T-Mobile.

City Approves Land Division for Rotary Club Shed, Addresses Soccer Club Concerns

Resolution 41-2026, approving the land division of city tax parcel number [redacted], was discussed and approved. The item originated from the May plan commission meeting. The Rotary Club is losing its storage shed for Rotary Lights due to development in TID 7 Business Park and requested land from the city for a new shed. The proposed parcel is located north of the new DPW facility on Woodlick Drive. A 2.5-acre vacant lot will be split, with the Rotary Club receiving the eastern 1.25-acre portion, while the western 1.25-acre portion will remain city property. The soccer club, which uses a field adjacent to the parcel, was informed of the potential development and has requested a meeting with the mayor and city administrator.

Beaver Dam Council Approves Bills, Hears Grant Updates, and Enters Closed Session for Fire Station Planning

The council reviewed and approved meeting minutes from May 18th. The city administrator reported on several items: signing up for Leadership Beaver Dam for the fall, the operations and administrative committees reviewing new policies, and a tour of Jim Kers' foundry, noting it will celebrate its 90th anniversary next year. Communications included a letter from Crystal Davidson requesting the city waive interest charges on mandatory lateral water and sewer line replacements due to the short notice and compounded costs with recent electrical upgrades, proposing an interest-free grace period or 0% financing. The council approved bills from May 15th to May 28th totaling $581,913.15. Several ordinances were introduced for first reading, including amendments to municipal code sections related to various committees and responsibilities. A resolution approving a land division for the Rotary Club was passed. Multiple resolutions were approved recognizing grant receipts for the fire department and cadet program. Agreements for loan applications and reimbursements for the Madison Street project were authorized. The meeting concluded with entering into a closed session to discuss property purchases for a future fire station.