Stori Field Development

Understanding the Stori Field Development and Land Sale

This timeline documents the events, decisions, and public participation surrounding Stori Field's transition from city ownership to private residential development.

Summary

Stori Field was acquired by the City of Richland Center in 2022 at no cost from the Richland School District, which had discontinued its use as an athletic field in 2001. After developing conceptual plans and attempting to attract development interest, the City finalized a sale to a private developer in November 2025 for $1.00. Under the development agreement, the developer is required to fund and install all necessary infrastructure (streets, stormwater management, and utilities) and construct residential housing units.

Following the sale, residents initiated a referendum process by gathering sufficient petition signatures. The Common Council received the certified petition on December 2, 2025.

timeline of Events

Athletic Field Discontinuation (2001)

• 2001 — The Richland School District discontinued use of Stori Field as an athletic field following the construction of replacement facilities.

City Acquisition and Planning (2022–2023)

• 2022 — The City of Richland Center acquired Stori Field from the School District at no cost.

• Late 2022 — The City hired Vierbicher Engineering to develop conceptual plans for residential development at Stori Field.

• April 2023 — The City hosted two public open houses to share conceptual development plans with the community. Following these meetings, the City solicited developer interest but received no proposals for two years (2023–2025).

Development Agreement and Sale (2025)

• July 2025 — A developer submitted a proposal aligned with the previously completed conceptual plans.

• August 2025 — The City and developer signed a Pre-Development Agreement. The agreement stipulates that the developer will construct eight zero-step duplexes and install all necessary infrastructure (streets, stormwater systems, and utilities) at their own expense. In exchange, the City agreed to convey the land for $1.00.

• September–October 2025 — The Common Council approved the development agreement and passed Ordinance #2023-08, authorizing the land sale.

• November 2025 — The property was formally conveyed to the developer.

Referendum Effort (2025)

• October 8, 2025 — In response to the ordinance, community members initiated the referendum process.

• October–November 2025 — An initial petition was filed but found insufficient. A corrected petition was successfully filed on November 21, 2025.

• December 2, 2025 — The City Clerk certified the petition as containing sufficient valid signatures and presented it to the Common Council. The Council received the petition but took no action at that meeting.