Richland Center defends timing and $1 sale of Stori Field amid resident petition efforts

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. (WMTV) - After residents raised concerns this week about the sale of part of Stori Field for a new housing development, Richland Center officials are laying out their full reasoning, saying the project has been discussed for years, the $1 sale price covers major infrastructure costs, and a petition calling for a public vote cannot reverse the deal.

The city’s explanation follows WMTV’s Wednesday report , where neighbors said they felt blindsided by the timing and questioned whether the public had enough opportunity to weigh in. Some also criticized the $1 land sale and sudden movement on a project they believed had been dormant.

Mayor Todd Coppernoll said the city has been struggling for years to attract new housing, noting that at one point only three building pe