Downtown Business Owners Encountering Obstacles

Several Downtown Fond du Lac businesses owners expressed their frustration to the City Council this week about the way they have been treated over permits and inspections. Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership President Alan Hathaway, a business owner himself, told the Council he had spoken to City Council President Lee Ann Lorrigan about the issue. He says if there are opportunities to make the process easier, more efficient, more collaborative and more cost effective, they should be considered and implemented. He says developers and property owners have a choice, let’s help them choose Downtown Fond du Lac. Lorrigan says there are two sides to every issue, but processes will be reviewed. She says they will have both sides come together to form a taskforce to review all the City’s policies, procedures, and codes. Craig and Kari Koenigs, owners of the Combined Building, also spoke about the problems they have run into. Kari Koenigs said it seemed like the City was building a lot of obstacles for them.