The 40-Unit Question: Park Falls Housing Development and Pri

The 40-Unit Question: Park Falls’ Housing Development and Price County’s Workforce Crisis

A proposed 40-unit housing complex in Park Falls could help address the county’s workforce housing shortage. But with construction not slated until 2027 and a history of suspended projects, the question is whether this development will actually get built. And whether it will be enough. Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice. Read more Price County stories from across the web.

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In March 2026, WJFW News reported that a proposed housing complex in Park Falls would add 40 units on 20 acres, with construction scheduled for 2027. The project, located along Tower Road with access to State Highway 13, is the latest attempt to address what Mayor Tara Tervort has called a “long overdue” need for workforce housing in northern Price County.

But this is not the first time

But this is not the first time Park Falls has attempted to solve its housing shortage. Previous projects have been suspended, delayed, or scaled back. The question facing Price County is whether this project will break the pattern. And whether 40 units can make a meaningful dent in a county-wide crisis.

The Housing Numbers

The proposal: 40 housing units on 20 acres along Tower Road
Timeline: Construction slated for 2027 (delayed from earlier 2026 projections)
Location: West side of Park Falls, near State Highway 13
Developer: Not publicly identified in recent reporting
Status: Request for proposals issued November 2025, decision deadline was March 1, 2026

The Context: Price County’s Housing Crisis

Price County’s housing shortage is not unique to Park Falls. It is part of a broader rural Wisconsin crisis that affects employers, workers, and economic development across the region.

The workforce problem: Businesses in Price County struggle to recruit and retain employees because there is insufficient housing for workers. Potential employees cannot find places to live, so they cannot take jobs in the county.

The affordability gap: Existing housing stock is often outdated, inefficient, or priced beyond what entry-level workers can afford. The median home price in Wisconsin has increased significantly in recent years, though it has not doubled as some claims suggest.

The demographic challenge: Price County’s population is aging and declining. Young workers are leaving because they cannot find housing. The housing shortage becomes a self-reinforcing cycle: no housing means no workers, which means less economic activity, which means less incentive to build housing.

The Park Falls History

Park Falls has been trying to address its housing shortage for years. The current Tower Road project follows several previous attempts:

Previous suspended projects: The Price County Review reported in March 2026 that “Park Falls works with another housing developer” after previous projects were suspended.

The 60-unit proposal: WXPR reported in January 2025 that a housing development would bring 60 rental units to Park Falls, with units becoming available in 2026. This is a different, larger proposal that may have been scaled back or delayed.

The RFP process: The City of Park Falls issued a Request for Proposals for the Tower Road site in November 2025, with a decision deadline of March 1, 2026. The fact that the city is still seeking a developer suggests that the original timeline may have slipped.

Mayor Tervort’s Vision

Mayor Tara Tervort has made housing a priority. In her 2026 mayoral update, she emphasized that the city would put together a complete plan. The most recent plan dates back to 2010.

“This update is long overdue and will help guide our community’s growth and development for years to come,” Tervort stated in her message to residents.

The complete plan is critical because it will establish the framework for future development, including housing density, infrastructure requirements, and land use priorities.

The 40-Unit Reality

Forty housing units would be a significant addition to Park Falls, but it is unlikely to solve the county-wide housing crisis. Consider the scale:

Price County population: Approximately 13,000 people
Housing units needed: Estimates vary, but most rural Wisconsin communities need hundreds of additional units to address workforce shortages
Current construction pace: 40 units over multiple years is a slow response to an urgent problem

The Economic Development Connection

The housing shortage is directly tied to economic development. Businesses considering expansion or relocation in Price County consistently cite housing as a barrier.

The Phillips IDC connection: The Phillips Industrial Development Corporation has been working on economic development projects, but without adequate housing, new businesses cannot attract workers.

The workforce pipeline: Technical colleges and training programs can prepare workers for jobs in Price County, but if those workers cannot find housing, they will take jobs elsewhere.

The tourism impact: Even seasonal tourism businesses struggle with housing for seasonal workers, limiting their ability to operate at full capacity.

Questions for Park Falls Officials

1. What is the current status of the Tower Road housing project?
2. Why was the construction timeline pushed from 2026 to 2027?
3. How many housing units does Park Falls actually need to address its workforce shortage?
4. What other housing projects are in the pipeline beyond the 40-unit proposal?
5. How will the new complete plan address housing density and affordability?
6. What incentives is the city offering to attract housing developers?
7. How does Park Falls coordinate with other Price County communities on housing strategy?

The County-Wide Perspective

Park Falls is not the only Price County community facing a housing crisis. Phillips, Prentice, Catawba, and other towns all need housing development. But without a county-wide strategy, individual communities are left to solve the problem piecemeal.

The role of county government: Price County could play a coordinating role in housing development, helping communities share resources, apply for grants, and attract developers.

The complete plan update: Mayor Tervort’s commitment to updating Park Falls’ complete plan is a positive step, but it needs to be part of a broader county effort.

The funding question: Rural housing development often requires public subsidies or incentives to be financially viable. Price County communities need to explore state and federal funding options.

The Bottom Line

The proposed 40-unit housing development in Park Falls is a step in the right direction, but it is unlikely to be enough to solve Price County’s workforce housing crisis. The delayed timeline, scaled-back scope, and history of suspended projects suggest that the county faces significant challenges in addressing its housing needs.

For Price County to attract and retain workers, it needs a complete, county-wide housing strategy that goes beyond individual projects. That strategy should include:

Updated complete plans in all communities
– Coordinated efforts to attract developers
– Exploration of state and federal funding
– Incentives for workforce housing development
– Partnerships with employers to address specific housing needs

The 40 units in Park Falls are a start. But Price County needs hundreds of units across multiple communities to truly address its workforce housing crisis.

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This article is part of an ongoing investigative series by Northwoods Explorer covering Price County governance, economic development, and community issues. Related coverage: The Lionite Mill: A Century of Industry, Public Money, and Ongoing Cleanup, School Funding Death Spiral, Rural Healthcare Crisis.

Sources: WJFW News reporting, WXPR reporting, Price

Sources: WJFW News reporting, WXPR reporting, Price County Review reporting, City of Park Falls RFP documents, Mayor Tara Tervort public statements, Wisconsin Watch housing analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the housing situation in Price County?

Price County faces a housing shortage, particularly for workforce housing. As of 2026, the county’s rental vacancy rate is well below the state average, and new construction has not kept pace with demand from local employers.

What is the proposed Park Falls housing development?

A 40-unit housing development has been proposed in Park Falls to address the workforce housing crisis. The project aims to provide affordable rental units for workers in the healthcare, manufacturing, and forestry sectors.

Why is workforce housing a problem in rural Wisconsin?

Rural Wisconsin communities struggle with workforce housing due to low profit margins for developers, limited financing options, and population decline. Employers report difficulty recruiting workers when adequate housing isn’t available within commuting distance.

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