Communities in Wisconsin’s Fox Cities region have dedicated significant resources to maintaining positive momentum in their downtowns.
The Fox River winds from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin’s largest inland lake, through Neenah, Menasha and Appleton. While the river moves effortlessly in the right direction, the downtowns it passes through require strategic initiatives to do the same.
“In a downtown, there is always momentum, and it’s either positive momentum or negative momentum,” says Chris Haese, director of community development and assessment for the City of Neenah. “You’re always working hard to make sure your momentum stays positive.”
Communities in the Fox Cities region have dedicated significant resources to maintaining positive momentum in their downtowns in recent years. These investments in housing, infrastructure and amenities benefit residents and businesses across the region, attracting visitors and new talent.
“All of the major cities in the region are reinvesting in the heart of their communities,” says Kara Homan, director of community and economic development for the City of Appleton. “Others will see that and view this as a place that they want to live.”
Activate Appleton
In 2022, the completion of Appleton’s College North Neighborhood Plan served as a catalyst for more downtown development. A renovated public library and a new building housing the Trout Museum of Art and academic spaces for Lawrence University are just the start.
The new Rise Apartments offers 48 downtown residential units, with a mix of apartments and townhomes. Phase one of Urbane115 combines 56 apartment units with 6,600 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. A second phase is anticipated to break ground in 2024.
Another catalyst is the Fox Commons redevelopment, which reimagines a former shopping mall as a mixed-use space, including student housing and active learning for Lawrence University, health care facilities, and retail and commercial space on the first floor.
“We’re really getting people to work and live downtown 24/7,” Homan says. “We’re creating a place to be that is going to have activity, livelihood and vitality throughout the week.”
Explore Menasha
Menasha is working on public and private investments to revitalize the community’s core, says Sam Schroeder, community development director for the City of Menasha.
The Banta Lofts, built in a former publishing plant, provide 34 apartments and 3,000 square feet of commercial space. Both former office buildings, Discovery Point offers 27 apartments, while Harbor Lofts adds 14 higher-end apartments with 6,000 square feet of commercial space.
The latest mixed-use complex to come onto the market is the Brin development. After a historic building burned down, the city cleared the property to allow for 43 units and 8,000 square feet of commercial space.
Known as “Your Place on the Water,” Menasha is also investing in off-street trail connections. These include the Gilbert Trail, Trestle Trail, Loop the Little Lake trail system and an added Water Street trail connection.
“These developments enhance the economic vitality and livability of the downtown, adding density of storefronts and additional expendable income to support new business growth,” Schroeder says. “Menasha is an underappreciated and positively changing gem that we will continue to grow.”
Celebrate Neenah
After three decades in city planning, Haese has seen many changes. But it wasn’t until the past few years that he saw new multifamily structures rise in downtown Neenah.
Solaris on Main opened in 2022 with 71 apartments. Then, the 201 West project brought 39 units that feature first-floor retail spaces and top-floor penthouses.
Another recent addition to downtown Neenah was The Plaza at Gateway Park. The outdoor ice-skating rink measures the same size as that of Rockefeller Center.
To maintain its positive momentum, the city is exploring what’s next, such as additional biking infrastructure. Since the work is never finished, it’s easy to forget to celebrate what’s been accomplished, Haese says – not just in Neenah but throughout the Fox Cities.
“There have been significant improvements made in all facets of our community, from economic growth to quality of life to environmental [impact],” he says. “All those things are moving in the right direction, and it’s an exciting time.”
By James Figy on August 19, 2024
Livability Magazine
