Downtown Oshkosh Reaches Growing Concern

"It's like an ugly duckling story that has come true -- turning these eyesore, contaminated, useless, dirty pieces of property into tax-producing, job producing, economically-vital lands," said State Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, referring to the revitalization efforts of downtown Oshkosh the past five years.

On April 5, 2005, voters will be going to polls to elect candidates for Oshkosh Common Council. One of the major issues candidates’ debate on is city-supported downtown redevelopment projects in Oshkosh. The candidates differ on how the city should utilize the downtown area through restoration efforts and future goals.

Oshkosh Common Council candidate, Brian Bain, is very optimistic about downtown revitalization and thinks "we can’t afford not to do something with the downtown.” Bain, who serves on the Oshkosh’s Community Development Committee, views the downtown area as a great way to build up the city’s tax base. “ I think the downtown area needs a grocery store for local residents along with affordable housing,” said Bain.

According to Oshkosh Area Community Foundation Executive Director Eileen Connolly-Keesler, the foundation gave $25,000 to LDR International Inc. to develop the Downtown Action Plan. LDR International Inc. has spent more than $200,000 in efforts to restore the downtown area.

Craig Watson, consultant for LDR International, Inc., wants to remind antsy citizens that progress is being made in the downtown area. The Opera House, renovations in the newly named Oshkosh City Center and the future plans of a riverwalk, eventually connecting the eastern fringe of downtown with the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, are examples to be patient.

Oshkosh Common Council candidate, Shirley Mattox, is especially upbeat about the idea of a riverwalk. “It will be a great thing that everybody in Oshkosh can enjoy. We have such a beautiful waterfront that other communities can only dream of,” said Mattox.

Maddox views the downtown efforts to date as “booming”and sees it having a “phenomenal future” with utmost potential. “The downtown is place where young entrepreneurs can feel confident starting their business,” said Mattox.

According to The Northwestern, from 1999 through 2004, city and private investment together have plugged $58.1 million into downtown and central city revitalization. The taxpayers’ share is $28.6 million and the private investors’ share is $29.6 million. Roughly $12 million upturn has been the result in the downtown core’s taxable property values from 1999 through 2004, according to city assessors files.

According to Oshkosh Common Council candidate, Meredith Scheuermann, “20 new businesses have started up in the downtown area last year.” “The downtown supports a young community, that relies on low-income and rent-controlled housing,” said Scheuermann. According to Bain, “The city raised $30 million last year and $10 million came from the BID (business improvement district).”

Candidates such as Cheryl Hentz and Joe Jungwirth, think the downtown area has potential, but are not ready to “pump tons of money” into a project they feel will survive on its own merits. Hentz openly criticizes past development efforts, such as the Leach Amphitheater. She believes the project was rushed to put together and very poorly planned. “Why have businesses left?” said Hentz. “ Can the downtown area support a business like Walgreens, which it failed to do in the past?”

Jungwirth says, “ The downtown will survive on its own merits.” Jungwirth criticizes the businesses that close at 5:00 p.m. when events like the Gallery Walk and Band Show are hosted at 7:00 p.m. “ How do these shops expect to attract new customers if they close at 5:00 p.m.”

“We need to step back and be less aggressive.” “ I believe there are more important issues facing our city than the downtown.” “ This is not a new issue, we have been talking about this for 20 years,” said Jungwirth. Jungwirth would like to see more development on the other side of the bridge, such as more parking spaces for businesses on Oregon Street.