Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority staff provided updates on several city‑led and partner housing projects, describing new lots, planned construction, funding sources and next steps for multiple infill efforts across the city.

Staff updated the authority on the former Washington School site, saying the building is being demolished and the site will be divided into 18 lots. Habitat for Humanity will construct homes on nine of those lots in a multiyear phase of roughly two to three homes per year, staff said; the city plans to construct the other nine homes through a master builder process. The RDA presentation said the city will install utilities and stormwater management on the site this spring.

City staff said the council wants the city‑built homes’ income eligibility to reflect the local median household income (the presentation cited a local median of about $62,000) and to consider household size when determining eligibility. Staff estimated construction costs after outreach to builders and the Winnebago Home Builders Association and said they are using $200 per square foot as a planning figure, which in staff’s estimate equates to roughly $260,000 for a newly built home under the program. The city will require certain features, such as detached garages and basement egress windows to support future expansion, while allowing some personalized interior finishes for buyers.

Staff also reported that a developer, Vianola Properties, completed a house on Jefferson Street and is scheduled to start construction on a West Ninth Avenue site, and that Gallery Homes completed 1014 Wisconsin Street (including an accessory dwelling unit) and plans to start construction on 1122 High Street. The RDA will return an option on 413 Scott Ave to the lot database for future availability.

On Jackson Street (south of Snell Road and north of Logan Drive), staff said the authority has acquired additional property and subdivided parcels to create 31 buildable lots; the city will use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install mains and stormwater management to prepare the site for infill homes and will issue a master builder RFP for construction.

Other updates included the Boatworks site, which staff said was sold to local purchasers Chet Wiesenberg and Tim Heckt for $1; foundations are in place and above‑ground work is underway on the east parcel. Staff described a planned street and pedestrian safety project at the Sawyer/Oshkosh Avenue intersection (not a roundabout), acquisition work tied to that design and improvements intended to enhance Rainbow Park and trail crossings. Staff also noted activity at 913–920 South Main Street (tax credit rehab and new apartment construction) and earlier‑mentioned projects in the central city.

Why it matters: The RDA’s work to ready infill lots, partner with Habitat for Humanity, and use CDBG funding to install infrastructure are intended to increase for‑sale and rental housing supply and lower barriers for local builders to deliver new homes.

Process details and next steps

• Washington School lots: Demolition is underway; utilities and stormwater work are scheduled for spring. Habitat will build 2–3 houses per year on nine lots; the city will proceed with its nine homes via a master builder agreement and will manage buyer eligibility and affordability checks.

• Cost assumptions and buyer eligibility: Staff used local permit data and builder outreach to estimate about $200 per square foot and a target sales price near $260,000 for the city‑built homes. City staff said it will perform eligibility screening similar to existing housing loan programs and will require specific design elements (detached garage, egress window) while allowing limited finish selections.

• Jackson Street infill: The city purchased additional parcels, created 31 lots, preserved parkland and stormwater capacity, and will deploy CDBG funds to install mains and stormwater management ahead of a master builder RFP.

• Downtown projects and other activity: Boatworks foundations are in place with above‑ground work starting on the east parcel. Staff reported ongoing acquisition work and design for the Sawyer/Oshkosh Ave intersection to improve pedestrian safety and trail connections; the bait shop near the launch will not be disturbed per staff. Staff also noted ongoing private rehabilitation and development activity at several downtown addresses.

What RDA members asked and staff response

Members asked whether Habitat would use the city’s design book; staff said Habitat has model home plans but staff will work with Habitat on design features to blend new homes into the neighborhood and that ADUs (accessory dwelling units) are included in the design book as an option. Members asked about pricing and buildability details; staff said those cost and lot‑design decisions will be specified in the master builder RFP and that the city will manage buyer selection and affordability checks.

Next steps: Staff said it will issue a master builder RFP for the city‑built lots, continue utility and stormwater installation on Washington School and Jackson Street sites, and proceed with property acquisitions and intersection design work described in the presentation.