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Neenah approves final phase of Freedom Makers subdivision; city outlines unusual land financing
Summary
Council approved the second addition to the Freedom Makers subdivision, the final phase of a multi-phase development of 26 residential lots. Staff described a city-developer land purchase-and-resale financing approach that shortened the project timeline.
The Neenah Common Council approved the final phase — the second addition to the Freedom Makers subdivision — at Wednesday’s meeting. The Board of Public Works and council approved the development and associated fee agreement by unanimous vote.
City planning staff described the development as the last of six phases and said the phase includes 26 residential lots. Deputy Director Schmidt explained the city had previously purchased the 30-acre site from the developer in 2020 to relieve the developer’s carrying costs and then resold the property in phased parcels at a small premium. Staff said the city paid roughly $800,000 at acquisition and recovered a little more than $1 million through phased resale, covering administrative costs.
Officials said the arrangement helped accelerate housing production: staff noted about 80 housing starts in the neighborhood last year, compared with a typical annual average of about 40. Council members described the project as a successful public-private partnership.
The motion to approve the second addition to Freedom Acres (Freedom Makers) passed 8-0.
