Robert Hensel, representing First Place Homes, told the Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority that his firm wants to buy the infill lot at 347 West 7th and build “workforce-type housing” aimed at first-time buyers who cannot afford typical new-construction prices.

Hensel said the project would rely on collaboration with the city and the RDA and named Legacy Homes (represented by Scott Overstrat) as a contractor partner. He said the homes would be designed to limit discretionary amenities and keep construction quality, not “cheapy” finishes: “We don’t intend to build cheapy homes, we intend to build quality homes,” Hensel said.

The developer proposed using income-eligibility screening similar to Habitat for Humanity and suggested deed restrictions or a second-mortgage recapture mechanism so gains from an early resale would return to the RDA to fund future homes. Hensel described the plan as a pilot that could scale to multiple infill lots if successful.

Board members asked technical and policy questions about accessibility, past precedents and how any resale recapture would be structured. One member asked whether the city or RDA already uses the proposed recapture mechanism; staff said not exactly, but noted similar language exists in other local programs and that staff would pull model language from existing Habitat Homes and Washington Avenue agreements.

The RDA did not vote on the offer to purchase 347 W. 7th (Resolution 25-10). Instead, members praised the concept and directed staff to work with the developer to draft stronger contract language that ensures qualified buyers, limits flipping and describes how recovered funds would return to RDA programs. The board indicated it expects to see a revised offer with proposed legal language and quantifiable safeguards before any approval.

What happens next: Economic development staff will continue negotiations with First Place Homes and Legacy Homes, prepare recommended contract language for resale-recapture and eligibility, and return the item to a future RDA agenda for formal consideration.