Oshkosh RDA approves spotlight designation for former Washington School at 929 Winnebago

The Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority voted to approve a spotlight designation for the property at 929 Winnebago Avenue, the former Washington School, clearing the way for demolition and redevelopment into 19 single-family homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

RDA staff told the board the project is a public–nonprofit partnership: Habitat will construct nine homes and the RDA (working with the city) will construct 10. "We are looking to demolish the school and construct 19 single family homes in a workforce, price point," RDA staff said. Staff said a finding of blight is necessary to access Community Development Block Grant funds administered through HUD for demolition and site preparation.

The recommendation to designate the property as blighted was accompanied by facility reports from the school district and consultant findings that staff said documented issues consistent with statutory blight criteria. When a board member asked how a property that looks "old" but not actively falling apart could meet blight standards, staff cited the statutory criteria and noted vacancy as a common indicator of current or future blight.

Staff said the city and Habitat are purchasing the property from the Oshkosh Area School District for $75,000. RDA staff provided a demolition budget estimate of about $400,000, which they said includes asbestos inspection and removal. No exact final housing sale prices have been set; staff said civil engineering and construction cost estimates are still pending and that the city plans to issue a request for proposals for a master builder to construct the city's homes.

Board members discussed neighborhood outreach and design compatibility. Staff said the city is finishing an infill housing design book to guide home styles so new houses blend with the surrounding neighborhood, and emphasized that converting the parcel from tax-exempt school property to taxable housing would return the land to the tax rolls.

The board took a roll-call vote on item 24-11. Bella Crowley, Scheierman, Hutchinson, Konnick and Muggerauer voted aye and the motion carried. Staff said they will correct the earlier minutes issue raised at the start of the meeting and proceed with the next steps for demolition funding and design work.

The RDA will continue to refine cost estimates and the city will pursue required procurement steps for builders and contractors before demolition and construction begin.