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Menasha committee forwards downtown building incentive program to council after removing required public presentations
Summary
The Menasha Administration Committee voted 8–0 to forward a draft downtown building incentive grant program to the common council, approving an amendment that makes applicant oral presentations optional unless requested or required for appeals or exceptions. The program uses $150,000 in TIF funds as seed money to attract private investment and focus on older commercial or mixed‑use buildings in historic districts.
Menasha, Wis. — The Menasha Administration Committee on June 1 voted unanimously to forward a draft downtown building incentive grant program to the common council, approving an amendment that removes a mandatory applicant oral‑presentation requirement.
Director Andrew Dane outlined the program in a presentation to the committee, saying it is “intended to really get a lot of these underutilized and vacant buildings back into service” and to provide seed funding to support the long‑term viability of the downtown and its historic districts. Dane said the city has budgeted roughly $150,000 from an existing TIF district for initial funding and that the proposal was modeled on a multi‑year program the city implemented in Waupaca that generated close to a 4‑to‑1 private investment match.
The program, as presented, is scoped to prioritize commercial or mixed‑use buildings of about 50 years or older within the city’s existing historic‑district footprints. Dane told the committee staff had compiled a list estimating the program could affect between 20 and 30 buildings in the targeted areas but said map boundaries (Appendix A) and eligibility criteria could be adjusted with further input from the Landmarks Commission.
Aldermen debated application procedures. Alderman Rand argued an oral‑presentation requirement could add unnecessary friction to applicants and proposed amending the draft to make appearances optional unless requested by the committee, the chair, or staff, or required for an appeal, extension or exception. Rand moved to amend “by striking the words requiring applicants or business representatives to come before the administration committee to orally present the project and inserting language that applicant appearance is optional unless requested by the committee, the chair, or staff, or required for an appeal, extension, or exception.” The amendment was seconded and adopted by an 8–0 roll call vote.
With the amendment adopted, Alderman Eisenach moved to approve the draft program and forward it to the common council; the motion was seconded by Alderman Perkins and carried on an 8–0 vote.
Opponents did not block the measure but some members flagged potential next steps. Alderman Grotty said the program was “well needed” but questioned whether owners who have not invested in properties for a decade or more would be motivated by the seed funding and suggested the city may need additional mechanisms if owners do not act. Director Dane acknowledged those concerns and emphasized the program is intended as seed money to catalyze private investment rather than a sole remedy for long‑neglected properties.
The draft program will go to the Menasha Common Council for consideration with the amendment making applicant presentations optional. The administration committee adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
