Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.10.25 Newsletter : TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager DATE: October 10, 2025 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. COUNCIL WILL SEEK APPLICATIONS FOR VACANT SEAT: Next week, the Oshkosh Common Council will open the process to fill a vacant seat on the Council. There is now a seat open due to the resignation of Council Member Kris Larson. “I would like to thank Mr. Larson for his dedicated service to the City of Oshkosh,” said Mayor Matt Mugerauer. “We are, without a doubt, better off because of his service. While he will be missed on Council, I’m confident that Kris will continue to strongly advocate for ways to make Oshkosh a better place to live, work, play, and invest.” In accordance with Wisconsin State Statutes, in the event of a vacancy on the Council, applications are solicited from residents interested in filling the vacant position. Applicants will have 30 days to submit their applications, at which point the Common Council will review the application materials. Applicants will be asked to make a five-minute presentation at the Tuesday, November 25, 2025, meeting of the Oshkosh Common Council, and Council will vote and make an appointment at the meeting that night. More information about the position and the process will be available on the City’s website beginning next week. For questions regarding this process, please contact the Oshkosh City Manager’s office at citymgr@oshkoshwi.gov or (920) 236-5002. 2. MAJOR OPPORTUNITY: CITY CONSIDERS MOVING FORWARD WITH DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN: The City of Oshkosh has a unique opportunity to acquire the property commonly known as the City Center, a site already fostering a variety of successful businesses that contribute to the area's vitality. This opportunity provides the ability to invest in our community's future and align the area with the Downtown Redevelopment Plan to further enhance its status as a vibrant destination. The October 14, 2025 Council agenda will include the following item for closed session: “potential redevelopment and/or acquisition of property located at 101 Commerce Street and 201 Pearl Avenue in the City of Oshkosh, commonly known as City Center.” Should the Council give direction to explore this opportunity further, the item will appear on future agendas for public input, discussion and consideration. This location is considered a catalyst site in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan, located on the City’s Planning Services page. If the Council eventually decides to move forward with the acquisition of the property, it will be the first step for future redevelopment. This property, with its prime riverfront location, holds even greater potential for transformative growth. Through the initial acquisition of this site, the City of Oshkosh — on behalf of residents — will have a stronger influence on its future and strategically guide Oshkosh’s continued trajectory as a premier destination. This potential purchase is a crucial investment into Oshkosh’s future because it is expected to create a more vibrant destination for both residents and visitors. Creative deliberation and redevelopment of this riverfront parcel are anticipated to build on downtown Oshkosh’s current position as a major regional draw. Furthermore, revitalizing the location is important for our financial success as a community. By redeveloping this key parcel and others, we can build a dependable tax base for years to come, which can help reduce the property tax burden on homeowners. If you wish to share comments or have questions, please contact my office, citymgr@oshkoshwi.gov or (920) 236-5002. 3. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING MOVED TO MONDAY: Due to the City of Oshkosh Common Council budget workshop next week, the Transportation Committee meeting for October has been moved to Monday, October 13th at 4:00pm in Room 404 of City Hall (215 Church Ave). The agenda for the meeting and related materials can be found on the City’s online document center. 4. ROAD CLOSURE OF INTERSECTION OF WEST SOUTH PARK AVENUE AND NEBRASKA STREET: The City of Oshkosh would like to notify residents that the intersection of West South Park Avenue and Nebraska Street will be closed beginning the week of October 13th due to the Nebraska Street Sanitary Interceptor Sewer Construction Project (Project) happening in that area. Construction is expected to take approximately three weeks, with the intersection planned to be open by October 31st. The work for this Project, being conducted by general contractor Advance Construction, consists of the public construction of sanitary sewer, concrete pavement, and sidewalk on Nebraska Street. If you wish to receive e-mailed construction updates for this Project, Contract 25-02, please visit our Public Works Email Distribution Lists page and follow the instructions at the top of the page. If you have any questions, please contact Construction Management Supervisor Craig Ramthun. 5. GET INVOLVED IN A BOARD OR COMMISSION: If you are interested in serving your community, consider becoming a member of one of the City’s citizen advisory boards, commissions, or committees. There are current openings on the following boards and commissions: Board of Review Board of Zoning Appeals Landmarks Commission Long Range Finance Committee Plan Commission Transportation Committee To learn more about the boards and commissions, or to complete an application to serve, visit our boards and commissions webpage. If you have questions about current openings, the process of appointment, or need more information about a particular board, please contact the City Manager’s Executive Assistant, Kami Zuercher, by email (kzuercher@oshkoshwi.gov) or call 920-236-5002.