MENASHA (NBC 26) – A new residential development is being built on Doty Island.
- Menasha is supporting the project with $300,000, which was approved on Monday.
- Earlier this month, the city council approved a deal to demolish the school and build housing.
- The city estimates that the cost of the houses will be between $425,000 and $450,000.
(Below is a transcript of the entire broadcast report with additional details for the Internet.)
The City of Menasha has closed Nicolet Elementary School in 2022, but the building still stands.
Menasha Mayor Austin Hammond says that will now change.
“It’s obviously a very bittersweet decision for the community, but there have been a lot of really good conversations,” Hammond said.
Earlier this month, the Menasha City Council approved a contract to demolish the school and build new single-family homes in partnership with developer Nicolet Menasha, LLC.
The houses will be built on the former school site and an adjacent parking lot.
Mayor Hammond says this is part of a long-term solution to a current problem.
“The City of Menasha conducted a housing study over the summer. This is part of the initiative to meet our need for affordable housing not only here in the City of Menasha, but across the state,” he said.
Hammond said the city released $300,000 on Monday to support the project. The rest will be funded by property taxes on the homes, which will cost between $425,000 and $450,000 each, according to city documents.
“You know, it’s sad. My children went there,” said Julie Rondahl, who has lived on the same street and at Nicolet Elementary her entire life.
Nevertheless, she sees value in the project.
“I think affordable housing is a plus. I really believe that. I guess the school has met its end. It’s sad to see it go, but in the long run it will probably help people,” Rondahl said.
Mayor Hammond also said that while there are no concrete plans yet, he believes there should be some sort of tribute to recognize the school building’s place in the city’s history.
