Rendering of a proposed central park within the Wilden Portfolio Park development in Appleton. (Image courtesy Thrivent)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Phase 1 of Thrivent Financial’s 580-acre development is just one step away from construction.
On Wednesday, the city’s Community Development Committee unanimously recommended Common Council approve an agreement between the city and Thrivent containing details on the multi-phase project. Common Council is expected to vote next Wednesday, July 15.
What will be included on the 580-acre development
The development, located just off I-41 at 4321 N. Ballard Rd., is divided into two phases — The first phase is estimated to bring $211 million of new value. Construction would begin this year, according to city documents.
According to documents between Thrivent and the city of Appleton, features of Phase 1 include:
- 75 single-family homes, estimated between $425,000 and $595,000
- 83 senior multi-family units
- 105 multi-family low-income units
- 289 additional multi-family units
- 76,500-square-foot grocery store
- 120 hotel rooms
- 3 commercial buildings
- 100,000-square-foot office building
- Additional 120,156-square-foot building
“We hope (Appleton residents) are excited, because there’ll be new amenities, new activities once Phase 1 is built out for you to shop and recreate and gather with your friends and family,” said Community Development Director Kara Homan. “For folks who want to live in the community, we know that housing and housing affordability can only be solved by building more housing.”
When will construction on Phase 1 begin?
Infrastructure improvements like a new city road, sidewalks and sewage may begin as early as this September, with construction on buildings likely beginning in late 2027 or early 2028.
Thrivent announced last September it would build a new operations center on the property, downsizing its current office while retaining all 1,400 employees. Its presence in Appleton will remain, this development is merely using the undeveloped land around its office.
City will pay for $25 million in infrastructure improvements, will come from tax revenue raised by new development
The city says it will cover about $25 million ($11 million in direct borrowing and $14 million paid over time) of the infrastructure costs using tax revenue from the new development. It estimates Phase 1 of the development would provide about $57 million in additional tax revenue over the next 20 years.
The $25 million would go toward extending Evergreen Drive and Milestone Drive, improving intersections, improving bicycle and pedestrian accommodations and adding sewage systems. Thrivent will pay for the rest of the infrastructure improvements.
Partnering with Thrivent and contributing to the city-owned infrastructure allows the city to be involved in the planning, but it’s also a point of contention. Appleton Alderperson Sheri Hartzheim — who represents a different section of Appleton’s north side — and resident John VanDerKolk — who lives near the development — both expressed doubts.
“It’s not a question or not that this development should happen. It should,” said VanDerKolk. “But it should happen free of public money or public tax incentives.”
Unsurprisingly, Thrivent supported the use of the TIF district in a statement, saying, “In this case, the TIF (Tax Incremental Financing District) structure is designed with safeguards so that public support is tied to the project delivering real results and new tax value over time. For Thrivent, this reflects our long-standing commitment to Appleton and to the people who live and work here.”
“[The] core infrastructure will allow for missing middle housing to be constructed,” said Homan, referring to housing like duplexes and triplexes or town homes.
What we are envisioning with Thrivent is ultimately when they sell the land, we’re hopeful that in addition to smaller lot single-family and traditional multi-family, we’ll be seeing town homes and other types of housing products that are needed in our community, but we’re not seeing produced as of yet.
The final project, including both Phases 1 and 2, is expected to create about $607 million of new development, generate 7,270 construction jobs and 2,142 permanent jobs.
Agreement includes a provision for a new fire station
The agreement features a transfer of up to 3.5 acres to Appleton for a future city fire station, in exchange for $1.
“[We] found that the corner of Meade [Street] and Evergreen [Drive] was very suitable for a future station,” said Homan. “As we continue to grow, we can make sure that once that fire station is built, we have even better response times for that area than we do today.”
What is the timeline?
- Wednesday, July 15: Common Council decides whether to enter into agreement with Thrivent, accept land for fire station for $1
- September 2026: Infrastructure work begins (roads, sidewalks, sewer, water)
- Late 2027 or Early 2028: Construction on buildings begins
Comments