Tornado damage in Menasha seen from, July 28, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The City of Menasha is hoping to finalize a plan to rebuild its tornado-devastated neighborhoods by this January.
The city hopes to help residents by directing them toward FEMA and non-profit relief funding creating programs that could help them repair or rebuild their homes. The top priority remains housing, according to Mayor Austin Hammond.
“We really want to put a vision forward for the community where they have the confidence that there is a plan to partner alongside them as they’re working through what they want to do with their property for rebuilding,” said Hammond.
The recovery plan centers around five neighborhoods:
- 3rd Street Corridor
- Calder Stadium area
- Doty Island
- Hart Park area
- Jefferson Park area
What complicates the development is most of the property is privately owned, meaning the city can’t merely choose what to develop and how to develop it. The city may look at zoning and permitting changes to save time and money for residents.
“If they want to stay here, want to rebuild here, we want to create programs and partnerships that would allow people to stay in the community and rebuild if that’s their desire,” said Menasha Community Development Director Andrew Dane.
- Learn more at menasha-strong.org
Dane said an example of that could be model building plans, which would expedite the permit process and save on building costs. The city would create several pre-approved building plans, so a resident wouldn’t need to hire an architect or builder to design the structure, and the city would automatically issue a permit. All examples are still hypothetical until January, when it hopes to formally adopt a plan.
The city also is looking at updates to zoning code, which could create opportunities for townhomes or smaller condo or apartment buildings in busy areas, according to Dane and Hammond. However, single-family residential areas are likely to stay that way, as they hope to maintain the character of the old neighborhoods. More housing also typically creates a better business environment.
Menasha is also considering creating a tax incremental financing district, which could spur development through tax incentives.
City leaders plan to hold its next open house on Tuesday, December 15, to inform the public of the tentative plans.
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