Neenah Next:
Downtown
Reimagined
Located along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin's Fox Valley, Neenah has successfully evolved from a manufacturing hub into a thriving center for office, retail and residential development.
Built on a strong foundation of public-private partnerships, downtown's transformation provided an opportunity to build on past successes while positioning the community for its next chapter of growth.
Building on its previous work with the City on the South Commercial Street Corridor Plan, RDG was selected to develop Neenah Next, a downtown master plan establishing a shared vision and actionable framework for continued revitalization. Organized around four signature themes of connectivity, development, waterfront and neighborhood. The plan aligns ongoing initiatives with new opportunities for investment, placemaking and stronger connections between downtown, surrounding neighborhoods and the waterfront.
Flexible implementation strategies allow the City to respond to evolving market conditions while maintaining a cohesive vision for the future. In just a few years, the plan has helped generate significant momentum. Public investment and a clear development vision have strengthened private-sector confidence, supporting the City's $2.2 million acquisition of a key downtown gateway site for a mixed-use development with more than 200 residential units and ground-floor commercial space. The completed six-story 201 West development adds retail, office space and 39 residential units, while nearby investment associated with the ThedaCare Medical Center is bringing 56 new townhomes to the area.
The plan has also advanced transformative public-space improvements. Arrowhead Park, a former industrial waterfront site, emerged as a signature opportunity, generating philanthropic support and prompting RDG to lead a more detailed design study, with construction anticipated in 2027. Along Wisconsin Avenue, $1.7 million has been committed toward improvements that will strengthen downtown's pedestrian environment and connect regional parks and trail networks. Additional investments include Alta Alley, a new pocket park supported by a state Vibrant Spaces Grant, and redesigned pedestrian crossings that enhance downtown accessibility and safety.
More than a vision for the future, Neenah Next has become a catalyst for action. By aligning public and private investment, strengthening community partnerships and identifying achievable priorities, RDG helped position downtown Neenah for continued economic vitality, enhanced connectivity and a stronger regional identity.