Community and Economic Development

The Community Development Department is here to help you discover why quality of life is serious business in Appleton.

Our mission is to deliver programs, administer regulations, and provide resources to:

» Present Appleton as a leader in the Fox Cities in which to live and do business,
» Promote comprehensive and smart growth concepts to ensure land use compatibility and quality built environments,
» Enhance and diversify the tax base through new construction and reinvestments in existing areas,
» Support improvements in the housing stock and advance the quality of our neighborhoods,
» Partner with the community in initiatives that promote Appleton as a vibrant area and improve the lives of Appleton's citizens.
Please visit our program areas for more detailed information on the resources of the Community Development Department.

2024 Calendar of meetings and deadlines for Community Development

PROPOSED CREATION OF NEW TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCING DISTRICT #13 IN

SOUTHPOINT COMMERCE PARK

The City of Appleton Community Development Department proposed a project plan and boundary for the creation of Tax Incremental District (TID) Number 13.  A Public Hearing was held at the Wednesday, June 28, 2023 City Plan Commission meeting.  Please click the following to view information from that meeting:  City Plan Commission Meeting of June 28.  The Common Council voted to approve the creation of TID 13 and the project plan and boundary  on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.  Please click the following to view information from that meeting:  Common Council Meeting of July 19.  The Joint Review Board approved the resolution to create TID 13 on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.  Please click the following to view information from that meeting:  Joint Review Board Meeting of August 2.  Questions can be directed to Kara Homan, Director of Community Development at (920) 832-6408 or by email at kara.homan@appleton.org

City of Appleton TID 13 is located in the City’s Southpoint Commerce Park, generally bounded by Plank Road, Coop Road, Midway Road, and along Quest Drive.  TID 13 will be designated as an “Industrial” TID based upon the finding that the area within TID 13 is suitable for industrial development within the meaning of Wisconsin Statute Section 66.1101 “Promotion of industry; industrial sites”.  This provides for the purchase, reservation and development of industrial sites by the City along with the installation of utilities and roadways.  The primary purpose of the TID is to install infrastructure between Coop Road and Eisenhower Drive, thereby creating more “ready to build” lots for the expansion of business and industry.

Proposed public project improvements may include, but are not limited to: construction and/or reconstruction of streets, sanitary sewer collection system, water distribution system, and storm water drainage facilities, installation or relocation of electric and/or natural gas service, telephone, fiber, and cable, environmental audits and remediation, promotion and development, professional services, financing costs and other related administrative costs, and land assembly, clearance and real estate acquisitions.

The City may enter into agreements with property owners, lessees, or developers for the purpose of sharing costs to encourage the desired kind of improvements based on the purpose of this District and assure tax base is generated sufficient to recover project costs.  Not every project will demand the same level of funding.  These payments would be negotiated on a project basis in order to attract new taxable property or rehabilitate existing property in the District.  No cash grants or loans will be provided until the Common Council adopts a development agreement and a copy of such agreement will be retained in the City’s official records for the TID.

Click on the following for the project plan and boundary:

Tax Incremental District No. 13 Project Plan and Boundary

COLLEGE NORTH NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN

What is the vision for the College North Neighborhood?  This area north of College Avenue includes the Appleton Public Library, Transit Center (the central hub of a regional transit system serving a 117 square-mile area with over 200,000 residents), churches, residential, commercial and privately owned surface parking, as well as a parking structure owned by the City.  Two (2) Tax Incremental Financing Districts (TIFs 3 & 11) are already established in this area.  Additionally, much of the area located north of College Avenue is located in an Opportunity Zone.  Strategic and ongoing investment in Downtown remains a top priority for the City, as does invigorating public and private investment.

In response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by staff, Council awarded the contract to RDG Planning & Design to prepare a College Avenue North Neighborhood Plan.  This plan provides a framework for future development for the area north of College Avenue that facilitates greater connectivity between the City, adjacent neighborhoods, existing businesses, and not-for-profits while recognizing the influences between buildings, social settings, and the surrounding environment.  Additionally, this plan builds upon the vision and goals of the City's Comprehensive Plan, identified and responded to current conditions and issues, and provided a market analysis, redevelopment alternatives, implementation plans and strategies.

The City of Appleton launched the College North Neighborhood Plan in the Fall of 2021 and finished in the Summer of 2022.  Over 100 people attended meetings, design studios, and a public open house, and over 6,400 people visited the project website.  A Steering Committee, formed with various public members, and a Technical Review Committee, made up of various City staff, were also heavily involved in offering input to the plan.

Below is the Final Plan that was approved by Common Council on August 3, 2022.

Executive Summary College North Neighborhood Plan July 2022

College North Neighborhood Plan July 2022

Please click on the following for the presentation slides that RDG provided and the link to the project website.

RDG Presentation Slides to Committee July 2022

planAPPLETON.com 

AMENDMENTS TO TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCING DISTRICTS #3 & #12

The goal of the amendments is to identify parcels that are undervalued/underutilized and spur economic development by moving them into TIDs.  TID No. 3 is no longer eligible for new projects.  The Tax Incremental District No. 3 Project Plan amendment subtracts 13 tax parcels from the District and adds them to Tax Incremental District No. 12.  The Tax Incremental District No. 12 Project Plan amendment adds to the District the 13 tax parcels being removed from Tax Incremental District No. 3 and 23 additional parcels.  The amendment also revises the kind, number and location of proposed public works or improvements within the District and the detailed list of project costs to add approximately $2.3 million or $2,345,594 in additional potential project cost expenditures.  Project costs include potential cash grants (development incentives), to be paid to owners, lessees or developers of land located within the District.

Click on the following for the project plan amendments:

Tax Incremental District No. 3 Project Plan Amendment

Tax Incremental District No. 12 Project Plan Amendment

TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCING DISTRICTS (TIFs #11 & #12) BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT GRANTS

The City of Appleton is now accepting applications for Business Enhancement Grants for properties located in the newly created Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIF) #11 and #12 in specified areas of Downtown Appleton.  Click on the following maps to determine your eligibility:  TIF #11 Boundary Map and TIF #12 Boundary Map  

Business Enhancement Grants are available for up to $7,000 maximum grant per project with a fifty-percent (50%) match required by the applicant.  Applicants may use ADI Façade Grant funds for twenty-five percent (25%) of the applicant match amount. 

In order to be eligible, the property must currently be used for commercial uses, or intended for commercial use upon completion of the project.   

Eligible projects improvements are for the exterior of the building and priority will be given to front facades.  Typical eligible project costs include, but are not limited to, labor, materials and design assistance for: 

1. Installation, restoration, repair or replacement of windows, doors, exterior walls, chimneys, or other architectural elements.
2. Exterior painting, only in conjunction with other physical improvements.
3. Removing false facades and other inappropriate additions.
4. Exterior work necessary for conversion to retail, office or other general commercial uses.
5. Masonry repair or cleaning, only in conjunction with other physical improvements.
6. Landscaping and fencing.
7. Parking lot improvements. 
8. Exterior improvements for the handicapped including, but not limited to, ramps, doors, door openers, walks, guardrails, no-slip materials or level platforms at doors.
9. Roof work.

The costs associated with any new signage, awning, marquees and related lighting and electrical fixtures are not eligible for the 50% grant reimbursement by the City but can be included in the applicant's 50% matching funds for the total project.

For more information, please review the Business Enhancement Grant Program Guidelines by clicking on the following: 

Business Enhancement Grant Program Guidelines TIF #11

Business Enhancement Grant Program Guidelines TIF #12

TIF Business Enhancement Grant Application

Owner/Applicant Satisfaction and Payment Request Form  

Send your completed application and attachments to the staff contact noted in the application packet.  Grants are awarded on a first-come, first serve basis.

Please contact Lily Paul, Economic Development Specialist at 920-832-6463 or email at:  lily.paul@appletonwi.gov for more details.

APPLETON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OFFERS CITYWIDE BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM

The Appleton Redevelopment Authority (ARA) has allocated $130,000 to a new Business Enhancement Grant Program to assist commercial property owners and tenants with façade and exterior improvements within the City of Appleton. The purpose of the Appleton Redevelopment Authority (ARA) Business Enhancement Grant Program is to encourage investments and improvements to commercial properties within the City of Appleton that are readily visible to the public.

The maximum grant award per project from ARA is $7,000 for property improvements. The ARA will consider applications for grants up to fifty percent (50%) of the total eligible project costs on a “first come first served” basis beginning August 25, 2020.

This program is modeled after the very successful Business Enhancement Grant program available in Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) Districts 11 and 12 which has helped spur investment of $531,672 in Downtown Appleton properties in the last 3 years.  Grants are available for any commercial property within the City of Appleton that is not located within TIF Districts 11 or 12.

“In light of COVID-19, businesses need our support now so they can continue to be a vibrant part of our community in the future. These Business Enhancement Grants will provide an opportunity to assist businesses throughout the City to help further the objectives of the Appleton Redevelopment Authority.”

-Marissa Downs, Chairperson
Appleton Redevelopment Authority

For more information and to complete an application, please click on the following:

ARA Business Enhancement Grant Application

ARA Business Enhancement Grant Program Guidelines

Owner/Applicant Satisfaction and Payment Request Form

Please contact Lily Paul, Economic Development Specialist at 920-832-6463 or email at:  lily.paul@appletonwi.gov for more details.

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