By Missy Hughes
WEDC Secretary and CEO
Missy Hughes, WEDC Secretary and CEO
In nearly every community or business I visit, the conversation inevitably turns to housing.
It’s a simple equation: For communities and businesses to grow, residents and workers need places to live.
That’s why I’m so excited about the innovative approaches many communities are taking in finding new uses for existing buildings.
Across Wisconsin, former schools, stores, and even motels are providing much-needed alternatives to new residential construction—and in many cases, these projects are also giving an extra boost to local downtowns.
For example, in Shawano, Heather Pahl, co-owner of Martin Jewellers, turned the downtown building she owns into a renovated space combining residential and commercial uses. The renovations add character to the historic building, but perhaps more importantly, they address the city’s need for additional housing.
“Employees in Shawano can’t find housing and are living out of town and commuting in,” Pahl recently told WEDC. “In order to bring back that vibrancy downtown, second-story housing is critical.”
Similarly, in Rhinelander, a former Rodeway Inn is being converted into a 31-unit apartment building that will serve veterans, fixed-income seniors, and seasonal workers who often can’t find affordable housing nearby.
“These apartments are critical,” said Patrick Reagan, Rhinelander city administrator. “We have a housing shortage just like everybody else, and bringing more housing into the market is great. It’s important that we have housing that meets the needs of everyone in the community, not just those with deep pockets.”
Meanwhile, in Randolph, plans are underway to convert the former elementary and middle school, built in 1942, into 28 apartments and six condo units, with 26 of the apartments to be offered at below-market rates.
Village President Ken Ireland told Wisconsin Public Radio that the project will help meet one of Randolph’s greatest needs—senior housing—as well as freeing up existing homes for new residents.
Some older residents might want to downsize and rent apartments or buy condominiums. If those options aren’t available, “they stay in their homes, so then there isn’t that turnover of workforce housing available” for those who are looking for smaller, more affordable homes.
Creating an environment where businesses thrive starts with having communities where workers can find a place to call home.
Communities statewide are drawing on their strengths and finding creative new ways to meet current and future housing needs, and WEDC is proud to give them a boost.
