APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Thrivent is getting the green light to move forward with its 600-acre redevelopment plan.
The company’s multi-use zoning request was approved by Appleton’s City Plan Commission Wednesday night.
“We’re looking forward to working with the city to realize the vision of this master plan,” said Eric Merriman, director of real estate and workplace services at Thrivent.
Merriman tells FOX 11 the space will greatly benefit the Appleton community.
“In this development we envision a mix of uses, we think we have great places for commercial, for office, residential of all times, and we think it’s going to create a great, vibrant community,” he said.
Merriman said approximately 30% of the 600 acres will be dedicated to green spaces, and there will be six miles of trails.
Thrivent has been active in seeking community feedback regarding the proposed changes.
Ben Evans, a field operations coordinator with the Wisconsin DNR, says the agency has an exhaust monitoring station on Thrivent’s property. Evans said the DNR would be open to altering the station to make it an educational spot for the public.
“Our monitoring site, could be almost like a public type place where people – if there is something in that plan – where they could come and see the equipment and learn a nature like thing,” he told the commission.
Members of the public raised concerns about the future of other properties near the site.
“I’m just concerned – I mean, a fair amount of my neighbors are as well – that property value is going to be affected by any sort of commercial developments,” explained one community member.
Merriman says they still have a lot of ground to cover before ground can be broken.
“Next, we’ll be starting to look at execution of phase 1,” he explained. “That will happen in the next few months, and construction will be several months out from that.”
Thrivent is actively seeking public feedback on their development plans. Visit their website to deliver feedback.
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