OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The plan by the city of Oshkosh to sell part of its city-owned golf course took a step forward Monday.
The city’s plan commission and advisory parks board approved the possible sale of the land.
Oshkosh is considering selling 35 acres of Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course to Oshkosh Corporation for its new headquarters.
During Monday’s meeting, ten people spoke to the boards about the golf course land sale. All ten said they support the sale.
Connie Drexler was one of them….
“We see this transaction as vital to the continued growth and prosperity of our community and feel the city must do everything in its power to retain Oshkosh Corporation’s leadership here.”
The sale cost would be $3.5 Million.
Three of the board members voted against the sale.
Some, like Tony Dirth, are concerned about the lack of a plan for the other 70 acres of the course.
“As part of the parks board our job is to make sure we’re protecting the land and the open use and the recreation for our community and with a lot of the unknowns still with this program besides what Oshkosh Corp is getting and what they’re saying, I don’t feel comfortable at this time saying ‘yea.’
The land sale is only part of the city’s pitch to Oshkosh Corporation.
The city would also spend about $7 million on infrastructure around the new headquarters and provide the company $6 million in tax breaks.
Allen Davis, the city’s community development director, spoke to FOX 11….
“We need to extend the utilities and the infrastructure to this site and the tax increment financing is based on the competitive nature that we’re dealing with.”
As part of the deal Davis says Oshkosh Corporation would need to ensure its new facility has $18.5 million in taxable value.
“Oshkosh Corp has to deliver the value for us to be able to give them any kind of incentive.”
The city council needs to approve the pitch and then so does Oshkosh Corporation. The company is getting several pitches from other communities.
Wednesday the city council is scheduled to discuss and vote on the full pitch to Oshkosh Corporation.
The company has said it thanks the city for developing a competitive offer.
