Menasha council hears residents’ concerns as tornado recovery shifts to rebuilding plans

Menasha Common Council held a meeting Monday night to talk about plans and hear from the public.

It’s now been more than three weeks since the tornado tore through the Fox Valley and clean-up of large debris has been the main focus.

Now, the city of Menasha is taking the first steps in discussing restoration and trying to rebuild neighborhoods.

“We’ve gotta take everything into account and do what’s best for the people, but it’s gonna be a long process. There’s no doubt about, Neenah, Menasha has never had anything like this,” District 6 Menasha Alderperson Tom Marshall said.

Marshall said the city is in the early stages of phase two of tornado clean up.

Currently, an Emergency Operation Council (EOC) is looking closely at a disaster recovery plan.

“They’re putting all phases together. What do we do next? Can we get some FEMA aid? Can we get some state aid? That’s what we’re hoping for because of the amount of devastation. But that’s gonna take a while,” Marshall said.

At a common council meeting Monday, Menasha residents voiced concerns about the rebuilding of their neighborhoods. Many worry about what will replace the now destroyed homes.

“I believe there is a place for growth, but I do not want this neighborhood to lose its identity and become filled with a large concentration of multi-family homes and apartment developments that can change the nature of our community,” Menasha resident Brody Spilski said.

Another resident is concerned some of the properties will be replaced with Habit for Humanity homes.

Some reminded council about the importance of learning a lesson from this devastating experience.

“We need to look at the houses that stood and did not collapse, and we need to think about how we build in the future,” Menasha resident Kristl Laux said.

Marshall recognized the area with the most destruction is also the poorest district in the city, but he agrees with some of the sentiment from residents.

“There’s a thing about helping [with] affordable housing, but we just can’t throw it up everywhere. We’re really gonna have to strategize and think about what do we wanna do,” Marshall said.

Marshall said there’s no timeline for when rebuilding could start but guesses it could take up to three years to replace.

More discussion on disaster recovery efforts is expected to take place during the council’s next meeting on Sept. 8.