A rendering of a proposed lock system visitor center to be built at lock three located near Appleton’s Lawe Street. (Photo courtesy of Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA)
KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Economic uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to develop a lock system visitor center in the Fox Valley.
The board of directors of the Fox River Navigational System Authority (FRNSA) voted to stop the development of a visitor center slated for construction at lock three located near Appleton’s Lawe Street.
Plans had called for developing an interpretive center chronicling the history of the lock system in a multi-use building adjacent to the lock. It would have been seen as a major destination for school and group tours.
“Interpretive centers and museums across the country are either shut down or operating on reduced hours due to the pandemic,” said Jeremy Cords, CEO of FRNSA. “It is not responsible to invest substantial sums of money into this development when we are facing economic uncertainty and prolonged social distancing.”
Board members say its first responsibility is to maintain access to the lock system and complete necessary research in order to reopen the Menasha lock.
The Menasha lock was closed in 2015 to prevent the invasive round goby from reaching Lake Winnebago through the lock.
Officials are currently researching the effects of water velocity and an electronic barrier on the life cycle of the round goby.
Of the 17 locks on the lower Fox River, all have been restored and are in working order. Currently, nine of the locks are open for approximately 25 miles of navigation on the river.
The five Kaukauna locks are expected to open in 2021 when repairs to the Veterans Memorial lift Bridge in downtown Kaukauna are complete.
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