Each December, we highlight big things happening in the Fox Cities: new buildings, innovative organizations, changes and events that are impacting the people and the spaces in our communities.
This year, we decided to take inspiration from the issue name: The Big Idea. What do our leaders think could be the next big thing?
Whether wild and whimsical or down-to-earth and a current need, read on to discover some big ideas:
“If you were King/Queen for the day, what would you do/improve upon/change within the Fox Cities? What’s your ‘Big Idea’?”
Beau Bernhoft, Little Chute Village Administrator
“If I was King for the day my big idea would be to create an aqueduct system along the Fox River to create a unique taxi network for everyone. An aqueduct is a structure (often a bridge or series of bridges) that carries water over valleys or uneven terrain that can be used for water distribution or even travel. Knowing that the Fox River has many terrain challenges, making it difficult to navigate in a timely manner, building a modern aqueduct would be an incredibly unique feature to travel across the Fox Cities. Imagine taking a water taxi from Wrightstown all the way to downtown Appleton for dinner and a show or all the way up to Green Bay for a Packer game and avoid all that traffic! Aqueducts have been used for thousands of years for travel.
Sure, cars and freeways are still faster, sometimes it is about enjoying the journey. An aqueduct following the Fox River would be beautiful. This unique amenity would not only provide public transportation but would fit the theme of Fox Cities’ vibrant arts and culture. Something different that few places in the United States have. With our rich European heritage, we would be taking a piece of history with us for future generations to use.”
Pam Seidl, Executive Director, Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
“My big idea is a pool of unlimited funds to support our quality of place. Funds could be used for infrastructure like a light rail system running from Appleton International Airport to multiple locations throughout the area, including our beautiful waterfronts. Support would also be available for those organizations that provide the events that enhance the experiences for residents and visitors like Appleton Downtown Incorporated, Future Neenah, the Little Chute Business Association and the Greenville Lions to name a few. Without these groups programming, our area would not be as vibrant. I’d make sure our arts organizations get ample support to deliver diverse programming throughout the year – how about Mile of Music all year round? Finally, I would make updates to the Fox Cities Exhibition Center and add another fieldhouse to the Community First Champion Center so that we could continue to grow tourism in the Fox Cities.”
Walt Ulbricht, Winnebago County Supervisor for the UWO Fox Cities Campus and Member of its Board of Trustees
“In this holiday season, let’s reflect on our public treasures and how they enrich us. The closing of the UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities campus classes is scheduled for June 2025. And the popular Barlow Planetarium located there now confronts serious risk.
Under its commanding dome, nearly one million guests of all ages since 1998 have magically seen the wonders of the universe. The Barlow Planetarium, in the last year, served 60 school districts. About 30,000 total visitors experienced dazzling star shows and laser music presentations. Uniquely, it’s a premier life-long learning asset and tourist destination in the Fox Cities.
Keeping the Barlow Planetarium doors open at this critical period is a shared responsibility for us all. We must ensure that it continues to inspire us and our families in the magnificence of outer space – like the stunning imagery by the James Webb Telescope revealing star nurseries, NASA’s impending return to the Moon and America’s bold plans in the 2030s charting a historic course for humanity to Mars. But there’s a greater threat looming over the Barlow Planetarium. Currently, it operates an analog star projection system that is 26 years old with outmoded vacuum tubes and floppy disk drives. What’s required is an extensive upgrade, including advanced digital projectors, software, redesigned HVAC and new seats. This project also includes 10 new high-definition star shows, journeying us across our solar system, galaxies and into mysterious black holes. The necessary cost? $1.12 – $2.2 million. My holiday wish comprises three parts. First, more Fox Cities residents discover the exceptional Barlow Planetarium shows.
Second, we become engaged planetarium members. A dual annual membership with unlimited admission is $100 with generous benefits. And third, I envision 100 of us—individuals, companies and nonprofits—joining a broad-based fundraising campaign to secure the Barlow Planetarium, amazing us for the next two decades or more. Its future preservation will be a star-studded gift to everyone. Please visit the Barlow Planetarium at uwosh.edu/barlow or contact Dr. Teri Gee, Director, at [email protected] in supporting this vital renovation project.”
Mayor Austin Hammond, Menasha
“If I were King for the day my main goal would be to find ways to improve the quality of life for the residents in Menasha (and around the Fox Cities). I would do this by focusing on making our community more sustainable so that the Fox Cities is a healthy and vibrant place to live and visit. One way we can accomplish this is by continuing to modernize our infrastructure within the Fox Cities. This would include increased EV capabilities, high-speed rail, public transportation, and more safe opportunities for residents to walk, run and bike to wherever they need to be. I would also open the Menasha Lock to help with connectivity of our waterway throughout the Fox Cities.
High-speed rail running through the Fox Cities would help connect our residents with better travel opportunities. It would also help to make the Fox Cities a travel destination. This high-speed rail would connect residents to Minneapolis and down through Milwaukee and Chicago.
While moving forward to the 21st century with infrastructure upgrades, it would be a key priority to enhance and preserve historic buildings and areas throughout the Fox Cities for generations to come. Striking the right balance of modernization and preserving history for all our residents is incredibly important.
Lastly, I would work toward my goal of making the Fox Cities more sustainable by planting thousands of trees throughout the area, cleaning up our water, and finding ways to cut carbon emission to keep our community healthy and vibrant.
All of these goals are possible with much partnership and collaboration among the mayors throughout the Fox Cities, various government entities, our very own Chamber of the Year, nonprofits and the business community.”
Appleton Downtown Inc. Board of Directors
“The landscape and makeup of Downtown Appleton continues to evolve with new residential developments, the expanded and renewed Appleton Public Library, the new Trout Museum of Art and Lawrence University building, Fox Commons and renovated spaces in every block. The Appleton Downtown Inc and Business Improvement District Board of Directors play a unique role in the advancement of our vibrant community hub – so we asked them to submit their BIG Ideas for Downtown, and the responses were very inspiring! From transforming a portion of College Avenue into a pedestrian promenade to building a dog park to the creation of permanent event grounds. Additionally… a downtown grocery store, rooftop spaces, pet friendly amenities, a weekly holiday market, new cultural events, and a downtown entrepreneurship program.
Imagine if we combined some of these exciting ideas into one… closing a section of College Ave to create a walkable pedestrian only area. So many cities around the world are choosing space for people over cars like: Denver, Montreal, Barcelona, Santa Monica, New York, London, Seattle. The car free area could include a variety of amenities to accommodate outdoor dining, highlighted performance spaces, a seasonal modular stage, public art, accessible public restrooms, comfortable seating areas with propane fire pits, designated food truck areas, vendor kiosks to allow small businesses to pop up, decorative lighting, even a dog exercise area.
Vibrant public spaces and shared experiences that promote dynamic community engagement strengthen the social fabric and belonging for people of all ages and backgrounds. A people-centric designed destination would attract visitors and generate economic benefit for local businesses contributing to our overall economic vitality. To continue to position the Fox Cities as a premier destination for talent attraction, tourism, business and investment, we must prioritize the ongoing development and enhancement of our downtown. By creating a vibrant, dynamic, and attractive environment, we can attract new businesses, encourage existing businesses to expand, and stimulate economic growth throughout the region.”
