De Pere · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in De Pere, WI public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
One Barrel Brewing retail license
One Barrel Brewing Company at 303 Reid Street received approval for a full-service retail sales license, supporting its downtown taproom operations.
Business Improvement District 2027 operating plan
The plan sets how downtown properties are assessed ($2 per $1,000, $3,000 cap) and how roughly $166,000 is spent on downtown promotions, events, and visitor tracking. The budget is up about 7% from 2025.
Youth recreation project planning (skate park, ice rink, and other concepts)
The Signature Project subcommittee is discussing a possible skate park and ice rink, and Parks Department staff plan to visit a future meeting to hear teen ideas — including foot golf and a kickball tournament.
CLG subgrant for 405 S Wisconsin St
The commission wants to designate up to six local properties on state/federal historic registries, but funding was unavailable until July 2027, making the process competitive. Three property owners got letters of interest in August and none has responded, so outreach may need a second try.
Workforce Housing Near Humana
Two WHEDA applications — a 42-unit senior housing project near Chicago Street and cottage-style workforce housing on North Ashland — advanced with comp plan amendments, though neighbors raised concerns about density and property values.
Refurbishing Wisconsin Historical Society markers
The new historic/information kiosk sign for the De Pere Lock and Dam Historic District is now installed on the Riverwalk. It was approved by the DNR and the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway and matches the look of the city's other historic district signs.
Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendments
Two proposed map changes would re-designate land for multi-family residential — one on Chicago Street and one on North Ashland Avenue — signaling where housing could be built.
Downtown housing growth goal
Rezoning to RM-2 clears the way for an 82-84 unit apartment building near Southbridge Road.
Downtown walking tour expansion
A joint project with Downtown De Pere to refresh the historic downtown walking tour on their website. Work is just getting underway now that summer business activity is slowing down.
2535 Lawrence Drive land acquisition
The Redevelopment Authority is moving to buy the GG Rebuilders property at 2535 Lawrence Drive, tied to a condemnation process, for up to $440,000. The Common Council still has to give final approval before the deal closes.
Downtown shipping container conditional use
A downtown developer wants to use a shipping container as a food-and-beer venue behind Pasquale's and the future Nicolet Aleworks. Commissioners are wary of bare containers but intrigued enough to have staff draft design rules for a future vote.
Bellmark Plant 7 expansion zoning
Belmark, which took over a warehouse site originally planned for Bedford Paper, keeps expanding. The amendment extends its original deal — roughly $1.1 million in pay-go and land assistance over about 14 years — against an estimated $8.8 million increase in building value.
Street tree requirements in new subdivisions
New subdivisions will have to include street trees, with a fee letting the city plant them so the urban canopy is even and healthy instead of patchy. Alderperson Hansen has pushed this for years.
Main Avenue slope design
The city had to pick how to fix the weedy, unmowable slope by the railroad bridge on Main Avenue as part of the upcoming DOT project. Prairie plantings won out over half-a-million-dollar concrete — cheaper, prettier, and what most nearby residents wanted.
De Pere Parking Garage final payment
New parking rules for the rebuilt Williams Street and Wisconsin Avenue area — three-hour parking, a hotel loading zone, and restrictions in the Bungalows subdivision — plus a new stop sign at Preserve Court and Employers Boulevard.
NFL Alumni Youth Football Camp at VFW Park
A Packers-affiliated youth football camp for kids ages 6-14 will use VFW Park's field and shelter in June 2027 after losing its St. Norbert College site. The city earns a share of registration fees and the camp still needs a legal agreement and council approval.
Stormwater recognition and Wisconsin Stormwater Week
Stormwater Week runs September 19-27 with social media pushes and a mayoral proclamation. Commissioners want to do more — email campaigns to Adopt-a-Drain participants, yard signs, and possibly billboards — to grow the program.
Native gardens and planned natural landscapes in city parks
The commission reviewed proposed pollinator garden locations at four city parks and praised the native grasses and flowering plants going into city roundabouts. Emily Castellanos continues working with the Conservation Corps on planting projects.
City Government Restructuring
A commissioner proposed the city create a dedicated sustainability coordinator position, noting much of the workload falls on staff whose jobs it isn't. It would have to wait for the 2028 budget cycle, with a case statement and peer-city research from Green Bay to support it.
Compost reimbursement program sustainability
The city's composting reimbursement program has grown to about 24 active properties, with nearly all participants requesting their reimbursements. Members think more promotion could grow it further.
Sanitary Lateral Replacement Program Changes
The city is scaling back its generous lateral replacement program: instead of paying 100% for pipe bursting during street projects, residents will get a 50% match for work beyond the right-of-way. The city will also cover risers tied to deep sewer mains, and plans outreach to encourage participation.
Pedestrian Safety at Flicker and Red Wing
A resident asked for a stop sign near a popular new playground, but traffic counts were too low to warrant it. The board asked staff to take another look at a yield sign or crosswalk solution.
Business park development agreement with NSN Real Estate
Two new development agreements — Jim Cornell Plumbing and Bliffert De Pere Holdings — advance business park growth and the local tax base.
Carney Park playground surfacing replacement
Volunteer Park gets turf surfacing, Carney Park will be rebid after a lone expensive tile bid was rejected — part of the city's ongoing playground safety upgrades.