41 and Oconto and Peshtigo
Oconto has one advantage Shawano did not. The 41 bypass travels through Oconto’s west side, while the 29 bypass was routed two miles south of Shawano’s south city limits.
"If we have to have a four-lane highway around Oconto, we like it where it is," says Oconto Mayor Dan Nerenhausen. "It’s still touching Oconto, so that’s a big plus for us. If it was even half a mile out, we’d be lost."
The bypass doesn’t go into the city of Peshtigo, but the exit is at the city’s industrial park, which is at capacity and, according to state Tax Incremental Financing district regulations, can’t be expanded for seven years. The roundabout that is part of the interchange is designed for tractor–trailers, which Strouf calls "a godsend to those trucking companies and the other businesses that are there."
"The way it’s laid out, it’s almost like a through street," says Don Clewley, executive director of the Marinette County Association of Business & Industry. "I think most of the businesses get their business locally instead of through tourism."
Oconto is looking at a sign ordinance to allow billboards along the bypass route. It also plans signs to promote the city’s theme, "History on the Bay." Nerenhausen wants to develop a park along the Oconto River that would be partly visible from the bypass.
Peshtigo is working with the Town of Grover, where the west half of the bypass is located, to modify its sign ordinance to allow more signs for the city.
"That would really help us out," says Strouf. "Otherwise, if you’re eastbound, there’s no sign saying something about Peshtigo."
Oconto is also looking at improving the Wisconsin 22 entrance into Oconto. Part of the highway is being relocated as part of the project.
"We have to keep these people stopping in Oconto," says Nerenhausen. "Once we’ve got them off the road, we want to make 22 a real attractive entrance."
Oconto also is considering creating a Tax Incremental Financing district in the bypass area. City land along the bypass route is already zoned Highway Industrial, Highway Commercial and Light Industrial. The city also is working with developers on a "highway-oriented" use of the former Bond Pickle factory site.
"This is all new to everybody around here," says Nerenhausen. "You have no idea of what kind of stuff we’re going to get coming into the city."
"I think being proactive is the main thing," says Sengstock. "Community leaders have to work with the rest of the community to get past the ‘crisis’ and make it an opportunity. There needs to be leadership that, here, we’re going to take advantage of this opportunity and here’s how we’re going to do it."
