Oshkosh vision survey show preferences for green, downtown development

From an article by Amie Jo Schaenzer of The Northwestern (Oshkosh):

Results from a citywide visioning survey presented Monday evening during a public meeting are meant to pave the way for Oshkosh’s future, said consultant Tony Nelessen, of A. Nelessen Associates.

Nelessen, who conducted the survey, said other cities have overwhelmingly adopted results his firm has suggested and hopes to see Oshkosh do the same. The final draft of the survey should be available Friday.

“We did the same sort of survey in Milwaukee nine years ago and 80 percent of those results are now in place there,” said Nelessen in an interview following the packed meeting held at the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 N. Main St.

So if that’s the case for Oshkosh, what lies ahead? Results showed that the overwhelming majority of the 2,321 people that participated in the survey wanted to see Oshkosh further utilize its waterfront, create a more bicycle-friendly atmosphere, adopt initiatives that promote healthy choices for residents and pursue sustainability efforts.

Nelessen laid out priorities the city should take hold of first. Some of those include: having the city council adopt his vision plan as a non-binding resolution, completing construction of a walkway along the Fox River and adopting a sustainability action plan that includes an extensive tree-planting program.

He also pointed to Oshkosh’s poor infrastructure as one reason why the city’s image suffered. He said the survey showed people wanted narrower streets with wider sidewalks, landscaping and decorative lighting and bike paths.