Copper Ridge Housing Project breaks ground in the City of Oconto

OCONTO – The City of Oconto has partnered with JMM Consulting on the upcoming Copper Ridge Multi-Family Housing Project, which officially broke ground on Wednesday, Aug. 12, on the northeast corner of Smith Avenue and Doran Street.

The 48-unit, multi-family complex will include four buildings consisting of 12 apartments with two bedrooms and attached garages as well as a central office and mailroom.

“We had a housing study done about a year and a half ago, and [more housing] is needed throughout Oconto County. So, we’re really pleased that these folks chose right here to build,” City of Oconto Mayor Cliff Martin said.

Martin also said that nature activities in the community and the future apartment’s highway access will be a draw to many people.

“I think we’re gonna draw people from the south that want to move up to a nice, quiet area,” he added.

The Copper Ridge Housing Project has been a joint effort coordinated by Martin, JMM Consulting Project Manager John Maas, Oconto LLC and Nicolet Lumber Company. It has also been funded in part by tax incremental financing through the creation of Tax Incremental District (TID) #6.

When property values increase in a TID, the new revenue goes into a special fund that the city then uses to pay for related improvements. A TID closes once the debts are paid and the entire tax base goes back to the standard taxing bodies.

Currently, JMM Consulting is projecting to begin construction this fall and complete the housing by the fall of 2027.