Developers advance with new plans for Oconto Falls homes

OCONTO FALLS – The old Washington Middle School’s demolition in Oconto Falls has given way to a developer’s plans for 14 single-family homes at the site, putting to ease neighbors’ concerns about multifamily housing once discussed there.

The redevelopment is expected to generate new property-tax revenue for the city in the future.

“What intrigued me about the property was the ability to bring new construction to Oconto Falls, which hasn’t seen much of it in recent years,” developer Kevin Birr of Birr Investments LLC and Willow Construction Group said.

Birr is working with Jim Sehloff of TNT Surveyors on the redevelopment plans, which passed a hurdle on Feb. 10 by receiving approval from the Oconto Falls Planning Commission and Common Council.

Three-bedroom, two-bath 1,400-square-foot homes with two-car attached garages and front driveways would be offered at about $315,000, according to information presented at the planning commission meeting. The homes could include fourth bedrooms in the houses’ basements at an extra cost, Birr added.

The old Washington Middle School was torn down this past fall after the $38 million referendum-funded Oconto Falls Middle School opened. While some preservationists had asked the school board to repurpose the Washington School building — such as allowing the Oconto Falls Historical Society to use it as a museum — concerns about asbestos prompted the school board to approve plans for its demolition and look for a buyer. Green Bay realtor Adam Adler is representing Oconto Falls School District in the sale.

While the original plat showed 16 homes on the property, the “replat,” or redevelopment map, includes 14 homes with larger lot sizes. Corner lots could accommodate three-car garages, Birr said, noting he has four or five different floorplans available for single-family homes and hopes to build one of each this year. Multiple designs will provide variety, he said.
The redevelopment project is expected to qualify for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for new single-family housing, Wills said at the commission meeting and public hearing on the proposed “replat.”

“Right now what they’re requesting is that a preliminary plat approval in order to proceed for us to negotiate a TIF agreement with them and then to be able to purchase the property from the Oconto Falls School District,” Wills said.

The planning commission approved the replat of 2.8 acres at 102 S. Washington St., advancing it to the common council, which gave its approval as well. The replat map includes larger lots and eliminates a back alley in favor of an easement for city utilities running between two rows of homes. The utilities are expected to be installed underground, so no wires would be showing, Wills said.

Without an alley providing access to the back of the properties, planning commission member Chique Tousey-Tabar asked whether the setbacks between houses would be large enough for a vehicle to travel to the back yard.

The developers said about 10 feet would be provided between most of the houses, allowing room to drive a vehicle on the side of each house to the back yard. They recommended using a garden shed in the back to store mowers and garden tools.

Birr said the property is “under contract,” as he has reached a tentative deal with the school district to purchase it.

Mayor Clint Braun’s Facebook post alerted Birr to the property, he said. Currently, Birr is building new single-family homes in Berlin, west of Oshkosh, on larger lots with three-car garages.

The larger lot sizes represent an about-face from discussions a year ago. In March 2025, at a Main Street Committee meeting where discussion focused on the need for more multifamily housing in the city, Wills said other areas of Wisconsin are allowing micro housing units for veterans and previously homeless residents. “Let’s say if we did Washington Middle School. It allows you to go down to a 400-square foot unit for homeless vets,” Wills said then.

But Wills has changed his tune since then with a developer eager to get started building 1,400-square-foot single-family homes. Wills said the rear setback is 25 feet and the minimum lot width is 60 feet.

It was welcome news to neighbor Dick Marquardt who expressed concern about R2 zoning on Washington Street, as R2 allows for duplexes and other multifamily units.
“Single family homes are going to be more well maintained,” Marquardt said.

Wills said duplexes and multifamily housing would require two lots, according to city ordinance. Combining lots would require a public hearing.

Birr said his plan is for single-family homes.

“Should potential buyers have interest soon enough, I’d be happy to modify plans or change certain finishes to their liking,” he said.

“We are just waiting on a developer’s agreement to be finalized between myself and the city prior to me closing on the location and starting construction,” Birr said.

With the replat approved, Wills said the next step is to negotiate a TIF agreement with the developer to facilitate the purchase. The City of Oconto Planning Commission and Common Council will need to approve the development agreement, he said.