Longstanding Menasha eyesore will be demolished by Sonoco to improve riverfront views
Reader question: The Banta Lofts development in Menasha looks impressive, but what's the deal with the run-down building across the river? It's a disgrace.
Answer: The unused, dilapidated warehouse along the north side of the Fox River just downstream of the Menasha dam is owned by Sonoco, which purchased U.S. Paper Mills Corp. last year.
After years of neglect – trees are growing atop the warehouse – the mill plans to make some improvements to the property this year, starting with demolition.
"We will take those buildings down to the foundation and then put up a privacy fence," mill manager Tim Mathys told me.
Mathys said Sonoco has no immediate development plans for the area.
"We're just cleaning it up, more so because it's an eyesore for the public," he said. "We're trying to be good neighbors."
Mathys said the work would begin soon and be completed before the end of the year.
The property was the scene of a spectacular fire in 1964, when a four-story manufacturing plant and warehouse owned by Menasha Corp. burned down. Menasha Corp. subsequently built a new facility along Interstate 41 in Neenah.
I found conflicting information whether the current structure was part of the Menasha Corp. building or whether it was built after the site was cleared following the fire.
Menasha historian Steve Krueger walked through the warehouse in 2016 and documented it with photographs. He said the warehouse likely was built in the late 1960s, judging by the materials.
"Inside the building you can tell it was much newer than the buildings that would have been there for the fire," Krueger said.
More: Want an apartment overlooking the water? Here's how Menasha is capitalizing on its location
Watchdog Q&A: Duke Behnke answers your local government questions
Menasha identified the property as a concern in its 2017-2027 Downtown Vision Plan. It has this to say:
"The eastern tip of the area, where the Fox River and government canal split, is expected to become public open space. Until redevelopment occurs, the city should work with Sonoco to address the appearance of the parking lot and buildings on the site, especially the north-facing walls and unused warehouse along the river. Sonoco has made recent improvements to minimize dust and could also consider landscaping to screen views of the site."
Menasha Downtown Vision Plan
Sam Schroeder, Menasha's community development director, said talks with Sonoco have continued since then and now are leading to some progress.
Menasha is not providing any money to assist with the demolition.
Post-Crescent reporter Duke Behnke answers your questions about local government. Send questions to dbehnke@gannett.com or call him at 920-993-7176.
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This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Menasha eyesore will be razed by Sonoco to improve riverfront views
